Fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome

Friday, November 28, 2008

Fibromyalgia is a form of generalized muscular pain and fatigue that affects approximately 3.7 million Americans. The name fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles and the fibrous connective tissues (the ligaments and tendons). Fibromyalgia lacks laboratory abnormalities; instead, the diagnosis depends mostly on a person’s report or complaints and feelings. Pain is the most prominent symptom of fibromyalgia. It generally occurs throughout the body, although it may start in one region, such as the neck and shoulders, and spread to other areas over a period of time.A majority of people with fibromyalgia experience moderate or severe fatigue with lack of energy, decreased exercise endurance, or the kind of exhaustion that results from the flu or lack of sleep. Sometimes the fatigue is more of a problem than the pain. Headaches, especially muscular (tension headaches) and migraine headaches, are common in fibromyalgia. Abdominal pain, bloating and alternating constipation and bladder spasms and irritability may cause urinary urgency or frequency. A person's skin and blood circulation can be sensitive to temperature changes, resulting in temporary changes in skin color. As a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist, I take a different approach to the treatment and prevention of fibromyalgia. After a thorough neurological exam, I determine which part of the nervous system is not functioning properly. In many fibromyalgia patients I may find a high mesencephalic output. There are three parts to the brain stem: top, middle and lower. The mesencephalon is the top part of the brain stem. A high output of the mesencephalon will cause an increased pulse and heart rate, the inability to sleep, or a waking, fitful sleep. Other symptoms might include urinary tract infections, increased warmth and sweating, and sensitivity to light. Along with a high mesencephalic output, the fibromyalgia patient may present with a decreased output of the cerebellum. The cerebellum controls coordinated movement and all of the muscles of the spinal column. No matter what the condition, it is imperative that the chiropractic neurologist performs a thorough and comprehensive exam to determine the exact nature of the patient’s condition.Fibromyalgia patients, as with all chronic (symptoms longer than six months) type patients must be monitored closely, before and after treatments (blood pressure, pulse SpO2). If the patient is not monitored, it is possible to over-stimulate or exceed metabolic capacity. Since the upper part of the brain stem (mesencephalon) is firing at an abnormally high rate, I will want to utilize modalities that will lower the mesencephalic output. Fibromyalgia syndrome is more common than people think. As many as 3 million to 6 million people, mostly women, suffer from fibromyalgia pain. Though it gets a bad rap as a mystery condition that people seem to "make up," its symptoms are very real, very painful, and very hard to treat and diagnose. Fibromyalgia symptoms include muscle pain spread across the body, tiredness or extreme fatigue, and what are called "tender points," which can be in many spots at the same time around the body. And the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome don't stop there. If you suffer from this chronic pain syndrome, you can have your sleep disturbed, be extremely stiff in the morning, suffer from headaches, experience numbness or tingling in your extremities, or even suffer from memory problems. The fibromyalgia pain can even lead to what's called restless leg syndrome, or what could be worse, irritable bowel syndrome. To develop a worthwhile fibromyalgia treatment, scientists and doctors need to first figure out what the heck causes the chronic pain syndrome. They're not sure if environmental - something in your everyday life - or hereditary factors cause fibromyalgia syndrome. And they don't know why 80 percent to 90 percent of people who experience the condition tend to be women, mostly in their middle age years. Don't panic, though, if you feel that you have fibromyalgia syndrome. Fibromyalgia treatment is possible, especially if you talk with your doctor and tap into his expertise. There are a host of over-the-counter and prescription painkillers that are available to combat the chronic pain, such as NSAIDs, and antidepressants may have an effect for reducing pain. Some alternative therapy experts recommend a whole host of wholesome, natural remedies as fibromyalgia treatment. First, you could try alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and chiropractic therapy. Exercise may have a positive effect as well on fibromyalgia syndrome. We're talking such fun as Pilates, yoga, light weight resistance exercises and walking. If anything, getting your body moving and your blood flowing will loosen up the stiffness, and take your mind off the pain and the tender points. Some experts even claim that a fibromyalgia diet is the key to freeing yourself from the chronic pain condition. Though traditional medicine hasn't found the proof for such arguments, it doesn't hurt, ever, to eat healthier and take care of your body in general. A balanced diet -complete with veggies and fruits, whole grains and pastas, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy - can help reduce your chances of high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and a host of other chronic and dangerous conditions. (Fibromyalgia And Chronic Pain Syndrome)
tag： Fibromyalgia