yulius hermanto
Understanding Fibromyalgia
Introduction
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a well known disease of human population, that cause the chronic widespread pain. The prevalence of fibromyalgia only surpassed by osteoarthritis as the most common diagnosis among patients seen in rheumatology offices. This problems often found in women than men, about 4 times more frequently.
Recently, there is less known about fibomyalgia, some say it as "unexplained clinical conditions" or "functional somatic syndromes" that are characterized more by symptoms, suffering, and disability than by consistent tissue abnormality. Therefore, there have been suggestions that fibromyalgia may represent a form of somatization disorder.
Fibromyalgia patients usually comes to clinics with a number of symptoms beyond pain. Fatigue is cited as a significant cause of morbidity for the vast majority of the patients. Subjective sleep disturbances, particularly in the form of non restorative sleep, are reported to occur in over three-quarters of patients. A majority of patients complain of difficulties with concentration and memory, a situation that has been termed "fibro fog." Approximately 20-40% of fibromyalgia patients also have an identifiable current mood disorder such as depression or anxiety disorder at the time of diagnosis, with a lifetime incidence as high as 70%.
When The Symptoms Occurs
Fibromyalgia usually causes symptoms that begin between ages 25 and 45, but children can also have fibromyalgia. In fact, physicians have identified fibromyalgia developing in toddlers, and some researchers believe that the first trigger points of myofascial pain syndrome, a disorder commonly coexisting with fibromyalgia, may cause severe colic symptoms in some infants.
In addition, a traumatic physical injury, such as an automobile accident, or an extremely traumatic emotional event, has been known to cause the onset of fibromyalgia. However, the vast majority of fibromyalgia patients, around 80%, are unable to identify a trigger event that initiated the first obvious “flare” of the syndrome. In addition, there may be a genetic tendency in some individuals to develop the syndrome; fibromyalgia tends to run in families.
Beyond Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia patients display quantitative abnormalities in pain perception, in the form of both allodynia-perceiving pain even from a non-painful stimulus, such as light touch-and hyperalgesia-an augmentation of pain processing in which a painful stimulus is magnified and perceived with higher intensity than it would be by a normal volunteer.
In theory, such a state can conceptually result from widespread changes within the target organs (i.e., skin, muscles, etc.), from alterations in pain processing within the central nervous system, or some combination of both processes. Another explanation about fibromyalgia that Fibromyalgia pain was a result of peripheral abnormalities, particularly alterations in skeletal muscle. However, more recent studies have generally failed to confirm the presence of such alterations, though it is recognized that peripheral insults may play a role in instigating or maintaining fibromyalgia. On the other hand, supporting evidences posited the role of altered central pain processing (ie, "central sensitization") as underlying the pain of fibromyalgia.
How is Fibromyalgia Diagnose
Doctors diagnose fibromyalgia based on a patient's symptoms and physical exam. Patients experience pain and stiffness in the muscles, but there are no measurable findings on X-rays or lab tests. While fibromyalgia does not damage the joints or organs, the constant aches and fatigue can have a significant impact on daily life.
One of the unique aspects of fibromyalgia is the presence of tender points in specific locations on the body. When these points are pressed, people with fibromyalgia feel pain, while people without the condition only feel pressure.
Management of Fibromyalgia
The goal of fibromyalgia treatment is to minimize pain, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders. Doctors may recommend medications that help ease your symptoms -- ranging from familiar over-the-counter pain relievers to prescription drugs.
Besides drugs, an exercise can relieve several fibromyalgia symptoms. Physical activity can reduce pain and improve fitness. Exercising just three times a week has also been shown to relieve fatigue and depression. Walking, stretching, and water aerobics are good forms of exercise to start with for people with fibromyalgia.
Acupunture - Formal studies have produced mixed results on the use of acupuncture for fibromyalgia, but some patients say it eases their symptoms. This traditional Chinese practice involves inserting thin needles at key points on the body. Acupressure stimulates the same pressure points and may be a good alternative for people who want to avoid needles.
Many people with fibromyalgia have trouble concentrating, a phenomenon known as fibro fog. Treatment for pain and insomnia may help patients, there are other steps you can take to improve concentration. Write notes about things you need to remember, keep your mind active by reading or doing puzzles, and break tasks up into small, manageable steps.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), a well known disease of human population, that cause the chronic widespread pain. The prevalence of fibromyalgia only surpassed by osteoarthritis as the most common diagnosis among patients seen in rheumatology offices. This problems often found in women than men, about 4 times more frequently.
Recently, there is less known about fibomyalgia, some say it as "unexplained clinical conditions" or "functional somatic syndromes" that are characterized more by symptoms, suffering, and disability than by consistent tissue abnormality. Therefore, there have been suggestions that fibromyalgia may represent a form of somatization disorder.
Fibromyalgia patients usually comes to clinics with a number of symptoms beyond pain. Fatigue is cited as a significant cause of morbidity for the vast majority of the patients. Subjective sleep disturbances, particularly in the form of non restorative sleep, are reported to occur in over three-quarters of patients. A majority of patients complain of difficulties with concentration and memory, a situation that has been termed "fibro fog." Approximately 20-40% of fibromyalgia patients also have an identifiable current mood disorder such as depression or anxiety disorder at the time of diagnosis, with a lifetime incidence as high as 70%.
When The Symptoms Occurs
Fibromyalgia usually causes symptoms that begin between ages 25 and 45, but children can also have fibromyalgia. In fact, physicians have identified fibromyalgia developing in toddlers, and some researchers believe that the first trigger points of myofascial pain syndrome, a disorder commonly coexisting with fibromyalgia, may cause severe colic symptoms in some infants.
In addition, a traumatic physical injury, such as an automobile accident, or an extremely traumatic emotional event, has been known to cause the onset of fibromyalgia. However, the vast majority of fibromyalgia patients, around 80%, are unable to identify a trigger event that initiated the first obvious “flare” of the syndrome. In addition, there may be a genetic tendency in some individuals to develop the syndrome; fibromyalgia tends to run in families.
Beyond Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia patients display quantitative abnormalities in pain perception, in the form of both allodynia-perceiving pain even from a non-painful stimulus, such as light touch-and hyperalgesia-an augmentation of pain processing in which a painful stimulus is magnified and perceived with higher intensity than it would be by a normal volunteer.
In theory, such a state can conceptually result from widespread changes within the target organs (i.e., skin, muscles, etc.), from alterations in pain processing within the central nervous system, or some combination of both processes. Another explanation about fibromyalgia that Fibromyalgia pain was a result of peripheral abnormalities, particularly alterations in skeletal muscle. However, more recent studies have generally failed to confirm the presence of such alterations, though it is recognized that peripheral insults may play a role in instigating or maintaining fibromyalgia. On the other hand, supporting evidences posited the role of altered central pain processing (ie, "central sensitization") as underlying the pain of fibromyalgia.
How is Fibromyalgia Diagnose
Doctors diagnose fibromyalgia based on a patient's symptoms and physical exam. Patients experience pain and stiffness in the muscles, but there are no measurable findings on X-rays or lab tests. While fibromyalgia does not damage the joints or organs, the constant aches and fatigue can have a significant impact on daily life.
One of the unique aspects of fibromyalgia is the presence of tender points in specific locations on the body. When these points are pressed, people with fibromyalgia feel pain, while people without the condition only feel pressure.
Management of Fibromyalgia
The goal of fibromyalgia treatment is to minimize pain, sleep disturbances, and mood disorders. Doctors may recommend medications that help ease your symptoms -- ranging from familiar over-the-counter pain relievers to prescription drugs.
Besides drugs, an exercise can relieve several fibromyalgia symptoms. Physical activity can reduce pain and improve fitness. Exercising just three times a week has also been shown to relieve fatigue and depression. Walking, stretching, and water aerobics are good forms of exercise to start with for people with fibromyalgia.
Acupunture - Formal studies have produced mixed results on the use of acupuncture for fibromyalgia, but some patients say it eases their symptoms. This traditional Chinese practice involves inserting thin needles at key points on the body. Acupressure stimulates the same pressure points and may be a good alternative for people who want to avoid needles.
Many people with fibromyalgia have trouble concentrating, a phenomenon known as fibro fog. Treatment for pain and insomnia may help patients, there are other steps you can take to improve concentration. Write notes about things you need to remember, keep your mind active by reading or doing puzzles, and break tasks up into small, manageable steps.
