Fibromyalgia is a challenging condition to live with and to diagnose. For some it only causes mild symptoms while in others this condition is disabling and interferes with the ability to work and socialize. This condition can be present for years without an accurate diagnosis because there are no specific laboratory tests to confirm its presence. Learning to recognize the symptoms and understanding how a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made will help you play an active role in diagnosis and treating this condition.
Identification
Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical condition that causes widespread pain and many other symptoms. It is considered a syndrome rather than a disease since there is currently no identifiable cause, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association. It can affect men, women and children and there may be a genetic link. It can also occur alongside another illness or develop after a physical or emotional trauma. Current theories suggest that the syndrome involves an overactivity of the nervous system causing the many symptoms of the disease.
Considerations
In some cases diagnosing fibromyalgia involves running tests to help rule out other possible diseases that can cause similar symptoms. The American College of Rheumatology states that for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia to be made, certain symptoms should be present and chronic. Along with widespread pain for at least three months, a physician will look for fatigue, feeling unrefreshed even after sleeping, confusion, headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, bladder problems and numbness or tingling in various areas of the body.
Diagnosis
According to the Mayo Clinic, it can take years to diagnose fibromyalgia. However while not required for a diagnosis, some fibromyalgia patients have tender spots on the body that are suggestive of this condition. There are 18 known tender spots that are found in the neck, shoulder, back arms and legs. A rheumatologist will look for at least 11 of these spots to be tender to even a light touch. Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary and go through periods of remission and flares, it may take several office visits to help make a correct diagnosis.
Treatment
After a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made, the National Institutes of Health recommends seeking a multidisciplinary approach to managing this condition. This includes medications for pain and inflammation, physical therapy to help learn about modalities such as exercise, heat and bracing, and pain management counseling to help formulate coping skills and techniques to lessen the severity of disability. It will be important to get plenty of rest, eat a healthy diet and lose any excess weight that may be placing stress on the muscles and joints.
Alternative Therapy
A diagnosis of fibromyalgia can affect a person physically, emotionally and socially. Learning about the presence of a chronic incurable condition can be stressful and upsetting. While it is always best to check with a physician first, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that there are other therapies that may help. These includes biofeedback, massage, acupuncture, yoga, chiropractic treatments and tai chi. While more research is needed to study the effectiveness of complementary therapies, they may help to reduce stress, muscular tension and and provide a sense of playing an active role in managing the condition.
References
- National Fibromyalgia Association: Fibromyalgia Fact Sheet
- American College of Rheumatology: Fibromyalgia
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research: Understand the Fibromyalgia Diagnosis Process
- National Institutes of Health: Fibromyalgia Patient Tutorial
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Fibromyalgia and CAM: At a Glance
