Fibromyalgia: A Chronic Pain Disorder Syndrome - Research Paper Example

Fibromyalgia: A Chronic Pain Disorder Syndrome Introduction Fibromyalgia or FM, is a chronic disorder which characteristically shows severe widespread pain and many tender points that ache to touch, accompanied by terrible fatigue. It is more of a syndrome with many symptoms and other medical problems occurring at the same time, but cannot be linked to any one apparent cause. This article will discuss FM in detail by exploring the etiology, symptoms, diagnoses and treatments available, for this condition. Body Symptoms: Fibromyalgia also known as fibromyositis, fibromyalgia syndrome or fibrositis, is associated with widespread pain in the body, fatigue that varies from acute to moderate, sensitivity to sound, light or touch, sleep disorder and other symptoms like arthritis and irritable bowel movements. Under this disorder, the brain and the spinal cord, or in other words, the entire Central Nervous System becomes extremely sensitized, and as a result, it magnifies the pain signals of the body. Thus, the body is in a state of ‘central sensitization’. As Skelly, Walker, Carson and Schoen tell us “the term central sensitization means that the entire central nervous system has become overly sensitive. All the senses can be affected- bright lights, loud sounds, spicy food, heavy perfume, or even the light touch of a child can be perceived as painful”( Skelly, Walker, Carson and Schoen, 2006). 1. Pain: The pain as described by the Mayo Clinic Staff consists of “a constant dull ache, typically arising from muscles. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist” (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2009). This condition also shows certain tender points in the body on which even if a slight pressure is applied, will produce severe and long lasting pain. The tender points are located at the backside of a patient’s head, front part of the neck, top part of the shoulders and in the area between the shoulder blades, upper chest and hips, sides of the hips, and inner knee region of the body. The pain that one experiences in FM is said to be ‘flu-like’ and can be characterized as a shooting, throbbing or a stabbing pain, accompanied with muscular twitching and aching. Often complaints related to nervous system disorder like a burning and tingling sensation with numbness in a particular area is also noticed. The pain and stiffness of body parts is generally severe in the early morning period, and increases in cold and humid weather conditions. Often the symptoms are aggravated owing to lack of physical activity, and also due to excessive physical and mental stress, and lack of sleep. 2. Fatigue: The fatigue that a person suffering from FM feels is very different from the tiredness that a normal person feels after a hard day’s work. This tiredness is always present and is all-encompassing, and often disables a person from taking part in any social or educational activities, and also causes hindrance in professional life and career. 3. Sleep disorder: Persons affected with FM experience lack of deep and restorative sleep and are constantly woken up by bursts of brain activities. This shortens the time of deep sleep a person should get normally. 4. Additional symptoms: These include irritable bowel syndromes (IBS) with abdominal cramps, constipation/ diarrhea, and irritable bladder syndrome that includes painful and frequent urination without any apparent infection, headaches, loss of memory, sensitive skin, depression, anxiety, restless movement of the legs before and during sleep, problems in co-ordination and other neurological problems. Often this disorder is present in association with other medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, lupus, Lyme disease, and hypothyroidism. Prevalence: This is a very common condition and affects around 3-6 % of the population worldwide. As Ostalecki informs, “in the United States, the prevalence of fibromyalgia is around 3.4% in females and about 0.5% in males. Prevalence increases with age, reaching 7% of females in people from 60 to 79 years old” (Ostalecki, 2007). Though this disorder is mostly seen in women, men and children are also affected by it. This disorder is also common within families, like between a mother and her children, and within siblings. Diagnoses: At present, there are no proper tests available to diagnose this disorder correctly. As Skelly, Walker, Carson and Schoen frame it. “Accurately diagnosing FM is often a challenge for practitioners. The symptoms are similar to those of a number of other illnesses and can lead doctors off track. It is only when the symptoms are present together, over a period of time, that a pattern emerges indicating FM” (Skelly, Walker, Carson and Schoen, 2006). Doctors while diagnosing the disorder mainly rely on the medical history of the patient, the symptoms as reported by the patient himself, and a physical examination of the patient that includes manual checking of the multiple tender points based on the criteria fixed by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Since lab tests for the disorder often give negative results, the syndrome may take up to 5 years to be correctly diagnosed. Another reason for late diagnoses is that the FM symptoms often overlap with other medical conditions, thus misleading the physician. The basic criteria for diagnosing a patient with FM are: The patient complaints of widespread pain that is present for a minimum period of three months. The patient has pain in at least 11 of the 18 tender points, as specified by American College of Rheumatology. Causes: The exact cause of FM is still unknown. Recent researches have shown that certain genetic factors may make some people susceptible to this disorder. A neurologist Dr. Christopher Lawrence informs, “I believe there is a genetic predisposition to FM. If you are born with certain chemical tendencies, any stress, whether physical or emotional, can trigger the illness” (cited in Skelly, Walker, Carson and Schoen, 2006). Sometimes posttraumatic strain may also result in FM. It has also been noticed that certain illnesses tend to aggravate or even trigger the FM syndrome. Treatments: Treatment for FM include both medications and self care, that includes taking care of one’s own health, having good sleep, exercising regularly and reducing stress. Medications include pain-reliving drugs like analgesics (Tylenol, Motrin, Advil), anti-depressants like (Prozac, Cymbalta, Savella) and anti-seizure drugs (Neurontin, Lyrica). Some alternative treatments like yoga, cognitive therapy, acupuncture and massage therapy also may give some amount of relief to the patient. Besides these, a patient will also require psychological and emotional support from family and friends to overcome this painful and debilitating disorder. Conclusion FM is thus a condition where the body experiences chronic pain that is widespread and without any apparent cause. Lab tests often fail to diagnose it correctly, making it more frustrating for the physician and patient, both. Treatments mostly consist of leading a conscious healthy life and taking painkillers to get relief from the pain. Further research into this syndrome is required to diagnose a patient faster so as to give better medical treatment and a quicker relief. References Mayo Clinic Staff. (23rd January 2009). Fibromyalgia. MayoClinic.com. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/fibromyalgia/DS00079/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all Ostalecki, S. (2007). Fibromyalgia: The Complete Guide from Medical Experts and Patients. MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers. 3. Skelly, M., Walker, H., Carson, R., and Schoen, D. (2006). Alternative Treatments for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Alameda: Hunter House. 11. Read More