What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder for which the cause is still unknown. Fibromyalgia means pain in the fibrous tissues in the body.
The pain comes from the connective tissues, such as the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. FMS does not involve the joints, as does rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Most patients with fibromyalgia say that they ache all over. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch and at other times they burn. More women than men are afflicted with fibromyalgia, but it shows up in people of all ages.
What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
There are many symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia however the most common are:
- Pain - The pain of Fibromalgia has no boundries. Sufferers often say that the pain and stiffness is worse in the morning and then eases throughout the day. People with Fibromyalgia suffer chronic widespread pain, which can be described as throbbing, shooting, burning or stabbing, Painful areas often include the upper back, shoulders, neck, the low back, and other areas around the joints. Many people will say, "I hurt all over."
- Fatigue - This symptom can be mild in some patients and yet severe in others. Patients with Fatigue often say that they feel as though they have flu all the time and are physically unable to do anything. Others also say that they feel as though their legs and arms are concrete blocks and that they can't move.
- Chronic Headaches - Reccurent migraines or tension-type headaches are experienced in 50% of Fibromyalgia patients.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Constipation, diarrhoea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas and nausea represents symptoms frequently found in roughly 40% to 70% of fibromyalgia patients.
- Increased Senstivity - Fibromyalgia sufferers may be extremely sensitive to Lights, Odours, Bright Lights, Medications and various common foods.
- Sleep Disorders - Researchers have found that Fibromyalgia sufferers fall asleep without much trouble but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity.
Other common symptoms of Fibromyalgia are morning stiffness, chest pains, painful menstrual periods, muscle twitching, the feeling of swollen limbs, dry eyes and mouth, dizziness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbnes and tingling sensations, irritable bladder and co-ordination problems can occur in some patients.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Researchers and Doctors still aren't sure what causes Fibromyalgia but there are many triggering events thought to precipitate its onset. A few examples would be an infection (viral or bacterial), an automobile accident or the development of another disorder, such as Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or hypothyroidism. These triggering events probably don't cause FMS, but rather, they may awaken an underlying abnormality.
How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other disorders. The Doctor reviews the patients medical history and makes a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia based on a history of chronic widespread pain that persists for more than 3 months.
What treatment options are available to me?
Since the cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, there is currently no cure unfortunately. Symptoms can be managed though by the use of medications and exercising (physiotherapy etc)
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