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What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)?
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), or
fibromyalgia for short, is musculoskeletal disorder that causes pain in the
muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body.
Usually, patients experience the pain of fibromyalgia most acutely during rest.
FMS can occur in people of any age, but more women than men have FMS.
What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?
Many people with FMS say that their entire bodies
ache. Their muscles may feel like they have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes
the muscles twitch or burn. The muscle ache symptoms and fatigue felt by people
with FMS can feel like the flu. FMS symptoms vary from person to person, but the
common symptoms are:
- pain,
- fatigue, and
- sleep disturbances.
What causes fibromyalgia?
The exact cause of FMS is not known, but there are triggering
events that may make the condition more likely to occur. Some triggers include
infection (viral or bacterial), automobile accidents, or the development of
another disorder (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism, for example).
While these triggering events probably do not cause FMS, they may awaken a
physiological abnormality that was already present but previously unnoticed.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed?
Doctors apply pressure on 18 tender point sites on the patient’s
body to diagnose fibromyalgia. Patients must have chronic, widespread,
musculoskeletal pain that lasts longer than three months in all four quadrants
of the body. These quadrants are above and below the waist and on both sides of
the body. In addition, back pain of some kind must be present.
How is fibromyalgia treated?
Traditional treatments for FMS are meant to improve sleep
quality and limit pain. Deep level sleep is necessary for many body functions.
These functions include tissue repair; antibody production; and the regulation
of various neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit signals between
nerve cells), hormones, and immune system chemicals. For this reason, the sleep
disorders that frequently occur in FMS patients are treated first.
In many cases, medications to increase the body's level of serotonin
and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters that modulate sleep, pain, and
immune system function) are prescribed in low doses. Some of the medicines used
to aid sleep include zolpidem tartrate (brand name Ambien), clonazepam, and
trazadone.
In addition to medications, most patients will need to use
other treatment methods as well. These may include:
- injections with lidocaine
into the pain sites (called trigger points)
- physical or occupational
therapy
- acupuncture or acupressure
- relaxation/biofeedback
techniques
- osteopathic manipulation (a
whole system of evaluation and treatment designed to achieve and maintain
health by restoring normal function to the body)
- chiropractic care
- therapeutic massage
- a gentle exercise program.
Lifestyle modifications may help patients conserve energy and
minimize pain. People with fibromyalgia often find that it is not possible to
remain as active as they once were. A main component of lifestyle management is
listening to your body and not trying to "over-do." Your doctor may be
able to help you develop strategies to manage your lifestyle, or may refer you
to a therapist who can work with you to change your daily activities to suit
your situation.
Can fibromyalgia be prevented?
There is no known or specific way to prevent fibromyalgia. It
is your best interest, however, to remain as healthy as possible. Maintaining a
good diet, doing safe exercise, and getting adequate rest are good rules to
follow if you hope to prevent any medical condition, including fibromyalgia.
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