Fibromyalgia Syndrome

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 06/29/2006 at 12:39PM

Fibromyalgia syndrome is one of the most widespread, chronic, and puzzling conditions known to modern medicine. It affects the whole body causing pain, fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, digestive disorders, and other related symptoms. Moreover, although the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome have been evident in scientific literature since the early twentieth century, it was not until the 1980s that doctors began researching treatments for the condition.

If you think you are suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome, you are not alone. It affects roughly four million Americans, as well as people from every country and in every culture on the planet.

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a unique set of symptoms that are somewhat related to arthritis. However, unlike arthritis, fibromyalgia syndrome does not damage the joints. It is a type of soft-tissue rheumatism that causes pain and stiffness in the joints as well as the muscles and bones. In general, the American College of Rheumatology defines fibromyalgia syndrome as encompassing two main symptoms. First, this condition causes widespread pain throughout the body that lasts for at least three months. Pain is considered widespread when it simultaneously affects the left and right side of the body, as well as above and below the waist. Widespread pain also includes axial skeletal pain that affects the cervical spine, the neck, chest, upper back, and lower back. The other criteria involve pain upon manual palpitation in at least eleven of the eighteen designated tender points located on the body. In order for a tender point to be considered positive, the patient must feel pain and not just tenderness. These tender points include areas around the head, neck, shoulders, buttocks, elbows, and knees.

Who Gets Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia is a very common pain syndrome that can affect people of any age, even children, although it strikes most often between the ages of twenty and fifty-five. Women are ten times more likely than men to develop the condition. There is also a significant link between people who suffer from lyme disease and rheumatoid arthritis and those who develop fibromyalgia syndrome. About twenty percent of patients with rheumatoid arthritis develop fibromyalgia syndrome. Although, when the rheumatoid arthritis improves, the symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome usually remain unaffected.

What Causes Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Doctors are not entirely sure what causes fibromyalgia syndrome, although injury, trauma, infection, lack of exercise, changes in muscle metabolism, chronic fatigue syndrome, and depression have all been suggested as possible causes. Current research is primarily focused on the relationship between hormones and fibromyalgia syndrome. Many researchers feel that abnormalities in the secretion of certain neural hormones may affect sleep patterns, pain sensation, immunity, emotions, and the constricting and dilating of blood vessels. The latest change in the research states that Lyme Disease may be the primary cause of Fibromyalgia.

The Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a set of symptoms. The combination and intensity of these symptoms will vary from person to person and even from day to day. Weather, stress, and physical activity, can also affect fibromyalgia symptoms. The major symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome include:

Pain: Widespread pain is the most common and prominent symptom of this condition. Some sufferers describe it as knifelike while others feel more of a muscle cramp. The pain can vary depending upon weather, sleep patterns, stress, activity level, and time of day. However, there is usually some degree of pain present at all times in specific areas of the body. These areas include the back of the head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees. Most people who suffer from fibromyalgia say it feels like a persistent flu.
Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances: An overwhelming majority (about ninety percent) of people who suffer from fibromyalgia also report a moderate to severe level of fatigue. It can range from listlessness to exhaustion, and it can vary throughout the day and from one day to the next. Fibromyalgia is also associated with nighttime muscle spasms and restless leg syndrome. Sufferers often wake up exhausted, even after a full night's sleep, because they have missed the restorative stage of deep sleep.
Depression and Anxiety: Twenty five percent of people who suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome are considered clinically depressed and require treatment for depression from a health care professional. While many others report simply feeling down, blue, or anxious on frequent occasions. Many researchers are convinced there is a biological link between fibromyalgia and depression, however, there are unsure if depression is the result of fibromyalgia or the cause of it.
Other Symptoms: Stiffness, headaches, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, vertigo, difficulty with balance, chest pain, suicidal tendencies, short-term memory loss or difficulty with cognitive function, and difficulty concentrating are all additional symptoms often associated with fibromyalgia syndrome.

How Can I Treat Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Relieving the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia can be a difficult and time-consuming process. It may take some time to figure out what changes will work for you. Your health care provider will work with you to develop a course of treatment that will specifically fit your condition. The most important elements for recovery involve diet, exercise, rest, and immune strengthening supplements.

The Best Fibromyalgia Resources

Fibromyalgia CAN be eliminated with the proper care. For more information on Fibromyalgia, visit www.fibromyalgia-support.org

After studying fibromyalgia for years, I have reason to believe fibromyalgia is caused by lack of oxygen in the tissue caused by many different factors. Recent studies suggest 90% or more of fibromyalgia sufferers have Lyme disease. You can call the Bowen Institute for more information and take the QRiBb test to check for the lyme disease bacteria.

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