Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a musculoskeletal illness (which causes chronic pain) and a chronic fatigue disorder. It can also change sleep patterns and cause the following: digestive disorders, chronic headaches, painful menstrual periods, temperature sensitivity, morning stiffness, numbness or tingling of extremities, and even cognitive memory problems. The name fibromyalgia comes from "fibro" in Latin meaning tissue, "my" in Greek meaning muscle, and "algia" (also Greek) meaning pain.(source 5)
Because symptoms are wide - ranged and studies for treatment of FMS did not begin until the 1980's, it is one of the most popularly misdiagnosed conditions in the medical world. The main symptoms are widespread pain and fatigue as well
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(Source 1) Other sources do agree that fibromyalgia patients seem to process pain differently. There is more nerve growth in the spinal cord of fibromyalgic patients than normal. The role of genetics is also being studied. Because this is such an elusive disorder, there is still so much more to be learned about it.
Diagnosis of FMS is often very difficult. There are many different symptoms that seem to be unrelated. Some of the symptoms such as fatigue overlap with many other diseases. A patient will often have to visit many different doctors before being properly diagnosed. Also, there currently is no lab test to rule whether or not a patient actually has FMS. As physicians become more aware of the disorder and its classic symptoms, it will be easier for them to diagnose it. Still, many other diseases and disorders must first be ruled out before the patient is diagnosed as having fibromyalgia. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has established some criteria for diagnosis: more than three months of muscular pain and tender points, there must be pain in all four quadrants of the body (top, bottom, left, right), and there must be at least eleven tender points (the ACR has established eighteen of these points). (Source 1)
Treatments for fibromyalgic patients may include any and/or all of the following: pain and sleep medication, anti-depressants, healthy diet, physical therapy, and
Fibromyalgia has been described as a full-body migraine. Another common explanation is to compare everyday life with FMS as being similar to the aches and pains associated with a severe
B. Treatments: There is no cure for this disorder, but it can be managed. Being able to live a “normal as possible life” is one of the main focus of treatment (Somatoform Disorders). They will in all probability still have some pain and symptoms. There is one good thing; about this disorder it will not shorten your life. Your physician may prescribe medicine for your symptoms, but in most cases it is not needed. Making your regularly scheduled appointments will help maintain your health.
Have you ever wondered what fibromyalgia is or how people living with it felt? People with fibromyalgia experience pain in ways no one else can really understand. Fibromyalgia is no mystery and it is caused by biofilm bacteria. Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread of musculoskeletal and chronic pain disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout your entire body. I effects people physically, mentally, and socially. The pain experience is described as deep muscular aching, shooting, throbbing or stabbing pain. It can occur in people of all ages including children and there is no cure for fibromyalgia but the pain can be controlled by a variety of medications. Fibromyalgia is one of the most common chronic pain conditions. It effects more than 5 million people in the United States, mostly women have it but men can have it to.
MG may be difficult to diagnose and may not be determined for a couple of years. Reasons are as follows: the onset is gradual with the symptoms worsening over time, weakness and fatigue can also be signs and symptoms of other diseases, one or more of the voluntary muscle groups may experience weakness and with different degrees of severity, and also every patient may experiences the disease differently. After the medical history and physical examination, the physician may see a need for further muscle and neurological tests. Blood tests can detect abnormal antibodies. Nerve conduction studies and repetitive stimulation tests the nerve’s communication with the muscle. When stimulated a number of times the test will indicate muscle weakness. Single-fiber (EMG) electromyography is a test that measures the communication between the nerve and a muscle by inserting a small needle into a single muscle and recording the electrical muscle activity. CT scan or MRI may be ordered to check for
Many people do not realize what effects your body can get when it does not have the proper physical needs to stay strong and healthy. One of the effects is a rheumatic syndrome called FIBROMYALGIA, also known as Fibrositis and Myofasical pain syndrome. This syndrome is diagnosed with a history of at least three months of widespread pain and tenderness in eleven to eighteen of tender-point sites. These points include: the neck, the shoulders, the chest, the rib cage, the lower back, the thighs, the knees, the arms(mainly the elbows), and the buttocks. The pain in these areas is defined as an overwhelming characteristic of FIBROMYALGIA and is long standing. These points are the trigger points,
No single test detects MS, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Symptoms can mimic those of a number of other conditions and they can change depending on the area of the central nervous system that
There are many hypotheses as to what actually causes Fibromyalgia. Many scientists believe that FMS is caused through from a combination of multiple physical and emotional stressors. Other theories include having hormonal disturbances, stress, and/or it being hereditary (genetics). It is theorized that lower levels of a brain neurotransmitter called serotonin leads to lowered pain thresholds or an increase in sensitivity to pain. Serotonin is associated with a calming, anxiety-reducing reaction. The lowered pain thresholds in fibromyalgia patients could be possibly due to the decreasing efficacy of the body's natural endorphin painkillers and the growing presence of a chemical called "substance P." Substance P amplifies pain signals. Studies
Like the world around us the medical field is always changing. It is always pushing forward, trying to understand mysteries of the human body that have boggled researchers for decades. What confuses scientists more, are the organisms or conditions that create these abnormalities that can send the human body into a downward spiral. Disease is something that has affected human civilization since the dawn of time. It can either be chronic or acute, but in either case it has the potential to bring havoc to the human body systems that can lead to devastating consequences. Generally there are two main types of diseases, ones caused by invading pathogens and those which are hereditary. One hereditary disease that can be particularly tragic is
Smith suffered from multiple sclerosis for several years and he considered his illness to be severed because it is very difficult for him to walk around in the house, exercise, and drive without him experiencing continuous pain and numbness in the body. Pain that associated with MS range between 57% to 65% and clients with MS are more likely to complain of having moderate to severe pain that affect activities of daily living (Lalkhen, Bedford, & Dwyer, 2012). It is difficult for him work because of the constant pain his is going through and decrease muscle weakness. Neuropathic pain is a nerve damage that is associated with MS and clients experience numbness, tightness, burning, crawling, and needles pain in the joints (D’Arcy, 2012). His typical day start with him his son dressing him up and getting his usual bagel and coffee ready for him. After breakfast, he watches football on TV if it is Sunday, and he usually end up sleeping in his recliner for few hours. In the afternoon, his grandchildren come to take him out to eat lunch, and spend quality of time interacting with him. MS affects his ability to shower himself, walk outside, cook, clean the house, go grocery shopping, play soccer with his grandchildren, and go on family vacation (J. Smith, personal communication, March 25,
Fibromyalgia was initially thought to be a musculoskeletal syndrome since maximum of the pain was felt in the muscles and other soft tissue. However, recent studies and research have shown that fibromyalgia is a central nervous system ailment which causes uncharacteristic pain processing and leads in pain amplification. The three chief symptoms that are common to virtually everybody who struggles with fibromyalgia are pain, tiredness and sleep disorders.
Sarina ChohanMs.TomlinsonEnglish Two28 March 2017Narrative EssayNostalgia for Today It was a night where all you have is a memory, there happen to be no receipts no pictures, to the outside world it is as if it never happened. I heard a heavy knock at my door,“I’ll get it mum!” I burst out as I bolted towards the door. Calista walked in calmly and with a smile on her face.“I hope you don’t mind, I brought myself burger king” she chuckled and I laughed with her. Nydia showed up fifteen minutes late and we infiltrated my mom's Honda. Jordan's’ house was on the way to Candy Cane lane so we picked him up and with the new addition the car was jam packed. I maintained a small talk with my mom as the three of them sat in the back joking amongst themselves. Each time there was silence, I
Fibromyalgia (FM) pain and symptoms can be reduced through a life-style change. It is a challenge but it is possible. The patient must keep in mind that action is power. The patient must be aware that medications alone are not enough to treat FM. Lifestyle changes are necessary and essential for the treatment of symptoms and for pain relief. The person affected with FM must learn to be proactive. Good sleep is associated with a good lifestyle, but without restorative rest the patient cannot progress in the treatment of FM. Insomnia, which is common in FM patients, must be treated. A good diet is necessary; the patient must avoid foods that trigger or worsen the symptoms. To minimize the pain and fatigue, the patient must make lifestyle adjustments.
Main Content: Many of us simply have no knowledge about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). This happens because symptoms of chronic Fatigue Syndrome are similar with the symptoms of other diseases, which makes it difficult for patients and even doctors sometime to determine if a person is suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or not?
Thankfully, it is hard for most people to imagine a tiredness and weakness of body that would keep one confined to a bed. There are people today who have lived a very active lifestyle for years and have suddenly found themselves burdened by a feeling of bodily weariness they never knew was possible. It all happens so swiftly and surprisingly that many are terrified by these changes taking place.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue.” Additionally the Centers for Disease Control states, “The main symptom of CFS is severe fatigue that lasts for six or more months.” For people to be diagnosed with CFS they need to have at least four of the other symptoms. One of the