Fibromyalgia Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
ByChrisanne Sternal
General Health RSS Feed
Fibromyalgia is often referred to as the “Invisible” illness or “Imaginary” disease. It was not until 1992 that it became recognized as a true medical problem by the World Health Organization. There are a few reasons for this. Some say it’s because it is often very hard to diagnose since Fibromyalgia’s symptoms often mimic those of other diseases and illnesses. Others say that it took so long for the medical community to recognize the syndrome because over 80% of the people affected have been women. For decades doctors have been telling patients with Fibromyalgia that they are just hypochondriacs.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disorder characterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. The word fibromyalgia comes from the Latin term for fibrous tissue (fibro) and the Greek ones for muscle (myo) and pain (algia). Tender points are specific places on the body – on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, and upper and lower extremities – where people with fibromyalgia feel pain in response to slight pressure. Although fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritis-related condition, it is not truly a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Like arthritis, however, fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue, and it can interfere with a person’s ability to carry on daily activities. Also like arthritis, fibromyalgia is considered a rheumatic condition. You may wonder what exactly rheumatic means. Even physicians do not always agree on whether a disease is considered rheumatic. If you look up the word in the dictionary, you’ll find it comes from the Greek word rheum, which means flux – not an explanation that gives you a better understanding. In medicine, however, the term rheumatic means a medical condition that impairs the joints and/or soft tissues and causes chronic pain.
In addition to pain and fatigue, people who have fibromyalgia may experience:
• sleep disturbances
• morning stiffness
• headaches
• irritable bowel syndrome
• painful menstrual periods
• numbness or tingling of the extremities
• restless legs syndrome
• temperature sensitivity
• cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”)
• a variety of other symptoms
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Research shows that people with fibromyalgia typically see many doctors before receiving the diagnosis. One reason for this may be that pain and fatigue, the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, overlap with many other conditions. Therefore, doctors often have to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms before making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
Another reason is that there are currently no diagnostic laboratory tests for fibromyalgia; standard laboratory tests fail to reveal a physiologic reason for pain. Because there is no generally accepted, objective test for fibromyalgia, some doctors unfortunately may conclude a patient’s pain is not real, or they may tell the patient there is little they can do. A doctor familiar with fibromyalgia can make a diagnosis based on two criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The criteria include:
1. A history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months
2. The presence of tender points
Pain is considered to be widespread when it affects all four quadrants of the body; that is, you must have pain in both your right and left sides as well as above and below the waist to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia. ACR also has designated 18 sites on the body as possible tender points.
For a fibromyalgia diagnosis, a person must have 11 or more tender points. One of these predesignated sites is considered a true tender point only if the person feels pain upon the application of 4 kilograms of pressure to the site. People who have fibromyalgia certainly may feel pain at other sites, too, but those 18 standard possible sites on the body are the criteria used for classification.
To read more stories like this visit the Flexcin Blog for health advice, exercise tips, healthy recipes, stories from customers and even Flexcin special offers.
Information provided by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Flexcin & FlexPet are all-natural Joint Pain Supplements. The primary component of Flexcin & FlexPet is CM8, which relieves joint pain at its source, reduces inflammation and irritation of the joints and tissues. It has been helpful for many sufferers of arthritis, gout, bursitis, sports injuries and fibromyalgia. Flexcin and FlexPet are proudly manufactured in the United States in a state of the art facility under the strict guidelines of the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices.
Related Articles, Information, Products And Links
Related Articles on General Health
- General Health and Safety Good Habits
- 10 Smart eating habits
- Causes and home remedies for Asthma
- Avoiding Medical Mishaps: Medical Malpractice Attorney Gives Five Basic Tips For Patient Safety
- HEART HEALTH: Evening Primrose Oil -- The ‘King’s Cure-All’
- How the Little Things Add Up
- How to Get a Good Looking Body
- Why Walk? Benefits of Walking and the Wonder of Personal Rewards
- Bike Trips and . . . Diets? Changing Habits and Beating Barriers For a Better Life
- Benefits of Probiotics
- How to Maintain Healthy Joints
- How the brain believes
- Implementing computer workstation ergonomic posture is an investment in you
- What is Osteoarthritis?
- How Detoxification Helps a Drug and Alcohol Addicted Person
- What are Headaches?
- Time Management Skills to Help You Pass Your CPC Exam
- 8 Offbeat Spa Treatments !
- Find Training For Medical Careers Today!
- Sperm Count Enhancement
- Arthritis And Smoking - Know The Risks
- Wrinkles On Forehead
- Natural Remedies To Cure Constipation Problem
- How To Lose Weight And Inches From Your Arms, Thighs And Stomach Without Surgery Or Drugs
- Vaccinations For Children
- Home Remedies For Kidney Problem
- Natural Colon Cleanser For Constipation And Fatigue
- Suffering From Pain - Try Arthritis Herbal Remedies
- How To Get Rid Of Asthma
- Natural Treatment For Hemorrhoids
Latest Articles on General Health
-
Nutrition And Your Weight Loss Diet
If you are overweight and are prone to overeat through a constant feeling of hunger, it may be that you are not hungry for just food, but your body may actually be hungry for essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, oils, protein and other nutrients that are important for proper and healthy body function.... -
Nutrition And Wellness In Today's Generation
If you are overweight and are prone to overeat through a constant feeling of hunger, it may be that you are not hungry for just food, but your body may actually be hungry for essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, oils, protein and other nutrients that are important for proper and healthy body function.... -
High Blood Pressure Causes, Symptoms & Diet
When your heart beats, it squeezes blood from inside its chambers to the large arteries. This sudden bolus of blood causes normal arteries to expand like balloons do when they fill with air. The walls of arteries have sensors that allow arteries to expand with each pulse of blood.... -
Eye Shadow Make-up Tips
Your make up can make a statement on how you look. You can cover those tired eyes or enhance your charming lips. Choose the right make up style according to the occasion. You can apply a more natural and modest look when going to work and put on those smoky eyes with a little bit of dramatic look for a night out with friends.... -
Treatment Of Acid Reflux
Heartburn may be the most common physical problem known to man, at least in America where we eat just about anything at anytime. This article will take a brief look at the symptoms and treatment of acid reflux disease and hopefully it will help you to gain victory over your suffering. I believe if you follow what is here you can achieve relief.... -
Bodybuilding Training Tips
The first point of note is that a body builder doesn't necessarily need dietary supplements to gain huge muscles. Any form of exercise, when done to the point of exhaustion over and over again, can stop being fun and start being an ordeal. And many people facing ordeals find it easy to avoid them. If your body building workout feels like it is becoming an ordeal, you need to take a break. ... -
Dry Drowning
Pool safety covers are generally available in mesh and in solid fabrics. Mesh pool covers are a popular option in pool safety today. Mesh swimming pool safety covers are designed for both safety and maintenance, and, most often, they are chosen by pool owners who either use their pools infrequently or wish to close the pools down after the swim season has passed.... -
Treat Yeast Infection
Yeast infection may well be the most common affliction suffered by women in their lives, so shouldn't there be several sort of solution to this predicament? The regrettable detail, however, is that most women out there are even now looking for some sort of yeast infection treatment that will rid them of the burden once and for all.... -
How To Get A Flat Stomach
If you want to learn how to get a flat stomach fast then you need to avoid some of the more common mistakes people make along the way. I'm going to briefly cover three main points that will help get you to your physical objectives in the least amount of time.... -
Points To Consider While Choosing The Best Medical Billing School
Medical billing school offers medical billing training on various medical billing courses. But choosing a best medical billing school is also very important. Keeping all this in mind and you’ll definitely choose a good medical billing school for yourself. Medical billing training is easy to pursue and is very helpful for you in seeking good business opportunities....
