About Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a medical condition that is difficult to diagnose and has no known cause. Symptoms center largely around pain throughout the body, fatigue and cognitive impairments. Although there is no definitive cure, the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome can most often be effectively managed to maintain quality of life.
There is speculation that fibromyalgia syndrome is connected to some combination of sleep disorders, physical trauma, immune system malfunction, dysfunction in the central nervous system and genetics.

Symptoms

• Fibromyalgia symptoms vary between patients but often include headaches, fatigue, short-term memory and cognitive impairment, stiffness, lack of energy, depression, significant muscle and soft tissue pain, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disturbances, environmental sensitivities, tingling and numbness and restless legs syndrome.

Diagnosis

• There is no diagnostic laboratory test available for fibromyalgia. Diagnosis is clinical and includes ruling out other illnesses, a review of the patient's medical history and a demonstrated tenderness in a minimum of 11 out of 18 identified pressure points.

Treatment

• There is no one treatment that has proven effective for all patients. Treatment planning must be completed on an individual basis and can include changes in diet and lifestyle, prescription medication, holistic therapies, physical therapy, herbal and natural remedies, massage and chiropractic care.

Prognosis

• Although there is no recognized cure for this condition, effective management of symptoms is possible. Fibromyalgia does not appear to be a degenerative disease and most often can be controlled using a combination of lifestyle changes, medical treatments and holistic therapies.

Misconceptions

• Fibromyalgia syndrome is often grouped with chronic fatigue syndrome; however, these are two separate medical conditions.