Fibromyalgia Analysis


Outline:


            The main goal of this paper is to analyse Fibromyalgia, for this analysis, the following outline will be followed:


I.              Context of Fibromyalgia


II.            People affected by the Disease


III.           Diagnosis of the Disease


IV.          Treatment of Fibromyalgia


Context of Fibromyalgia


Fibromyalgia syndrome is regarded as one of the chronic disorders which are characterized by diffuse tenderness, widespread pain and other symptoms.  Though this chronic disease is often noted as an arthritis-related health condition, studies have shown that this disease is not a form of arthritis since it does not cause damage or inflammation of the muscles, joints, or other cell tissues. However, like arthritis, this can also lead to fatigue and significant pain and it can also interfere with the ability of the individuals to do their daily activities. In addition, this disease is also considered as a rheumatic situation which is a medical condition that leads to joints’ and soft tissues impairment that leads to chronic pain. Symptoms of this disease may consider the following: cognitive and memory problems which is commonly termed as “fibro fog”), disturbances in sleep, headaches and morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, numbness or tingling of the extremities, painful menstrual periods, temperature sensitivity, restless legs syndrome and sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights. Most medical authorities consider this as a syndrome rather than an illness.


Who Gets Fibromyalgia?


            According to some scientists, there are 5 million individuals in the United States who are affected by the disease with age ranging from 18 years and above. It has been noted that majority of individuals who have this syndrome are 80-90% women and are mostly diagnosed in their middle age. Those individuals who have rheumatic diseases, which include systemic lupus erythematosus, heumatoid arthritis,or ankylosing spondylitis (spinal arthritis) can also have this kind of disease as well. Studies have noted that women who have member of the family with fibromyalgia have a greater tendency to be diagnosed with the disease but the reason whether it is hereditary or because of environmental factors are still not known in the health research. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) is conducting a study on determining if variations in specific genes cause some individuals to be more sensitive to stimuli, that leads to pain syndromes.


  Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

Studies have noted that individuals with this kind of disease usually see many doctors before having been able to receive diagnosis. One aspect is that, the fatigue and pain which is the major symptoms of this disease overlaps with those other health conditions. Hence, health authorities have to rule out other probable cause firsts before making fibromyalgia diagnosis.  In addition, authorities are still lacking diagnostic laboratory tests for this kind of disease since those standard laboratory tests have failed in revealing a physiologic reason for pain. Since there are not actual and generally accepted diagnosis test for this disease, some health authorities and professionals some doctors unfortunately may conclude that the pain of the patient is unreal or they cannot provide exact treatment for such pain.


Although this disease is neither degenerative nor fatal, the chronic pain caused by fibromyalgia is very persistent and pervasive. Hence, most fibromyalgia patients report that they do not feel changes in symptoms over time.  In a recent study, it has been noted that out of 15 factors, self-assessed inability to work, pain levels, pending litigation, psychological distress, level of education, helplessness, and coping ability had a significant as well as independent connection with the symptom function and severity (Goldenberg, Mossey and Schmid, 1995).


Fibromyalgia Treatment

Being able to give the description as well as the process of diagnosing this disease, it can be said that this type of syndrome is very difficult to treat.  Accordingly, not all doctors can be familiar with this disease and its treatment, hence, it is essential to find a specialist that can treat fibromyalgia.  The treatment often needs a team approach, from the doctor, a physical therapist, other health care professionals and most essentially the patient.  Thought it is hard to establish such team, since the patient may have difficulties in finding the right health care professionals to seek treatment. 


On one hand, there are various members of the treatment team that a patient can find in the clinic who are specialists in pain and rheumatology clinics specializing in in arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, the includes fibromyalgia. In terms of medications, there are only three medicines which are approved by the US food And drug administration for treating fibromyalgia. Hence, the patient must be really careful in taking these medications to avoid more complexities and atrocities


Reference


Goldenberg DL, Mossey CJ, Schmid CH. (December 1995). “A model to assess severity and impact of fibromyalgia”. J Rheumatol. 22 (12): 2313–8.


 


 



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