Fibromyalgia; Overview.Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain and reduced pressure pain threshold (tender points) People with fibromyalgia may also experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, increased headaches or facial pain, irritable bowel syndrome irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), condition characterized by frequently alternating constipation and diarrhea in the absence of any disease process. It is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, especially in the lower left quadrant, bloating, and flatulence. , depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and problems multitasking. Patients with fibromyalgia frequently report functional impairment and diminished quality of life.The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but recent evidence suggests that fibromyalgia is associated with abnormalities in the central nervous system processing of pain. Fibromyalgia patients develop an increased response to painful stimuli and experience pain from non-painful stimuli such as touch. This is thought to be reflective of enhanced pain processing that is characteristic of central pain sensitization sensitization /sen·si·ti·za·tion/ (sen?si-ti-za´shun) 1. administration of an antigen to induce a primary immune response. 2. exposure to allergen that results in the development of hypersensitivity. . Patients with fibromyalgia have been found to have elevated levels of substance P in their spinal fluid, a chemical that helps transmit pain signals from the brain. Scientists are currently investigating how the brain and spinal cord process pain and how substance P and other neurotransmitters fit into the process. Recent studies have also found that fibromyalgia runs in families, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the disorder. Diagnosing fibromyalgia has been controversial because there are no specific laboratory tests to identify the disorder. Until recently, many health care professionals thought fibromyalgia was primarily caused by psychological factors. In recent years, however, health care professionals have come to understand that psychological factors do not necessarily cause fibromyalgia but rather may contribute to an increased risk for disability associated with fibromyalgia. Furthermore depression and anxiety disorders may actually share some of the pathophysiological mechanisms that are associated with fibromyalgia. It is estimated that 2 percent of the U.S. adult population has fibromyalgia. This condition occurs more commonly in women of childbearing age (as many as 80 percent of those diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women), but children, postmenopausal post·men·o·paus·al adj. Of or occurring in the time following menopause. postmenopausal Change of life Gynecology adjective Referring to the time in ♀ when menstrual periods stop for ≥ 1 yr women, the elderly and men can be affected. The severity of fibromyalgia symptoms varies. For some women, pain or other symptoms can be so intense that they interfere with daily activities. For others, symptoms may cause discomfort but are not incapacitating. However, the condition is quite disabling in many people. In the 2006 annual Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Survey from the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers, Inc., 70 percent of those surveyed rated their quality of life as "poor," "very poor" or "awful." Treating fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach encompassing symptom management and lifestyle adaptation. It also requires a team approach between health care professionals including physicians, physical therapists and cognitive therapists, as well as the patient. References "Patient information: Fibromyalgia." 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Lin, HC. et al. "Improvement in Fibromyalgia with Treatment of Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth intestinal bacterial overgrowth Afferent loop syndrome, gastrojejunal loop obstruction, stagnant loop syndrome Infectious disease A condition characterized by excess growth of opportunistic bacteria, which occurs when normal gut flora is eradicated with antibiotics (SIBO SIBO Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth SIBO Sixteen Bit Organiser (Psion) SIBO Sanda Island Bird Observatory (Scotland) SIBO Sixteen Bit Organizers ): A Double Blind Randomized Study." Arthritis & Rheumatism rheumatism (r  `mətĭzəm), general term for a number of disorders that cause inflammation and pain in muscles, bones, joints, or nerves. . 42:S343, 1999. Accessed June 11, 2004.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Fibromyalgia. FibroFree Fibromyalgia Recovery Program. http://www.fibrofree.com. Accessed June 11, 2004. Yunus, M. "Fibromyalgia and overlapping syndromes." Fibromyalgia Network. http://www.fmnetnews.com. Accessed June 11, 2004. Chang, L. "The Association of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Fibromyalgia." European Journal of Surgery; 1998; Supplement 583: 32-36. Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain. Excerpted from "Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the for details. This article has been tagged since September 2007. : A Survival Guide" by DJ Starlanyl and ME Copeland. Revised April 7, 2004. http://www.sover.net. Accessed June 11, 2004. Burckhardt C. "How Pain Affects the Mind." Presentation at FAME 2000 International Fibromyalgia Conference, 5/20/99-5/21/00. Universal City, Calif. Jasmin L. "FMS FMS - Flexible Manufacturing System (factory automation). : A CNS See Continuous net settlement. CNS See continuous net settlement (CNS). Disease." Fibromyalgia Network (newsletter). April 21, 2000. Engstrom D. "Biofeedback biofeedback, method for learning to increase one's ability to control biological responses, such as blood pressure, muscle tension, and heart rate. Sophisticated instruments are often used to measure physiological responses and make them apparent to the patient, who " Presentation at FAME 2000 International Fibromyalgia Conference, 5/20/99-5/21/00. Universal City, Calif. Engstom D. "Coping with Emotions: The Role of the Psychologist/Psychiatrist." Presentation at FAME 2000 International Fibromyalgia Conference, 5/20/99-5/21/00. Universal City, Calif. Moldofsky H. "Sleep, neuroimmune and neuroendocrine neuroendocrine /neu·ro·en·do·crine/ (-en´do-krin) pertaining to neural and endocrine influence, and particularly to the interaction between the nervous and endocrine systems. neu·ro·en·do·crine adj. functions in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), collection of persistent, debilitating symptoms, the most notable of which is severe, lasting fatigue. In other countries it is known variously as myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, and ." Advances in Neruoimmunology. Vol. 5. 1995. 39-56. Pillemer S, Bradley L, Crofford L, et al. "The Neuroscience and Endocrinology of Fibromyalgia." Arthritis & Rheumatism. Nov. 1997. Vol. 40, No. 11. 1928-1939. Bennett R. "Chronic Widespread Pain and the Fibromyalgia Construct." Pain Digest. 1999. 9:292-298. Russell J. "Fibromyalgia Syndrome." Presentation at FAME 2000 International Fibromyalgia Conference, 5/20/99-5/21/00. Universal City, Calif. Wallace D, Linker-Israeli M, Hallegua D, et al. "Cytokines play an etiopathogenetic role in fibromyalgia: A pilot study." Abstract 950156. Presented at the American College of Rheumatology, 64th Annual Scientific Meeting, April 30, 2000. Hardy M. "Fibromyalgia and Integrative Medicine: Evaluation of Efficacy & Safety." Presentation at FAME 2000 International Fibromyalgia Conference, 5/20/99-5/21/00. Universal City, Calif. "What Research Is Being Conducted on Fibromyalgia?" National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Published Dec. 1999. http://www.niams.nih.gov. Accessed June 11, 2004. "FM Monograph" National Fibromyalgia Partnership, Inc. Copyright 2004. http://www.fmpartnership.org. Accessed June 11, 2004. "Fibromyalgia Medicationst" The Arthritis Foundation. 2004.http://www.arthritis.org. Accessed June 11, 2004. Arnold LM. Biology and therapy of fibromyalgia. New therapies in fibromyalgia. Arthritis Research and Therapy 2006;8:212. Arnold LM, Hudson JI, Hess EV, et al. Family study of fibromyalgia. Arthritis and Rheumatism 2004;50:944-952. Keywords: fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia syndrome, depression, women, women with fibromyalgia, pain, widespread pain, lyme disease, growth hormone, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome |
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