· Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include headaches, gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and constipation, cold intolerance, anxiety and/or depression (McCance & Huether, 2014). Screening assessment tools: Currently, there are no screening tools for fibromyalgia.
Wide spread pain (above and below waist, on right and left sides of body) Pain localized to 18 tender points Pain characterized as deep, gnawing, stabbing or burning pain with no inflammation or damage present Client’s exhibit enhanced sensitivity to heat, cold and pressure Pain usually worst in the morning and after physical activity No known way to prevent Maintain a healthy …
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, chronic, generalized pain syndrome of unknown origin. Although pain and tenderness are its defining features, fatigue, sleep disturbance, non-cardiac chest pain, depression and poor concentration are also common. FM is second only to osteoarthritis in frequency of visits to rheumatology clinics, and about 5% of women and 0.5% of men in the …
Tingling or numbness in hands and feet. Pain in the face or jaw, including disorders of the jaw known as temporomandibular joint syndrome (also known as TMJ) Digestive problems, such …
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are 1. Pain and stiffness all over the body. 2. Fatigue and tiredness. 3. Depression and anxiety. 4. Sleep...
Known risk factors include: 1. Age. Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages, including children. However, most people are diagnosed during middl...
Doctors usually diagnose fibromyalgia using the patient’s history, physical examination, X-rays, and blood work.
Fibromyalgia can be effectively treated and managed with medication and self-management strategies. You can learn about self-management strategies...
Fibromyalgia can cause pain, disability, and lower quality of life. US adults with fibromyalgia may have complications such as: 1. More hospitaliza...
1. Get physically active. Experts recommend that adults be moderately physically active for 150 minutes per week. Walk, swim, or bike 30 minutes a...
1. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases—Fibromyalgia 2. American College of Rheumatology—Fibromyalgia Fast Facts 3...
Although diffuse pain and tenderness are its defining characteristics, over 75% also report chronic fatigue, a major contributor to the disability and impairment in FM ref 2. FM also associates with a variety of health problems including sleep disturbance, irritable bowel syndrome, and mood disorders ref 3. Although it is unclear whether persons with FM are more likely to have a psychiatric disorder than the general population, it is estimated that 20% to 40% of persons with FM experience mood disorders such as depression and anxiety ref 4. This is not surprising given the multiple symptoms, normal laboratory tests, feelings of victimization, loss of control, and generally ineffective treatments. Moreover, routine tasks take longer to accomplish, and adaptations must be made to minimize pain and fatigue that negatively affect employment and social activities ref 5.
Although the cause or causes of FM remains to be determined, most researchers believe that the widespread pain, the hallmark symptom of FM, is due to abnormalities in central nervous system function. Moreover, it has been hypothesized that aberrations in the stress response (i.e., corticotrophin-releasing hormone and locus ceruleus-norepinephrine/autonomic nervous systems) may play an important role in symptom expression. Finally, given the prevalence of emotional/mood disorders in persons with FM, it is also thought that psycho-behavioral factors may contribute to the pathogenesis and/or individual expression of FM ref 3.
Fitzcharles MA, DaCosta, D., & Poyhia, R. A study of standard care in fibromyalgia syndrome: A favorable outcome. Journal of Rheumatology30 :154-159, 2003.
With regard to nervous system function, it is thought that persons with FM experience pain amplification due to abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system. This is supported by studies showing multiple physiological abnormalities in persons with FM, including: increased levels of substance P in the spinal cord, low levels of blood flow to the thalamus region of the brain, low levels of serotonin and tryptophan and abnormalities in cytokine function ref 5.
Fibromyalgia Overview. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common, chronic, generalized pain syndrome of unknown origin. Although pain and tenderness are its defining features, fatigue, sleep disturbance, non-cardiac chest pain, depression and poor concentration are also common. FM is second only to osteoarthritis in frequency of visits to rheumatology clinics, ...
Due to the constellation of symptoms associated with FM its impact can be severe. It associates with poorer quality of life than rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ref 6. Moreover, it often promotes physical inactivity, social withdrawal, and psychological distress.
Finally, recent studies show that genetic factors may predispose individuals to a genetic susceptibility to FM. For some, the onset of FM is slow; however, in a large percentage of persons the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body.
The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are. Pain and stiffness all over the body. Fatigue and tiredness. Depression and anxiety. Sleep problems. Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration. Headaches, including migraines. Other symptoms may include: Tingling or numbness in hands and feet.
What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gi·a) is a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called abnormal pain perception processing.
Fibromyalgia can be effectively treated and managed with medication and self-management strategies. You can learn about self-management strategies in the section below titled How can I improve my quality of life?
These possible risk factors include: Sex. Women are twice as likely to have fibromyalgia as men. Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Repetitive injuries. Injury from repetitive stress on a joint, such as frequent knee bending.
Join a self-management education class, which helps people with arthritis or other conditions—including fibromyalgia—be more confident in how to control their symptoms, how to live well and understand how the condition affects their lives. Learn more about the CDC-recommended self-management education programs.
This is called abnormal pain perception processing. Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million US adults, about 2% of the adult population. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it can be effectively treated and managed.
Fibromyalgia can affect people of all ages, including children. However, most people are diagnosed during middle age and you are more likely to have fibromyalgia as you get older. Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. If you have lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you are more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
Overview. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals. Symptoms often begin after an event, such as physical ...
Because fibromyalgia tends to run in families, there may be certain genetic mutations that may make you more susceptible to developing the disorder. Infections. Some illnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia. Physical or emotional events.
Some illnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia. Physical or emotional events. Fibromyalgia can sometimes be triggered by a physical event, such as a car accident. Prolonged psychological stress may also trigger the condition.
There are likely many factors that lead to these changes, including: Genetics. Because fibromyalgia tends to run in families, there may be certain genetic mutations that may make you more susceptible to developing the disorder. Infections. Some illnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.
Cognitive difficulties. A symptom commonly referred to as "fibro fog" impairs the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate on mental tasks. Fibromyalgia often co-exists with other conditions, such as: Irritable bowel syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome.
Your sex. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed more often in women than in men. Family history. You may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if a parent or sibling also has the condition. Other disorders. If you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medications can help control symptoms. Exercise, relaxation and stress-reduction measures also may help.
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain and tenderness throughout your body. Other symptoms may also include: Trouble sleeping. Morning stiffness. Headaches. Painful menstrual periods. Tingling or numbness in hands and feet. Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”).
Doctors use guidelines to help diagnose fibromyalgia, which can include: A history of widespread pain lasting more than 3 months. Physical symptoms including fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive (memory or thought) problems.
Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting or chronic disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired). If you have fibromyalgia, you have pain and tenderness throughout your body. Sometimes you may have two or more chronic pain conditions at the same time, such as: Chronic fatigue syndrome. Endometriosis.
Fibromyalgia is a long-lasting or chronic disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired).
The team may include your doctor, a physical therapist, and possibly other health care providers. A pain or rheumatology clinic can be a good place to get treatment.
Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”). What causes it? What causes fibromyalgia? Doctors don’t know the exact cause of fibromyalgia. Researchers continue to study fibromyalgia and think the following events may contribute to the cause of the disorder: Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents.
Stressful or traumatic events, such as car accidents.
Fibromyalgia (FM) is the most common cause of chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, often accompanied by fatigue, cognitive disturbance, psychiatric symptoms, and multiple somatic symptoms [ 1,2 ]. The etiology of the syndrome is unknown, and the pathophysiology is uncertain [ 1,2 ]. Despite symptoms of soft tissue pain affecting the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, there is no evidence of inflammation in these tissues.
(See "Differential diagnosis of fibromyalgia" .)
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common cause of chronic pain and the most common cause of generalized, musculoskeletal pain in women between ages of 20 and 55 years; in the United States and in other countries, the prevalence is approximately 2 to 3 percent and increases with age [ 4-7 ]. Initially termed fibrositis, FM was described in France and England in the mid-19 th century. By the end of the 20 th century, many rheumatologists recognized FM as a discrete syndrome, and diagnostic classification criteria were proposed, evaluated, and then validated. FM is more common in women than men and occurs in both children and adults [ 4-8 ]. It is six times more common in women in reports from specialty clinics, although the female predominance is not as striking in the community and when using survey criteria that do not require a tender point examination [ 6 ].
Thus, the role of organic illness had been questioned, and FM has often been considered by some to be psychogenic or psychosomatic. However, ongoing research suggests that FM is a disorder of pain regulation, often classified as a form of central sensitization [ 3 ]. (See "Pathogenesis of fibromyalgia" .)
FM, like many other common chronic pain syndromes, has been a controversial condition [ 1,2 ]. Patients look well, there are no obvious abnormalities on physical examination other than widespread soft tissue tenderness, and laboratory and radiologic studies of musculoskeletal structures are normal.
Widespread muscle pain and joint pain along with fatigue and poor sleep are the defining symptoms of fibromyalgia. The disease affects people differently. You may also experience: Anxiety or depression. Digestive problems, including diarrhea or constipation. Face or jaw pain ( temporomandibular disorders ).
Fibromyalgia symptoms — chronic fatigue and all-over body pain — can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being. Self-care, such as exercise, a healthy diet, improved sleep and stress relief, can help you enjoy a better quality of life.
For a diagnosis, widespread pain should be present for three months along with fatigue and other symptoms such as memory and concentration difficulties, poor sleep, symptoms of depression and irritable syndrome.
For a diagnosis, widespread pain should be present for three months along with fatigue and other symptoms such as memory and concentration difficulties, poor sleep, symptoms of depression and irritable syndrome.
Medical experts don’t know why some people develop fibromyalgia. It sometimes runs in families. Certain conditions or events may bring on symptoms, such as:
Fibromyalgia isn’t life-threatening. Still, it can be challenging to live with chronic pain and fatigue. If fibromyalgia isn’t treated your work and daily activities are more difficult to do.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic, long-term illness. It causes all-over muscle pain, joint pain and fatigue. The pain may come and go. There’s no known cause, although certain factors such as stress and genetics may predispose someone toward the disease.