How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed and Treated?

Unfortunately fibromyalgia is not well understood byfound more than 11 tender points in the neck,
people and doctors do not know many things aboutshoulders, lower back, buttocks, hips, elbows and
this disease. Some of the possible symptoms are:knees that seem to be present in fibromyalgia.
fatigue, insomnia, tissue pain and tender points.Before diagnosing fibromyalgia the doctor must check
Doctors have not found a cure yet for this affectionthe thyroid because hypothyroidism can give
but they are still searching for one.symptoms resembling to those in fibromyalgia.
It seems that mostly women are affected byMyofascial pain syndrome can manifest as
fibromyalgia. From the world’s population 3.4%fibromyalgia too. This is why it is not easy diagnosing
of the women have this disease and only 0.5 of theimmediately without a complete physical exam and
men are affected by this illness.tests that exclude other affections.
Fibromyalgia can not be detected by a laboratoryTreatment is available but it is special for every
test and because of that many scientists thoughtpatient. A relieve of the symptoms might be brought
that fibromyalgia was triggered by negative emotionsby acupuncture, psychotherapy, chiropractic care,
or it was a psychosomatic affection.massage and physical therapy along with low doses
Until now scientists have proved that there has beenof antidepressant drugs. In some patients symptoms
altered the brain chemistry in these patients whomight still be present after treatment is done.
come with an affected sleep pattern. These patientsSome studies have proved that associating a tricyclic
complain about being tired even after sleeping for aantidepressant with a selective serotonin reuptake
long time. Some say that they wake up during theinhibitor will be more effective than if these drugs are
sleep for several times. Scientists have concludedtaken separately.
that sleeping problems associated with stress canTender points and pains can be relieved with aerobic
lead to fibromyalgia. Other tests have showed thatexercise and strength-training activities, but these
these patients have small levels of insulin growthactivities take time and the patient need to be well
factor, meaning a low secretion of growth hormone.motivated to follow these activities. Maybe a
Even the intense pain perception has been explainedworkout partner could convince him to follow these
by the increased level of cerebrospinal fluid substancetrainings for a longer period of time.
P found in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia.Another treatment option is using opioid analgesic
Endocrine disturbances have also been found in thesetherapy. This therapy must also be followed for a
patients meaning that they have a decreasedlong period of time. Aspirin and ibuprofen have been
production of the steroid cortisol. This steroid isproven to be not efficient in treating fibromyalgia.
found in a high level in those suffering of depression.If all treatment options have run out and did not
The intense pain patients feel is not a result ofbring any improvement, a new therapy might be tried
damage or inflammation in their body but it is causebut is very expensive. This treatment is actually a
by a central defect in pain processing. Some say thathormonal therapy based on correcting the growth
these disturbances can also be caused byhormone lack in the patient’s organism.
psychological traumas but this fact has not beenAll treatment should be tried before giving up and
completely proven yet.patients should know that results will not be seen
Diagnosing fibromyalgia is not easy to make, it needsimmediately but only after applying treatment for a
an observation for a long time of the symptomslonger period of time.
along with a physical examination. There have been