Fibromyalgia is a muscle and joint disease that affects approximately two to four percent of the population, Fibromyalgia is predominantly diagnosed in women between 20 and 50, although it can affect men and even children. It's estimated some twenty million Americans suffer from this disorder. Fibromyalgia is said to be the most common arthritis related condition after osteoarthritis.

The cause of fibromyalgia is not clearly understood. Some researchers theorize decreased levels of serotonin contribute, while others think there's a genetic or environmental component. Some researchers feel there is even a link between childhood abuse and the propensity to develop fibromyalgia. Many practicing physicians don't even recognize fibromyalgia as a true diagnosis but most rheumatologists do. It can be difficult to find a medical practitioner sympathetic to the condition and familiar with its treatment.

Diagnosing Fibromyalgia is very difficult. It's been called the great imitator because it's often misdiagnosed as arthritis, Lyme disease and other disorders. The diagnosis is primarily made by ruling out other diseases and by symptoms reported by the patient.

Symptoms include muscle pain and stiffness lasting more than three months, sore throat, swollen glands and painful tissue with normal blood work, poor sleep and fatigue in the mornings. In addition, there are specific trigger points that are generally inflamed and tender. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can be aggravated by stress, cold, humidity, over exertion, lack of sleep and infections. Allergies to certain foods and things may also serve as triggers to cause an acute flare up of symptoms. Some research has suggested diet changes; including switching to a vegetarian lifestyle may be very helpful.

Pain is the overriding symptom of fibromyalgia and as in many chronic pain disorders the risk of developing secondary addiction problems is high. A pain management doctor may be recommended. It may even be in the fibromyalgia suffers best interest to ask for a pain management referral as the FDA frowns on family doctors and internist prescribing chronic pain medication.

Treatment is a combination of modalities. Therapy to learn better coping mechanisms and decrease stress, finding medications and practices that improve sleep, changes in diet, gentle exercise and physical therapy have all proved to be of benefit. Various medications including serotonin reuptake inhibitors such Prozac, Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil, muscle relaxants such as Flexeril, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, and Cymbalta. Some physicians will order trigger point injections with some success in pain relief.

Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition both to diagnose and treat. Research is continuing in an attempt to develop better diagnostic and treatment options. At the present time treatment has only about a fifty percent success rate, however this can be improved by a combination approach that includes all the treatment modalities available.

Sources:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/re leases/2006/11/061128122416.ht m

http://chronicfatigueandfibrom yalgia.com/

http://www.fibromyalghttp://ch ronicfatigueandfibromyalgia.co m/ia.com/pain_diary_excerpt.ht m

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