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Fibromyalgia : :

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder, and the cause is still uncertain. FMS causes pain in the tendons and muscles, fatigue, headaches, stiffness, and insomnia.

FMS is NOT a disease. It is a syndrome : :

Fibromyalgia is a symptom because diseases are a result of a clearly identifiable set of symptoms with a cause. For example, a cold is a disease because the viral infection can be identified as the cause. FMS has not yet had an identified cause.

Major Fibromyalgia Symptoms : :

  1. Pain – The pain of FMS varies. People have reported muscular aches, throbbing, shooting, intense burning, and stabbing. Stiffness my also occur and are worse in the morning. Pain in often used muscle groups are higher.
  2. Fatigue – This symptom varies by person as well. It may be mild or completely overwhelming. Fatigue has been reported as the feeling of “being drained of energy”. People with FMS also have brain fatigue and often times have trouble concentrating.
  3. Sleeping Disorder – Most FMS patients have an associated sleep disorder. Researchers found that most FMS patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity.
  4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Constipation, diarrhea, frequent abdominal pain, gas, and nausea.
  5. Chronic Headaches – Recurrent migraine or tension-type headaches are seen in half of FMS patients. Trouble focusing and mental fatigue occur as well.

Other Common Symptoms : :

Premenstrual syndrome and painful periods, chest pain, stiffness, memory impairment, numbness / tingling, restless legs, muscle twitch and aches, skin sensitivity, face / jaw pain, dry eyes and mouth, irritable bladder, feelings of swollen extremities. Patients are often sensitive to odors, bright lights, loud noises, and sometimes the medications prescribed.

Possible causes : :

The causes of FMS remain elusive, but there are many triggering events to create its onset. A few examples would be infection, a physically traumatizing accident, arthritis, lupus, or hypothyroidism. These triggering events probably don’t cause FMS but rather, may awaken an underlying physical abnormality that is already present.

Theories pertaining to alterations in pain related chemical transmitters, immune system function, sleep physiology, and hormonal irregularities are under investigation.

Immune system dysfunction either leading to or resulting from viral infections has been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and FMS. Research suggests possible irregular interactions between the nervous system and the immune system. Bacterial attacks can wear down the immune system and allow the effects of FMS to sink in. Stress and depression are also causes that affect the immune system.

Immune system dysfunction either leading to or resulting from viral infections has been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome and FMS. Research suggests possible irregular interactions between the nervous system and the immune system. Bacterial attacks can wear down the immune system and allow the effects of FMS to sink in. Stress and depression are also causes that affect the immune system.

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