Medical Insider – Dr. Cora E. Lim
FIBROMYALGIA
(Part 1)
We start with a new subject matter in this issue
of the paper. It is all about Fibromyalgia.
What is Fibromyalgia? It is a common condition
that can cause widespread pain and one (1)
person in every 25 may suffer from it.
Data have it that women are commonly affected
and the condition varies a great deal from one
person to another and from day to day.
How is fibromyalgia diagnosed? Present
condition says that there aren’t any specific
blood tests or scans that can confirm a diagnosis
of fibromyalgia. As a matter of fact, people with
fibromyalgia will have normal results.
It is also another fact, that patients usually have
specific tender points in certain areas of the
body. Yet, some guidelines released in 2010
favor a diagnosis if: the person has widespread
pain lasting three months or more; if the person
has fatigue and/or wakes up feeling unrefreshed;
if the person has problems with thought
processes like memory and understanding
(cognitive symptoms).
So what are the symptoms? Some symptoms
could be: widespread pain, often made worse by
sustained activity; tiredness (fatigue) or lack of
energy; sleep disorders; headaches; irritability;
feeling low or weepy; irritable or uncomfortable
bowels; forgetfulness or poor concentration;
increased sensitivity (to cold, sound nocks &
bumps); tender (overly sensitive) joints and
muscles; and increased stress, worry or low
mood.
What are the common symptoms? The common
symptoms include: fatigue, brain fog, depression,
chronic widespread pain; muscle and Joint
issues, and digestive issues.
What are some of the associated conditions?
There are also associated conditions which
include the following: chronic tiredness (fatigue);
depression and anxiety; headaches; joint pain in
various parts of the body; spasms in either or
both legs (restless leg syndrome); dry eyes and
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
(To be continued)