A Simple Guide to Fibromyalgia I

A Simple Guide to Fibromyalgia I
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What are Fibromyalgia?
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Fibromyalgia is a common nonspecific group of syndrome characterised by diffuse chronic pain, felt in and over muscle masses with focal trigger points or tender points in muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.

Who is at risk of Fibromyalgia?
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1.genetically predisposed.

2.more females than males, with a ratio of 9:1

3.individuals between the ages of 20 and 50

4.Increased psychosocial stress

5.Excessive physical exertion

6.Lack of slow-wave sleep

7.Changes in humidity and barometric pressure

8.Lack of normal energy


What are the causes of Fibromyalgia?
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The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.

Fibromyalgia is almost always a combination of several disorders:

1.Genetic predisposition

There is a polygenic predisposition to Fibromyalgia with high aggregation of Fibromyalgia in families

2. Stress

Stress can affect cortisol levels in the body leading to widespread pain.

3.Sleep disturbance

People with fibromyalgia has short wave sleep that do not reach stage four sleep .

4.Dopamine abnormality

Dopamine is a catecholamine neurotransmitter which can cause schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and addiction.

Abnormality in dopamine cause increased pain perception and analgesia.

5.Serotonin

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter important in regulating sleep patterns, mood, feelings of well-being, concentration and descending inhibition of pain.

Poor uptake of serotonin can cause pain and poor sleep.

6. Human growth hormone

Stress-induced problems in the hypothalamus may lead to reduced sleep and reduced production of human growth hormone during slow-wave sleep.

People with fibromyalgia has low levels of HGH.

Treatment with exogenous HGH or growth hormone secretagogue reduces fibromyalgia related pain and restores slow wave sleep.

7.Chronic fatigue syndrome patients has been known to develop fibromyalgia between onset and the second year of illness

8.Irritable bowel syndrome is found at high frequency in fibromyalgia.

9.Deposition disease

Fibromyalgia is an inherited disorder which cause gradual phosphate build-up in cells but can be accelerated by trauma or illness.

10.Other causes:

a.viral causes such as the Epstein-Barr Virus,

b.disease affecting the hypothalamus gland,

c.immune response to intestinal bacteria

d.neurotransmitter disruptions in the central nervous system

What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
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Symptoms can have a slow onset

Many patients have mild symptoms beginning in childhood.

Pain:

1.Onset of pain may be sudden

2.chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to light touch

3.muscle aches(especially lower back, gluteal, neck, chest wall)

4.prolonged muscle spasms,

5.nerve pain,

6.needle-like tingling of the skin,

Fatigue:

7.moderate to severe fatigue,

8.weakness in the limbs,

Psychosomatic disturbances:

9.functional bowel disorders

10.chronic sleep disturbances.

11.cognitive dysfunction

12.impaired concentration,

13.impaired speed of performance,

14.inability to multi-task,

15.diminished attention span

16.anxiety and depressive symptoms

Eye:

17.eye pain,

18.sensitivity to light

19.blurred vision,

20.fluctuating visual clarity,