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FM (Fibromyalgia) is a
widespread musculo-skeletal pain and fatigue disorder of which the
cause is still unknown. The term 'Fibromyalgia' means pain in the
muscles, ligaments and tendons - the fibrous tissues of the body.
People with Fibromyalgia
feel that they ache all over. The muscles may feel like they have
been pulled or overworked.
Fibromyalgia is more
common in women than in men, but it shows up across all age
groups.
Symptoms of FM
Pain
- The pain of Fibromyalgia has no boundaries. People describe the
pain as deep muscular aching, burning, throbbing, shooting and
stabbing. Quite often, the pain and stiffness are worse in the
mornings.
Fatigue
- This symptom can be mild in some patients and yet incapacitating
in others. The fatigue has been described as "brain
fatigue" in which patients feel totally drained of
energy.
Sleep disorder
- Most Fibromyalgia sufferers have an associated sleep disorder
called the alpha-EEG anomaly. This condition was uncovered in a
sleep lab with the aid of a machine which recorded the brain waves
of patients during sleep. Researchers found that Fibromyalgia
syndrome patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but
their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by
bursts of awake-like brain activity. Patients appeared to spend
the night with one foot in sleep and the other one out of it. The
sleep pattern for clinically depressed patients is distinctly
different from that found in FM or CFS/ME.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, abdominal gas
and nausea represent symptoms frequently found in roughly 40% to
70% of Fibromyalgia patients.
Chronic headaches
- Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in about
50% of Fibromyalgia patients.
Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity Syndrome -
Sensitivities to odors, noise, bright lights, medications and
various foods is common in roughly 50% of FM or CFS patients.
Other common symptoms
- morning stiffness, cognitive or memory impairment, numbness and
tingling sensations, muscle twitching, irritable bladder, the
feeling of swollen extremities, skin sensitivities, dry eyes and
mouth, frequent changes in eye prescription, dizziness, and
impaired coordination can occur.
Treatments
Traditional treatments
are geared toward improving the quality of sleep, as well as
reducing pain. Because deep level (stage 4) sleep is so crucial
for many body functions, such as tissue repair, antibody
production, and perhaps even the regulation of various
neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system chemicals, the sleep
disorders that frequently occur in Fibromyalgia and chronic
fatigue patients are thought to be a major contributing factor to
the symptoms of this condition. Medicines that boost your body's
level of serotonin and norepinephrine--neurotransmitters that
modulate sleep, pain and immune system function--are commonly
prescribed.
Most patients will probably need to use other treatment methods as
well, such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, acupressure, relaxation
techniques, osteopathic manipulation, chiropractic care,
therapeutic massage, or a gentle exercise program.
Thanks to The
Fibromyalgia Network for the information shown here.
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