About Fibromyalgia
What
Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia (FM) is an increasingly recognized chronic pain illness which
is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal aches, pain and stiffness,
soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The most
common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle
and hands, but any body part can be involved. Patients experience a range
of symptoms of varying intensities that wax and wane over time.
It is estimated that approximately 3-6% of the U.S. population has FM.
Although a higher percentage of women are affected, it does strike men,
women and children of all ages and races. Because of its debilitating
nature, FM has a serious impact on patients' family, friends, and employers,
as well as society at large.
What
Causes Fibromyalgia?
While the underlying cause or causes of FM still remain a mystery, new
research findings continue to bring us closer to understanding the basic
mechanisms of FM. Most researchers agree that FM is a disorder of central
processing with neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter dysregulation. The FM
patient experiences pain amplification due to abnormal sensory processing
in the central nervous system. An increasing number of scientific studies
now show multiple physiological abnormalities in the FM patient, including:
increased levels of substance P in the spinal cord, low levels of blood
flow to the thalamus region of the brain, HPA axis hypofunction, low levels
of serotonin and tryptophan, and abnormalities in cytokine function.
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 patients the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body. These events may act to incite an undetected physiological problem already present.
Exciting new research has also begun in the areas of brain imaging and neurosurgery. Continued work will look at the hypothesis that FM is caused by an interpretative defect in the central nervous system that brings about abnormal pain perception. Medical researchers have just begun to untangle the truths about this life-altering disease.
What
Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
FM is characterized by the presence of multiple tender points and a constellation
of symptoms.
Pain: The pain of FM is profound, widespread and chronic. It knows no boundaries, migrating to all parts of the body and varying in intensity. FM pain has been described as deep muscular aching, throbbing, twitching, stabbing and shooting pain that defines the very existence of the FM patient. Neurological complaints such as numbness, tingling and burning are often present and add to the discomfort of the patient. The severity of the pain and stiffness is often worse in the morning. Aggravating factors which affect pain include cold/humid weather, non-restorative sleep, physical and mental fatigue, excessive physical activity, physical inactivity, anxiety and stress.
Fatigue:
In today's world many people complain of “fatigue” however,
the fatigue of FM is much more than being tired. It is an all-encompassing
exhaustion that interferes with even the simplest daily activities. It
feels like every drop of energy has been drained from the body, which
at times can leave the patient with a limited ability to function both
mentally and physically.
Sleep Problems: Many Fibromyalgia patients have an associated sleep
disorder which prevents them from getting deep, restful, restorative sleep.
Medical researchers have documented specific and distinctive abnormalities
in the stage 4 deep sleep of FM patients. During sleep, individuals with
FM are constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity,
limiting the amount of time they spend in deep sleep.
Other Symptoms: Additional symptoms may include: irritable bowel and bladder, headaches and migraines, restless legs syndrome (periodic limb movement disorder), impaired memory and concentration, skin sensitivities and rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, vision problems, raynaud's syndrome, neurological symptoms and impaired coordination.
What
We Are Doing at CNS/WH:
Currently we are running several research studies involving IBS and Fibromyalgia.
Click here for further information.
Information
and Links
The National Fibromyalgia
Awareness Association
The CFIDS Association of
America