Fibrositis (fibromyalgia syndromes, myofascial pain syndromes) are a group of disorders characterized by chronic widespread aches and pains in the muscles, muscle sheath and connective tissues of tendons, muscles, bones and joints, with associated tenderness.
The pain and stiffness (fibromyalgia) may affect the whole body or may be restricted to certain parts of the body, as in myofascial pain syndromes. Fibromyalgia throughout the body is more common in women than in men. Men are more likely to develop myofascial pain or fibromyalgia in a particular area e.g. a shoulder ,from a work related or sports muscle strain injury.
It is a common condition seen in 4 to 11% of the population and is more prevalent in women. It can affect any age group. It is not serious or life-threatening, but persistent symptoms can be very disruptive.
Causes
Unknown. However, fibromyalgia may be triggered by mental or physical stress, inadequate sleep, an injury, exposure to dampness or cold, certain infections and possibly related to imbalance in brain chemicals or auto-immune disorder.
It is not a psychological disorder.
Prevention :
Avoid risk factors when possible.
Get adequate sleep.
General conditioning exercises
Showing posts with label Fibromyalgia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fibromyalgia. Show all posts
Possible causes of Chronic Pain
- Pain associated with chronic disease can not be treated properly and that causes pain: osteoarthritis, diabetes (can cause neuropathy), multiple sclerosis, cancer, AIDS, trigeminal neuralgia, sickle cell anemia, etc..
- A poorly relieved acute pain that persists beyond the normal period of recovery or lasting longer than six months: after an accident at work (eg back pain), surgery, an episode of shingles, etc..
- Pain whose cause is poorly defined: migraine, fibromyalgia.
- A phantom pain following an amputation. In this case, the pain comes from damage done to the nerves.
- Pain maintained by the nervous system without apparent trigger, as is the case of regional pain syndrome complex.
The Pain Differs in Women
Women feel pain more severe, more frequent and longer durations than men but are less likely to receive appropriate treatment according to the International Association for the Study of Pain.
Most doctors are insufficiently informed about the research showing genetic differences, biological and hormonal in the way pain affects women, which has implications for treatments prescribed to women, said Dr. Beverly Collett at the 12th World Congress on bread.
Most doctors are insufficiently informed about the research showing genetic differences, biological and hormonal in the way pain affects women, which has implications for treatments prescribed to women, said Dr. Beverly Collett at the 12th World Congress on bread.
Many are not aware, for example, as painkillers such as Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) are less effective for women and they cause more side effects in the past.
The long-term conditions such as migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and fibromyalgia are more common among women.
Despite this, many women are still not believed by doctors and given a psychiatric diagnosis. While depression often accompanies the pain, it is rarely the case.
"It is only ten years since we started to understand these differences and this remains an area where there is not enough research. But even the current knowledge were not made until the average physician who has no idea that drugs such as paracetamol and morphine work differently in women, "said Dr Collett.
For example, a Swedish study showed last year that women having a heart attack are more likely to feel pain in the shoulders and back rather than in the chest and left arm. Most doctors and nurses are unaware of these differences, which has consequences threatening the lives of women, "she said.
Until recently, most pain studies were conducted on male rodents and the majority of clinical trials for drugs are made with men.
The long-term conditions such as migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis and fibromyalgia are more common among women.
Despite this, many women are still not believed by doctors and given a psychiatric diagnosis. While depression often accompanies the pain, it is rarely the case.
"It is only ten years since we started to understand these differences and this remains an area where there is not enough research. But even the current knowledge were not made until the average physician who has no idea that drugs such as paracetamol and morphine work differently in women, "said Dr Collett.
For example, a Swedish study showed last year that women having a heart attack are more likely to feel pain in the shoulders and back rather than in the chest and left arm. Most doctors and nurses are unaware of these differences, which has consequences threatening the lives of women, "she said.
Until recently, most pain studies were conducted on male rodents and the majority of clinical trials for drugs are made with men.
