Unique Preventable Disease

FIBROMYALGIA OUTLINE and PAMPHLET

Introduction to Fibromyalgia

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Effects of the symptoms on the body.

Risk factors and preventive steps.

(1) Demographics.

Diagnosis and Treatment for fibromyalgia.

Therapeutic and diagnostic methods for fibromyalgia.

Prognosis.

Treatment for fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia

Having many physical and clinical symptoms, Fibromyalgia is a syndrome whose effects are felt in form of extreme musculoskeletal pain. It is believed that many environmental, genetic and biological factors are responsible for the start and progress of this infection although its etiology is undermined. In many industrialized countries, its rate of occurrence is 0.7-4.7% amongst the general population. It is incidentally seen more in women than men and the general female-to-male ratio being 9-1. Due to the diverse nature of its symptoms, those infected experience major difficulties adapting to their working environment, family or their life. It also subjects the sufferers to use consultative health services and social resources more (Parra-Delgado, 2013). It is a condition that is characterized by a lot of pain. Its definitive symptoms of pain are often widely spread; it is regarded as a pain disorder.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia

People suffering from fibromyalgia often undergo terrible pain and in many cases they succumb to morning stiffness, sleep disorders and chronic fatigue. Medical treatment often doesn't result to a cure, making it necessary for patients to resort to managing it in other ways in order to improve the quality of their life (Kengen, 2012).

Fibromyalgia has several symptoms that include: (a) swelling in both hands and feet, (b) inability to tolerate muscular pain during exercise and workouts, (c) Increase in the frequency and urgency of urinating, (d) persistent anxiety and depression, (e) Being sensitive to one or several of the following; medications, certain foods, cold, odors, noise or bright lights (f)diarrhea accompanied with abdominal pain, (g)nausea, (h)constipation, bloating, (i) insomnia and fitful sleep, (j) inability to perform simple tasks, memory loss and difficulty in concentration, (k) stiff muscles due to immobility for lengthy periods (k) tension and constant migraine, (l) facial or jaw tenderness (Derrer,2014).

Its symptoms, depending on the time of the day, whether morning, late afternoon or evening, might increase. Factors such as fatigue, inactivity, tension, hormonal fluctuations, especially before menopause in women may cause it. Other factors are overexertion, cold and drafty conditions, sudden changes in the weather, depression and stress or any other psychological and emotional factors.

Effects and symptoms of the disease on a healthy body

Fibromyalgia is a disease associated with chronic pain and it greatly affects many functions of the body. Many basic symptoms and effects of the disease have been described by webmd in the following ways: 1) Moderate or severe fatigue and decreased energy directly associated with dizziness. During its onset, the victim experiences fatigue and extreme pain resulting in energy loss. 2) Some people suffering from the disease also undergo a lot of spasms and muscular pain; and in some instances, tightness. The spasms lead to muscular pain which makes it hard for a sufferer to carry out physical tasks. 3) Muscular stiffness especially immediately on waking up. Muscular pain and stiffness is mostly felt by people in their 30s and above. 4) One primitive symptom of fibromyalgia is lack of concentration and memory loss; however it is not such an obvious symptom because it is a symptom associated with many diseases.

Risk Factors and preventive steps for fibromyalgia

Some theories put forward suggest the disease is associated with abnormalities that occur in a dreamless phase of the sleep cycle, or due to low levels of a brain chemical (serotonin) that controls pain and sleep perception. Other researchers have associated fibromyalgia with a chemical responsible for muscle repair and strength (somatomedin C) or a chemical that controls the limit at which a person begins experiencing pain (substance P). Others still have cited abnormalities in blood flow in the muscles, viral and other infections like trauma as possible causes (prevention, 2014).

Researches by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) have set the standards for determining this condition. However, often it is diagnosed in people who experience severe pain with no other identifiable cause with total disregard to these standards. The time limit set for an individual to meet the criteria set is three months of widespread body pain and at least11-18 specific locations where there is tenderness.

However, it is unfortunate that there are no specific preventive measures for eradicating Fibromyalgia that have been determined so far which is a major concern for many researchers.The only known means of managing the disease is regular meditations and plenty of exercise. Also, patients are advised not to use caffeine or alcohol because these substances are responsible for disruption of restorative sleep and may worsen the symptoms.

Techniques of relaxing can also aid in relieving stress and reducing muscular tension. Again, methods of examining the stressors and learning how to avoid them may help in lessening the symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of therapy that might be helpful in helping one to learn how to manage stress by examining a person's specific and individual causes of stress. Improved quality of sleep may also assist in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia

Almost 2-5% of adult Americans suffer from this infection. This accounts for about 5 million people. It is more prevalent in men than women (web, 2013). Although it can attack at any time, this disorder is common amongst people aged 20-60 years and it always peaks at age 35 as noted by some studies. Some have suggested that it mostly affects women in their middle age, but in one study it is suggested that fibromyalgia increases with age and reaches a frequency of more than 7% in old people who have attained 60-70 years and more. There is a particular form of this disease known as Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia which attacks adolescents only; particularly girls aged 13-14.However, this type is not so common but studies suggest that its occurrence might be on the rise. It has similar symptoms to the adult form of the disease but young people show better coping ability. The best preventive method is regular exercises like jogging, cycling or swimming; as well as eating a well-balanced diet (Wierwille, 2012).

Therapeutic and diagnostic methods for fibromyalgia

To date, there is no single method for diagnosing this disease. Doctors are known to carry out many basic tests in order to determine a number of symptoms of this condition. Since a lot of patients rarely qualify for the standards set, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) proposes to introduce a new set of diagnostic standards that will take into account symptoms like problems of cognition, fatigue, and sleep disruption on top of pain. Sometimes it may take up to five days for one to be diagnosed with the disease, however, anyone suffering from muscular pain might be suspected of suffering from this disease even without proof of other obvious causes.

The American College of Rheumatology has come up with a new set of diagnostic standards to help in the identification of fibromyalgia that records the degree of symptoms a patient shows. According to how severe they appear, the symptoms are graded on a scale of 0-3. The ones looked for are a) Irritable Bowel Syndrome, b) Fatigue, c) Lack of sleep, (d, cognitive problems, (e, Nausea and Dizziness, (f, stress and depression g) The 18 tender spots that cause pain in the body are also checked. This physical check does not reveal much except for the 18 areas that form part of the diagnostic standards. Not only are these areas tender but they are also painful when pressed, and so for Fibromyalgia to be diagnosed they should be red with signs of inflammation, show swelling, appear as soft tissue and have hot joints (Kengen et al.,2012).

Prognosis

Patients who are treated through a multidisciplinary team approach show exemplary improvements and ability to cope well after sometimes. Such an approach includes a doctor who is in charge of the whole process and controls administration of medicine, alternative forms of therapy that focuses on overseeing cognitive behavior, treatment by physical therapy, exercise regime and massage by an expert, and a psychological health professional to help the patient make lifestyle adjustments suitable for successful living with the chronic pain so as to show the best results of the treatment. A patient suffering from Fibromyalgia who actively learns coping mechanisms while working closely with knowledgeable healthcare experts can realize great improvements in their quality of life and a reduction in the symptoms after sometimes. Developing a personal self-care routine revolving around identification of effective treatment plans and adjusting lifestyle priorities can successfully make a person live with Fibromyalgia. The range of medicine used to treat this disease is few, and it is also a bit hard to come up with a suitable prognosis (Wolfe et al., 2014)

Research by various experts are at odds about the best treatment outcome for victims of Fibromyalgia,.....