The life of a patient with Fibromyalgia is characterized by daily and chronic pain without knowing the cause. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), also called Fibromyalgia (FM) is a long term condition that affects the muscles and soft tissue and causes chronic muscle pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and painful tender points. The exact cause of myalgia is unknown, but can be relieved through medications, stress management and lifestyle changes.
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia. It can occur in people of any age, even children and the elderly especially between the ages 30 and 50. Statistics does not clearly state how many people are affected by FMS, although research suggests that at least 1 in 20 people are affected by fibromyalgia, or 3-5% of the general population occurring more in women than in men. The main reason why a specific figure can't be determined is the fact that fibromyalgia is a condition that that is difficult to diagnose. This means that there is no specific test for the condition and that the symptoms are similar to other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis.
People with Fibromyalgia often experience symptoms that can be debilitating like widespread pain, headaches or migraines, fatigue, sleep difficulties, morning stiffness, digestive disorders, and a lot more. Moreover, fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to odors, noises, and pain.
Fibromyalgia is often a misunderstood condition. Although it is characterized by symptoms, there are no tests to prove whether or not the person has it. One pain specialist, Dr. David Johnson, also suspects that fibromyalgia and other chronic pain diseases could be caused by a series of viruses. He found out that his FMS patients were positive from 3 to 9 viruses each over his list which is composed of 17 viruses. Furthermore, he believes that the viruses are able to replicate cell material because the immune system does not recognize the viruses as pathogens.
The connection of FMS and viruses definitely has interesting hypotheses which explains why fibromyalgia is similar to chronic fatigue syndrome and its link to HHV-6 and other herpes virus family. Consequently, researchers suspect that viruses or viral illnesses can trigger fibromyalgia and other similar condition like chronic fatigue syndrome. Daniel C. Dantini, author and a Florida otolaryngologist, who has fibromyalgia himself believes that FMS is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus 6, or parvovirus.
One prominent name in the probe of herpes virus and fibromyalgia is Dr. William Pridgen. He and his co-workers at Innovative Med Concepts believed that herpes viruses are the underlying cause and the key to understanding Fibromyalgia. This conclusion has been made after his four-month study with 143 patients. Furthermore, he stated that there was a pattern among his patients with chronic gastrointestinal issues where they would get better. But then they would get sick again or all the time after a stressful event.
The treatment for Fibromyalgia includes a thorough history and physical exam. Since the symptoms of FMS are similar to other diseases, a doctor must rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. Several studies involving the link of FMS and herpes viruses have changed how fibromyalgia patients are treated. Currently, the treatment can include prescription medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques.
Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mdgovpics/
Anyone can develop fibromyalgia. It can occur in people of any age, even children and the elderly especially between the ages 30 and 50. Statistics does not clearly state how many people are affected by FMS, although research suggests that at least 1 in 20 people are affected by fibromyalgia, or 3-5% of the general population occurring more in women than in men. The main reason why a specific figure can't be determined is the fact that fibromyalgia is a condition that that is difficult to diagnose. This means that there is no specific test for the condition and that the symptoms are similar to other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis.
People with Fibromyalgia often experience symptoms that can be debilitating like widespread pain, headaches or migraines, fatigue, sleep difficulties, morning stiffness, digestive disorders, and a lot more. Moreover, fibromyalgia patients are more sensitive to odors, noises, and pain.
Fibromyalgia is often a misunderstood condition. Although it is characterized by symptoms, there are no tests to prove whether or not the person has it. One pain specialist, Dr. David Johnson, also suspects that fibromyalgia and other chronic pain diseases could be caused by a series of viruses. He found out that his FMS patients were positive from 3 to 9 viruses each over his list which is composed of 17 viruses. Furthermore, he believes that the viruses are able to replicate cell material because the immune system does not recognize the viruses as pathogens.
The connection of FMS and viruses definitely has interesting hypotheses which explains why fibromyalgia is similar to chronic fatigue syndrome and its link to HHV-6 and other herpes virus family. Consequently, researchers suspect that viruses or viral illnesses can trigger fibromyalgia and other similar condition like chronic fatigue syndrome. Daniel C. Dantini, author and a Florida otolaryngologist, who has fibromyalgia himself believes that FMS is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus 6, or parvovirus.
One prominent name in the probe of herpes virus and fibromyalgia is Dr. William Pridgen. He and his co-workers at Innovative Med Concepts believed that herpes viruses are the underlying cause and the key to understanding Fibromyalgia. This conclusion has been made after his four-month study with 143 patients. Furthermore, he stated that there was a pattern among his patients with chronic gastrointestinal issues where they would get better. But then they would get sick again or all the time after a stressful event.
The treatment for Fibromyalgia includes a thorough history and physical exam. Since the symptoms of FMS are similar to other diseases, a doctor must rule out other diseases that can cause similar symptoms. Several studies involving the link of FMS and herpes viruses have changed how fibromyalgia patients are treated. Currently, the treatment can include prescription medications, cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation techniques.
Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mdgovpics/