WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA AND WHAT ARE IT'S SYMPTOMS?
Fibromyalgia (also called fibrositis or fibromyositis) is a syndrome that causes chronic, sometimes debilitating muscle pain and fatigue. The pain occurs in areas where the muscles attach to bone or ligaments and is similar to the pain of arthritis. The joints themselves are not affected, however, so they are not deformed nor do they deteriorate as they may in arthritic conditions. The pain typically originates in one area, usually the neck and shoulders, and then radiates out. Most patients report feeling some pain all the time; and many describe it as "exhausting". The pain can vary, depending on the time of day, weather changes, physical activity, and the presence of stressful situations; it has been described as stiffness, burning, radiating, and aching. The pain is often more intense after disturbed sleep. The other major complaint is fatigue, which some patients report as being more debilitating than the pain. Fatigue and sleep disturbances are, in fact, almost universal in patients with fibromyalgia, and if these symptoms are not present, then some experts believe that physicians should seek a diagnosis other than fibromyalgia. Between a quarter and a third of patients experience depression, and disturbances in mood and concentration are very common. (In one study 46% of patients had been diagnosed with depression in the past.) Fibromyalgia patients are also prone to tension or migraine headaches. Other symptoms include dizziness, tingling or numbness in the hands and feet, and gastrointestinal problems, including irritable bowel syndrome with gas and alternating diarrhea and constipation. Some patients complain of urinary frequency caused by bladder spasms. Women may have painful menstrual periods.

WHAT CAUSES FIBROMYALGIA?
Fibromyalgia is sometimes categorized as primary or secondary; primary fibromyalgia is the more common form.

CAUSES OF PRIMARY FIBROMYALGIA
The cause or causes of primary fibromyalgia are not known; this condition is also sometimes referred to as idiopathic fibromyalgia. Many experts believe that fibromyalgia is not a disease but rather a dysfunctional disorder caused by a constellation of biologic responses to stress in individuals who are more susceptible to such stress because of negative personal histories or genetic factors. Family Factors. One recent study reported that 28% of the children of mothers with fibromyalgia also develop the disorder. There were no differences in psychological disorders among those offspring with fibromyalgia and those who did not develop it. Another study noted that 66% of parents of children with fibromyalgia reported some sort of chronic pain--with about 10% reporting fibromyalgia. Close-knit families, oddly enough, were more likely to be associated with severe cases of childhood fibromyalgia.

One noted that the severity of the disorder increased in children whose parents were less able to cope with their children's pain. It is not clear if genetic or psychological factors or both are involved.

CHRONIC SLEEP DISTURBANCE:
Some experts believe that disturbed sleeping patterns may be the original precipitating factor for many cases of fibromyalgia pain. In one study, volunteers who did not have fibromyalgia reported fibromyalgia-like pain after they had been subjected to disrupted deep sleep. Disturbed sleep appears to trigger factors in the immune system that cause inflammation and pain.

Next Edition
TABLE OF CONTENT:
Abnormalities in the Brain
Autoimmunity
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Recipe of the Week:
Devil's Delight Cookies


Humor:
The DAILY CARTOON

Cute Email:
Copy & Paste Emails

$$$ Career Frustrated? $$$:
Need Additional Income?

To Subscribe to Fibro Talk Newsletter
please fill out this form:

Name:
Email Address:



It's easy to invite your freinds to
visit the Fibro Talk Newsletter web site.