Fibromyalgia is a painful condition that usually runs in families. Its specific cause is not known. It has, however, been linked to genetics and factors such as physical injury, infection and depression among others. The pain experienced in this condition is related to sensitization in the central nervous system. There are a number of of facts on coping with fibromyalgia Winnipeg residents may find useful.
The signs and symptoms of this disease depend on which system is affected. However, the general concern in most cases is pain. Commonly, patients complain of pain in various muscles in the body. Muscle pain is medically termed as myalgia. In addition, patients may present with disorientation in their sleep cycle, poor eyesight, heart palpitations, pain in the urinary tract and an irritable bowel among other systemic signs and symptoms.
Diagnosis of the disease depends on certain factors. In the criterion used for diagnosis, the pain should last longer than three months. In addition, the pain should be widespread enough to involve all the four quadrants of the body. This means that the areas above and below the waist, on either side, have to be involved.
Fibromyalgia is normally a clinical diagnosis. Laboratory investigations and radiological imaging have a minimal role to play. Their main use is to rule conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. In this regard, it is crucial for the clinician to take a detailed history and conduct a thorough physical examination. The doctor needs to find when the condition first manifested itself, its pattern of progression and whether there are any family members who suffer from the same. It is therefore key that the doctor creates good rapport with their patient.
No established cure has been found to definitively treat the condition. Researchers have, however, come up with ways of keeping the disease under control. One of the approaches is the use of medication to alleviate pain. The medication used depends on how severe the pain is. Strong opioids are used in situations where the pain is unbearable. Due to the serious side effects associated with opioids, their use is only recommended when other options have failed to achieve the desired effects. Muscle relaxants and antidepressants also play a key role in management and are at times alongside analgesic agents.
Non pharmacological techniques that have been shown to be effective include exercise, art, music and occupational therapy. The latter three are especially good in the long term management of this condition. The patient is given guidance as to how best they can exercise. Only tolerable exercises should be undertaken and the intensity increased gradually over time.
Despite the condition not being fatal, the prognosis is generally not a good one. This is mainly due to the long term nature of the condition. Other factors such as depression also contribute to poor outcomes if management is not intensified.
To summarize, it is important to state that fibromyalgia can be contained as long as there is commitment portrayed by the healthcare providers, the patients themselves and their social support system. Interestingly, it only affects five percent of the population with women being common victims.This makes it fairly misunderstood by many people.
The signs and symptoms of this disease depend on which system is affected. However, the general concern in most cases is pain. Commonly, patients complain of pain in various muscles in the body. Muscle pain is medically termed as myalgia. In addition, patients may present with disorientation in their sleep cycle, poor eyesight, heart palpitations, pain in the urinary tract and an irritable bowel among other systemic signs and symptoms.
Diagnosis of the disease depends on certain factors. In the criterion used for diagnosis, the pain should last longer than three months. In addition, the pain should be widespread enough to involve all the four quadrants of the body. This means that the areas above and below the waist, on either side, have to be involved.
Fibromyalgia is normally a clinical diagnosis. Laboratory investigations and radiological imaging have a minimal role to play. Their main use is to rule conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. In this regard, it is crucial for the clinician to take a detailed history and conduct a thorough physical examination. The doctor needs to find when the condition first manifested itself, its pattern of progression and whether there are any family members who suffer from the same. It is therefore key that the doctor creates good rapport with their patient.
No established cure has been found to definitively treat the condition. Researchers have, however, come up with ways of keeping the disease under control. One of the approaches is the use of medication to alleviate pain. The medication used depends on how severe the pain is. Strong opioids are used in situations where the pain is unbearable. Due to the serious side effects associated with opioids, their use is only recommended when other options have failed to achieve the desired effects. Muscle relaxants and antidepressants also play a key role in management and are at times alongside analgesic agents.
Non pharmacological techniques that have been shown to be effective include exercise, art, music and occupational therapy. The latter three are especially good in the long term management of this condition. The patient is given guidance as to how best they can exercise. Only tolerable exercises should be undertaken and the intensity increased gradually over time.
Despite the condition not being fatal, the prognosis is generally not a good one. This is mainly due to the long term nature of the condition. Other factors such as depression also contribute to poor outcomes if management is not intensified.
To summarize, it is important to state that fibromyalgia can be contained as long as there is commitment portrayed by the healthcare providers, the patients themselves and their social support system. Interestingly, it only affects five percent of the population with women being common victims.This makes it fairly misunderstood by many people.
About the Author:
Make sure you check out the following homepage to find out about coping with fibromyalgia Winnipeg patients suffer from. Feel free to visit this website on http://www.fmswinnipeg.com/education right now!