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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Fibromyalgia
What is fibromyalgia?
The term fibromyalgia means pain in fibrous and muscular
tissues. It is a chronic (ongoing) condition of pain,
stiffness, and usually fatigue.
Fibromyalgia is more common than most people realize. As
many as 3% to 6% of all people have fibromyalgia. It is
less common in older adults, and more women have it than
men.
How does it occur?
What fibromyalgia is exactly, or what causes it, is not
known. Studies have shown that many people with the
condition have abnormal sleep brain waves (EEGs). Others
make less of the hormone called cortisol. Stress, anxiety,
depression, illness, or poor sleep may contribute to the
problem. The symptoms may get worse when you overexert
yourself or when the weather is damp and cold.
What are the symptoms?
Pain is the main symptom. The aches, pains, and stiffness
in muscles, joints, and soft tissues get worse or better
from day to day or week to week. The pain also tends to
move from one part of the body to another. It is most
common in the neck, chest, arms, legs, hips, and back.
Other common symptoms are:
- tiredness
- headaches
- anxiety
- depression
- problems with the digestive system, especially trouble
swallowing, recurrent abdominal pain, or diarrhea.
How is it diagnosed?
There is no single diagnostic test for fibromyalgia. Your
health care provider will ask about your medical history and
your patterns of symptoms. He or she will examine you,
looking for places that are tender.
If, after considering your medical history and examining
you, your health care provider is not sure about your
diagnosis, he or she may order a test to look for abnormal
sleep patterns. This test is called a sleep
electroencephalogram. You may also have a test to check the
level of cortisol in your blood, to see if your body is
making enough.
How is it treated?
The most successful treatment for fibromyalgia is a healthy
diet and balanced exercise and rest.
The diet should include a large variety of fruits and
vegetables. These foods provide the body with trace
elements and minerals that help the muscles. Also, the
fiber in fruits and vegetables helps the digestive system.
Exercise affects the levels of many biochemicals in the
body, particularly in the nervous system. This may be why
symptoms of fibromyalgia often improve when people exercise
regularly. Because much of the pain of fibromyalgia is in
the muscles and joints, you should begin an exercise program
gradually, as recommended by your health care provider.
Include good warm-ups and cool-downs. Do types of exercise
that do not hurt your joints.
Rest is as important as diet and exercise in the treatment
of fibromyalgia. Make sure you get enough restful sleep.
In the evening avoid stimulating foods and drinks (such as
coffee) and certain medicines (for example, decongestants).
If diet, exercise, and adequate rest do not relieve your
symptoms, your health care provider may prescribe
medicine. The drugs might include antidepressants, muscle
relaxants, and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Your health care provider can also help to find other ways
to reduce your pain and fatigue. For example, you may
benefit from massage therapy or a home exercise program
recommended by a physical therapist.
How long will the effects last?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic problem. The symptoms sometimes
improve and at other times worsen, but they will probably
continue for months to years. Although the illness can
produce much discomfort, it is not life threatening.
What can I do to prevent fibromyalgia?
There is no known way to prevent fibromyalgia. However, as
with many medical problems, staying as healthy as possible
with a good diet, safe exercise, and enough rest is the best
prevention.
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