FIBROMYALGIA, TIME TO UNDERSTAND IT, MANAGE IT, LIVE WITH IT (AND NOT LET IT RUN YOUR LIFE).
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Understanding Fibromyalgia….
What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. “Tender points” refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. “Tender points” refers to tenderness that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other symptoms.
How Many People Have Fibromyalgia?
According to the American College of Rheumatology, Fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million Americans. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men can also be affected.
According to the American College of Rheumatology, Fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million Americans. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men can also be affected.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Although the cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories about causes or triggers of the disorder. Some scientists believe that the syndrome may be caused by an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.
Although the cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories about causes or triggers of the disorder. Some scientists believe that the syndrome may be caused by an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other disorders. 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 difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those of other disorders. 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.
Managing Fibromyalgia:
How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Treatment of Fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician, physical therapist, and patient may all play an active role in the management of fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness.
Treatment of Fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician, physical therapist, and patient may all play an active role in the management of fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness.
Heat and massage may also give short-term relief. Antidepressant medications may help elevate mood, improve quality of sleep, and relax muscles. Patients with Fibromyalgia may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication, physical therapy, and relaxation.
FIBROMYALGIA Key Words
Analgesic: A medication or treatment that relieves pain.
Arthritis: Literally means joint inflammation, but is often used to indicate a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the protective covering of internal organs.
Autoimmune disease: One in which the immune system destroys or attacks the patient’s own body tissue.
Cartilage: A tough, resilient tissue that covers and cushions the ends of the bones and absorbs shock.
Chronic disease: An illness that lasts for a long time.
Collagen: The main structural protein of skin, tendon, bone cartilage, and connective tissues.
Connective tissue: The supporting framework of the body and its internal organs.
Fibromyalgia: Sometimes called fibrositis, a chronic disorder that causes pain and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints. Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles, particularly those that support the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. The disorder includes widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Fibrous capsule: A tough wrapping of tendons and ligaments that surrounds the joint.
Flare: A period in which disease symptoms reappear or become worse.Genetic marker: A specific tissue type or gene, similar to a blood type, that is passed on from parents to their children. Some genetic markers are linked to certain rheumatic diseases.
Immune response:The reaction of the immune system against foreign substances. When this reaction occurs against substances or tissues within the body, it is called an autoimmune reaction.
Immune system: A complex system that normally protects the body from infections. It combines groups of cells, the chemicals that control them, and the chemicals they release.
Inflammation: A characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.
Joint: A junction where two bones meet. Most joints are composed of cartilage, joint space, fibrous capsule, synovium, and ligaments.
Joint space: The volume enclosed within the fibrous capsule and synovium.
Ligaments: Bands of cordlike tissue that connect bone to bone. Muscle: A structure composed of bundles of specialized cells that, when stimulated by nerve impulses, contract and produce movement.
Myopathies: Inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases of muscle.
Myositis: Inflammation of a muscle.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):A group of drugs, such as aspirin and aspirin-like drugs, used to reduce inflammation that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Raynaud’s phenomenon: A circulatory condition associated with spasms in the blood vessels of the fingers and toes causing them to change color. After exposure to cold, these areas turn white, then blue, and finally red.
Remission: A period during which symptoms of disease are reduced (partial remission) or disappear (complete remission).
Sicca syndrome: A condition manifested by dry eyes and dry mouth.
Sleep disorder: One in which a person has difficulty achieving restful, restorative sleep. In addition to other symptoms, patients with fibromyalgia usually have a sleep disorder.
Synovium: A tissue that surrounds and protects the joints. It produces synovial fluid that nourishes and lubricates the joints.
Tender points: Specific locations on the body that are painful, especially when pressed.
Tendons: Fibrous cords that connect muscle to bone.
Vasculitis: Inflammation in the blood vessels. It may occur throughout the body.
Arthritis: Literally means joint inflammation, but is often used to indicate a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the protective covering of internal organs.
Autoimmune disease: One in which the immune system destroys or attacks the patient’s own body tissue.
Cartilage: A tough, resilient tissue that covers and cushions the ends of the bones and absorbs shock.
Chronic disease: An illness that lasts for a long time.
Collagen: The main structural protein of skin, tendon, bone cartilage, and connective tissues.
Connective tissue: The supporting framework of the body and its internal organs.
Fibromyalgia: Sometimes called fibrositis, a chronic disorder that causes pain and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints. Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles, particularly those that support the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. The disorder includes widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Fibrous capsule: A tough wrapping of tendons and ligaments that surrounds the joint.
Flare: A period in which disease symptoms reappear or become worse.Genetic marker: A specific tissue type or gene, similar to a blood type, that is passed on from parents to their children. Some genetic markers are linked to certain rheumatic diseases.
Immune response:The reaction of the immune system against foreign substances. When this reaction occurs against substances or tissues within the body, it is called an autoimmune reaction.
Immune system: A complex system that normally protects the body from infections. It combines groups of cells, the chemicals that control them, and the chemicals they release.
Inflammation: A characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.
Joint: A junction where two bones meet. Most joints are composed of cartilage, joint space, fibrous capsule, synovium, and ligaments.
Joint space: The volume enclosed within the fibrous capsule and synovium.
Ligaments: Bands of cordlike tissue that connect bone to bone. Muscle: A structure composed of bundles of specialized cells that, when stimulated by nerve impulses, contract and produce movement.
Myopathies: Inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases of muscle.
Myositis: Inflammation of a muscle.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):A group of drugs, such as aspirin and aspirin-like drugs, used to reduce inflammation that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Raynaud’s phenomenon: A circulatory condition associated with spasms in the blood vessels of the fingers and toes causing them to change color. After exposure to cold, these areas turn white, then blue, and finally red.
Remission: A period during which symptoms of disease are reduced (partial remission) or disappear (complete remission).
Sicca syndrome: A condition manifested by dry eyes and dry mouth.
Sleep disorder: One in which a person has difficulty achieving restful, restorative sleep. In addition to other symptoms, patients with fibromyalgia usually have a sleep disorder.
Synovium: A tissue that surrounds and protects the joints. It produces synovial fluid that nourishes and lubricates the joints.
Tender points: Specific locations on the body that are painful, especially when pressed.
Tendons: Fibrous cords that connect muscle to bone.
Vasculitis: Inflammation in the blood vessels. It may occur throughout the body.
Living with Fibromyalgia:
Problem-Causing Foods
Fruits and Vegetables
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is a healthy diet for anyone, but is especially important for people with fibromyalgia. The National Fibromyalgia Association states that phytonutrients found in fruits and vegetables help to heal the body of inflammation, decrease pain and prevent other diseases. For example, they state that flavonoids in foods like apples and grapes reduce joint swelling while protecting against heart disease. Also, carotenoids, which are in leafy green vegetables and citrus fruits, may help to reduce some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia while protecting against lung cancer and skin cancer.
Raw Foods
Raw foods provide exceptionally good nutrition and may boost a person’s immune system, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. The association explains that eating raw foods like fruits, uncooked vegetables and nuts can help to maintain steady white blood cell counts so that the body is strong to fight off the effects of fibromyalgia.
The Best Diet for Fibromyalgia
The National Fibromyalgia Association recommends that people with fibromyalgia drink at least eight glasses of water each day and eat a well-balanced diet. While fruits and vegetables are healthy, especially when eaten raw, people with fibromyalgia also need protein from foods like meats and beans, healthy fats from foods like avocados and olive oil and fiber-rich whole grains.
Stress and its links to Fibromyalgia Symptoms
stress is your enemy
Stress is known as the silent killer. Stress has been attributed to heart problems, blood pressure problems and several other health problems and stress is also linked as a trigger for fibromyalgia. A stressful event in a person life may trigger the onset of fibromyalgia. Symptoms of fibromyalgia often occurs after an experience of mental shock or serious illness. It is believed that stress unmasks the fibromyalgia disorder in people who have a genetic disposition to it.Fibromyalgia is thought to be a central nervous system disorder in which either pain-sensing nerves are excessively sensitive, or the brain is extremely sensitive to pain impulses. People with fibromyalgia experience more pain when they are stressed. You need to control your stress levels as more stress will most definitely increase your fibromyalgia symptoms.By simply having fibromyalgia is stressful. FMS sufferers have to constantly deal with pain, mental cloudiness and overall fatigue and this by itself is stressful for anyone. Having problems accomplishing simple tasks around the house or at work can be stressful enough if you don’t even consider the financial implications that can arise if you are hindered from working your job properly.Not being able to accomplish things is stressful, especially if it affects your employment situation.Stress reduction is an important part of managing your fibromyalgia. Here are a few ways that may help alleviate some of your stress.1. Good self care. Eating right – a nutritious diet, regular exercise and ample rest are very important.2. Practice body awareness. Being aware about how your body feels and how it reacts to certain situations and tensions can help you better manage your fibromyalgia symptoms. Using relaxation and other techniques when the pain starts to begin can help you reduce the onset of fibromyalgia pain.3. Change the way you think. This takes practice, but it gives you a chance to respond to situations instead of reacting.
4. Keep a stress journal. Stress journals are a great way to keep track of your fibromyalgia triggers and what you did to reduce the pain. Being aware of your triggers will help you avoid the stressful situations that causes them.
5. Learn stress management techniques, such as visualization, meditation and breathing. These techniques will help you physically and mentally relax and decrease both pain and stress.
If you decrease your stress, you will probably experience less pain and fatigue from your fibromyalgia.
Slideshow: Easy Home Exercises to Manage Fibromyalgia Pain
Should You Exercise?
People with fibromyalgia get the same health benefits from exercise as other people — and more. Regular exercise combats fatigue and increases your energy. It makes your joints more flexible and improves sleep and mood. Exercise frees people with fibromyalgia to live a fuller life. Talk to your doctor before you begin exercising. Some exercises may not be recommended for patients and could be harmful.
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Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD on January 06, 2011
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL OR EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ARTICLE,
In my 30 years of practice, I have managed many cases of Fibromyalgia; they are challenging and my heart goes out to anyone who has this condition. There is always a solution especially for a condition that is body mind related, as most conditions are. I would love the opportunity to help you,
Please contact: Dr Tova Goldfine .052 420 1201 .drtovagoldfine@gmail.com
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