Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that is characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, IBS, sleep disturbances, anxiety, morning stiffness, cognitive dysfunction (Fibro Fog) and multiple tender points. The tender points Fibromyalgia patients have are tenderness in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips.
Fibromyalgia primarily affects women, but men and children are not immune either. There are anywhere from 3 - 6 million people in the United States who have Fibromyalgia.
The cause or causes of Fibromyalgia are unknown but researchers have a theory that the illness is triggered by some sort of injury or trauma that affects the central nervous system. Other theories are that Fibromyalgia may be triggered by a virus or infectious agent.
There is not a blood test that will diagnose Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is made through a pattern of symptoms the patient relates to the physician and by excluding other illnesses. According to ImmuneSupport.com:
The physician reviews the patient’s medical history and makes a diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on a history of chronic widespread pain that persists for more than 3 months. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has developed criteria for fibromyalgia that physicians can use in diagnosing the disorder. According to ACR criteria, a person is considered to have fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain in combination with tenderness in at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites.
Fibromyalgia is treated by using different medications and therapies. Lyrica was the first FDA approved drug for the specific treatment of Fibromyalgia in 2007. Lyrica is used to help treat pain, fatigue and to improve the quality of life in FM patients. Antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, sleep aids, painkillers and muscle relaxants are used to help treat Fibromyalgia also.
Water therapy, mild exercise, heat, massage and chiropractic care are other therapies Fibromyalgia patients use.
Fibromyalgia affects each individual in a different way. Some patients may have few symptoms that merely are an inconvenience to their daily lives while other patients may be disabled.
Some great online resources for Fibromyalgia are:
National Fibromyalgia Association
Sandy Robinson also is the blogger for her own website, Fighting Fatigue and the Fighting Fatigue Forum. On the WebbleYou Network, Sandy is co-blogger for the American Idolist blog.
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