| Fibromyalgia is a disease of unknown cause usually | | | | present with less severity, but suddenly becomes |
| suspected when patients complain of multiple tender | | | | severe on activity or pressure at tender points. |
| points. | | | | -Patients of fibromyalgia also complain of sleep |
| A theory is postulated that in fibromyalgia the | | | | disturbances. |
| threshold for pain is lowered because of increased | | | | -Back pain. |
| sensitivity of pain signals in the brain. Researchers | | | | After a complete history and thorough physical |
| believe that when repetitive pain signals repeatedly | | | | examination, some of the following tests may be |
| stimulate the brain centers, the concentrations of the | | | | performed to exclude other diseases with similar |
| chemical substances called neurotransmitters | | | | symptoms: |
| increases in the brain. This causes the brain centers | | | | -Complete blood count. |
| to become sensitive to even minute signals of | | | | -ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate). |
| sensations which are ultimately perceived as pain. The | | | | -Rheumatoid factor. |
| reason behind this sensitization and the reason why it | | | | -Serum Antinuclear antibodies. |
| affects some individuals while sparing others is still | | | | -X-ray of affected area to exclude pain due to |
| unknown. | | | | fractures. |
| The age group usually affected is early and middle | | | | -Serum Ferritin to rule out hemochromatosis. |
| adulthood but children and elderly may also be | | | | -Thyroid hormones to rule out thyroid disease. |
| affected. It has also been observed that a familial | | | | -Sleep assessment tests. |
| association of the disease is present because | | | | There is no specific treatment of fibromyalgia. |
| patients of fibromyalgia tend to have a first degree | | | | Therefore the main aim of treatment of fibromyalgia |
| relative also suffering from the same disease. There | | | | is to improve the quality of life of the patient. |
| has also been an association that patients of | | | | Following are some of the possible treatment options: |
| fibromyalgia also tend to have Rheumatoid arthritis or | | | | Medications: |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis. | | | | -Painkillers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). |
| As previously discussed, fibromyalgia has no definite | | | | -Antidepressants. |
| cause, but there are some conditions or risk factors | | | | -Muscle relaxants. |
| that are associated with fibromyalgia or which may | | | | Behavior therapy: |
| precipitate the condition. | | | | -Individual counseling to solve psychosocial issues may |
| A patient of fibromyalgia may come to the doctor | | | | be beneficial. |
| with following set of complaints: | | | | Other types of therapy: |
| -Generalized weakness and easy fatigability. | | | | -Acupuncture is also one of the possible therapies |
| -Increased sensitivity to pain at specific points on the | | | | and may yield both physical benefits and well being. |
| body called "Tender points". | | | | -Physiotherapy under the supervision of a good |
| -Pain is of aching type and is usually constantly | | | | physiotherapist may be a good option to consider. |