Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a collection of symptoms characterized by muscle pain, stiffness and fatigue. It is called a “syndrome” rather than a “disease” because there is no specific diagnostic test that confirms or denies its existence. There is no known cause…or cure.

Rather, it is a confusing and frustrating collection of symptoms, which come and go and vary in intensity. Its chief characteristic is widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, stiffness, fatigue and non-restorative sleep.

While it is not life threatening it totally redefines a person’s quality of life. It can be as debilitating as rheumatoid arthritis. The pain is diffuse and widespread. We are not talking about the pain and stiffness that results from a weekend of overdoing it in the yard or on the gulf course. People with Fibromyalgia (FMS) report that they ache all over, like constantly feeling as if they have the flu. FMS people are tired all of the time, some sleep poorly and are stiff when they wake up or sit for extended periods of time. It is particularly frustrating because the sufferer may appear so healthy and normal on the outside but feel so miserable on the inside.

CAUSES OF FIBROMYALGIA: FMS has no known cause and it affects 5% to 10% of the population. Eight times more women are affected than men and it strikes all ages. It is often found in the company of other conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS), spastic bladder (urinary urge incontinence), headaches, myofascial pain, mitral valve prolapse and chronic fatigue. Although the cause remains elusive, there are many common triggering events thought to precipitate the onset of the illness. Some other causes are infections, (viral or bacterial), automobile accidents, a hysterectomy, surgery, or the development of another disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or hypothyroidism.

SYMPTOMS OF FIBROMYALGIA:
The most important clinical features of FMS, the key symptoms a physician looks for, are widespread pain and diffuse aching which has lasted for a period of three or more months, stiffness and fatigue coupled with a physical examination that demonstrates multiple tender points in specific areas.

Fibromyalgia has been called several other names such as Fibrositis, Myofibrositis or Fibromyositis. It is sometimes called Psychogenic Rheumatism. These are all accurate terms.

TREATMENT OF FIBROMYALGIA:
Traditional treatments aim at improving the quality of sleep and reducing pain. Recent research confirms that a multidisciplinary approach to treating FMS provides the greatest relief from symptoms and the best prognosis. This approach includes improving the quality of sleep, proper nutrition, physical conditioning, deep relaxation and positive mental imagery. By combining therapies, a person can frequently return to a healthier state and a more active lifestyle.

In one study published in the Journal of Rheumatology, 40 Fibromyalgia patients were randomly assigned to treatment with either Hypnotherapy or Physical Therapy for 12 weeks and followed up at 24 weeks. The patients in the Hypnotherapy group showed a significantly better outcome with respect to pain reduction, fatigue on awakening, sleep patterns, and global assessment at 12 and 24 weeks. In addition, those patients treated with Hypnotherapy showed a significant improvement in their overall levels of discomfort.

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