Symptoms of FIBROMYALGIA

These Articles come from the Mayo Clinic (a very well known Clinic).


Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff

Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day.


Widespread pain and tender points

The pain associated with fibromyalgia is described as a constant dull ache, typically arising from muscles. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.

Fibromyalgia is characterized by additional pain when firm pressure is applied to specific areas of your body, called tender points. Tender point locations include:

Back of the head
Between shoulder blades
Top of shoulders
Front sides of neck
Upper chest
Outer elbows
Upper hips
Sides of hips
Inner knees


Fatigue and sleep disturbances

People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they seem to get plenty of sleep. Experts believe that these people rarely reach the deep restorative stage of sleep. Sleep disorders that have been linked to fibromyalgia include restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.


Co-existing conditions

Many people who have fibromyalgia also may have:

Chronic fatigue syndrome
Depression
Endometriosis
Headaches
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Lupus
Osteoarthritis
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Restless legs syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis



Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff


Doctors don't know what causes fibromyalgia, but it most likely involves a variety of factors working together. These may include:

Genetics.
Because fibromyalgia tends to run in families, there may be certain genetic mutations that may make you more susceptible to developing the disorder.

Infections.
Some illnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.

Physical or emotional trauma.
Post-traumatic stress disorder has been linked to fibromyalgia.

Why does it hurt?
Current thinking centers around a theory called central sensitization. This theory states that people with fibromyalgia have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals.

Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain (neurotransmitters). In addition, the brain's pain receptors seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals.



Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff


Tender points
The American College of Rheumatology has established two criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia:

Widespread pain lasting at least three months

At least 11 positive tender points — out of a total possible of 18


Tender points
During your physical exam, your doctor may check specific places on your body for tenderness. The amount of pressure used during this exam is usually just enough to whiten the doctor's fingernail bed. These 18 tender points are a hallmark for fibromyalgia.

Blood tests
While there is no lab test to confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, your doctor may want to rule out other conditions that may have similar symptoms. Blood tests may include:

Complete blood count
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Thyroid function tests


These were just a Few things posted about FIBROMYALGIA.....if you want to read more about this Condition, click on the link below:

http://mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079