Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia

• By Alicia Krummert

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• What is Fibromyalgia?
• A fatiguing, chronic condition of the muscles
  and connective tissue in which very specific
  trigger points in the body are painful.
• Pain can occur in the muscles of the neck, back,
  shoulders, spine and legs.

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• Other symptoms may include
• Sleep disturbances
• Morning stiffness
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Anxiety and depression
• Jaw pain, or abdominal pain

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• Symptoms cont.
• Chronic headaches
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Chest Pain
• Numbness and tingling sensations
• Dry eyes and mouth

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• Aggravating Factors
• Changes in weather
• Cold and drafty environments
• Infections
• Allergies
• Hormonal fluctuations
• Over- exertion

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• The pain of fibromyalgia
• Deep aching within joints and soft tissue
• Radiating and gnawing amounts of pain
• Shooting and burning sensation
• Will very from mild to severe

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• Possible Causes
• Viral/Bacterial infection
• Automobile accident
• Sleep disorders
• These are geared more towards awakening
  physiological abnormalities.

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• Prognosis
• Chronic condition
• Symptoms may improve or may become worse over
  time
• Seek professional help that includes a
  multi-faceted approach to the management and
  treatment of the disease

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• Complications may mimic
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Hypothyroidism
• Lyme disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Cancer
• HIV infection

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• Signs and Testing
• An examination can reveal tenderness of certain
  areas
• Lab and x-ray test can help confirm the
  diagnosis and rule out other conditions with the
  same symptoms.
• New patients should also be checked for chronic
  fatigue, irritable bowel and other similar
  diseases.

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• Treatments
• Symptoms may go away with decreases stress or
  lifestyle changes
• Combination of medications, patient education,
  physical therapy, and counseling
• Many find support groups very helpful

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• Treatments cont.
• Anti-depressant medication
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Well balanced diet and reducing caffeine intake
• Reducing stress
• Improved fitness through exercise
• Severe cases may have to get a referral to a pain
  clinic

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• Prevention
• No proven prevention
• However, treatment and management of the disease
  has really improved over the years and will
  hopefully one day find a prevention

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• References
• http//health.yahoo.com/health/centers/arthritis_p
  ain/0427.html
• www.fmnetnews.com
• www.fibromyalgiasupport.com/fybromyalgia.c./id/481
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• www.fibromyalgiasupport.com/fibromyalgia-coping.ht
  m