...Fibromyalgia Jamie A Cothran Mod 04 writing assignement Fibromyalgia: The Pathophysiology Abstract The mystery surrounding fibromyalgia has been long and tedious. At first neurology did not want to claim it saying it was a psychiatric problem, then psychiatric said no the pain of the disease gives you depression and anxiety , and they pushed it off to musculoskeletal system. Where ever it starts, for the patient, the pain is real, it’s their perception. It’s not up to us to judge, but up to us to help ease the pain, and hopefully one day find a cure. But first we must understand how it manifests. With no concrete scientific evidence and only theories to date, we can at least see ways to help ease the pain; therapies to help make the patients more active and have a better quality of life. Fibromyalgia: The Pathophysiology Much debate of Fibromyalgia has existed since the first diagnosis. Some people are lead to believe that it replaced Chronic Pain Syndrome and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Did it, we will examine that here. Depending on who you talk to Fibromyalgia exists, Endocrinology says no and Neurology says yes. Who’s right, which is what we will find out? What we do know; “Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by widespread joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and tender points” (McCance RN & Huether RN, 2010, p. 1606). If that is Fibromyalgia does that not describe Chronic Pain Syndrome? Well yes and no, Chronic...
Words: 2377 - Pages: 10
...Fibromyalgia: The Pathophysiology Abstract The mystery surrounding fibromyalgia has been long and tedious. At first neurology did not want to claim it saying it was a psychiatric problem, then psychiatric said no the pain of the disease gives you depression and anxiety , and they pushed it off to musculoskeletal system. Where ever it starts, for the patient, the pain is real, it’s their perception. It’s not up to us to judge, but up to us to help ease the pain, and hopefully one day find a cure. But first we must understand how it manifests. With no concrete scientific evidence and only theories to date, we can at least see ways to help ease the pain; therapies to help make the patients more active and have a better quality of life. Fibromyalgia: The Pathophysiology Much debate of Fibromyalgia has existed since the first diagnosis. Some people are lead to believe that it replaced Chronic Pain Syndrome and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Did it, we will examine that here. Depending on who you talk to Fibromyalgia exists, Endocrinology says no and Neurology says yes. Who’s right, which is what we will find out? What we do know; “Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal syndrome characterized by widespread joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and tender points” (McCance RN & Huether RN, 2010, p. 1606). If that is Fibromyalgia does that not describe Chronic Pain Syndrome? Well yes and no, Chronic Pain Syndrome usually stays, is always with you all the time, whereas Fibromyalgia...
Words: 2388 - Pages: 10
...Therapeutic Exercise Prescription Concepts Applied to Patients Diagnosed With Fibromyalgia Pain is defined as an “unpleasant feeling, conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons” (Medical Dictionary, 2013). Pain is a subjective interpretation, which describes location, intensity and nature of sensory information resulted from noxious stimulation of nerve endings. The emotional response and other various conscious or unconscious responses add to the concept of pain. Acute pain usually results from tissue damage and it usually ends once the injury is healed. Chronic pain is a long term condition related to a persistent or degenerative disease or it doesn’t have an identifiable cause. Although there are different opinions about when a patient can be declared as suffering from chronic pain (after six months or twelve months), the presence of such sensation after the healing period usually leads to this diagnosis. One of the diseases with a generalized chronic pain as a symptom, which continues to generate many debates in the medical world, is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia, a disorder that affects the overall system and has an effect of generalized chronic pain, will be delineated in this paper, including its causes, manifestation, and part of the process of managing this disease in which a kinesiologist would have a central role. Fibromyalgia, estimated to affect 4% of the population, is a compilation of symptoms accompanying pain, which include fatigue, stiffness and sleep disturbance...
Words: 2194 - Pages: 9
...How Acupuncture Is Beneficial In Reducing Fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia affects nearly 5 million Americans, particularly women. This disorder is described by diffuse tenderness and widespread pain. Even though there would not be cure, tailored acupuncture may offer some welcome respite as per a new study. Though very hard to categorize, fibromyalgia seems to be a rheumatic condition as it will impair soft tissues as well as joints by causing pain. Along with it, fibromyalgia carries many other life-disrupting symptoms varying from one individual to other. Some of these symptoms include headaches, stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome and also sensitivity to sounds, temperature and bright lights as well. The accurate cause of fibromyalgia is not well understood, but hypothesized culprits include stressful or traumatic life events along with repetitive injuries. There may also be connections to several other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Some researchers even believe that there would be a genetic element at work. As there would not be any...
Words: 514 - Pages: 3
...Fibromyalgia [pic] Exercise for Special Populations February 17, 2012 Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) is a debilitating neurological disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and fatigue. It affects approximately 2% of the population, and is more common in women than in men. Central nervous system sensitization affects the entire body, leading to many secondary symptoms. This paper will cover the history, symptoms, and causes of FMS as well as known treatments and exercise prescription for the syndrome. Fibromyalgia has been described as a full-body migraine. Another common explanation is to compare everyday life with FMS as being similar to the aches and pains associated with a severe case of the flu. FMS patients experience intermittent flares, which are episodes of increased symptoms. Flares usually occur in response to physical or emotional stress, a schedule change, an illness or injury, a new job, the birth of a child, etc. While fibromyalgia is not considered a degenerative disorder, its symptoms usually become more severe if the patient also has a degenerative disorder such as arthritis. First, a patient must have experienced continuous pain in all four quadrants of the body for at least three months (Wolfe et al., 1990). Doctors will usually order many tests in order to rule out other conditions that might be confused with fibromyalgia. The key diagnostic tool for FMS is the tender point exam. No more than...
Words: 1578 - Pages: 7
...assignment I have chosen to discuss fibromyalgia Fybromyalgia simply means pain (algia) coming from muscles (my) and fibrous tissues (fibro) such as tendons and ligaments. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms in addition to the pains and is sometimes called fibromyalgia syndrome. It is a chronic persistant condition. “ The cause of fibromyalgia is not known....research has shown that people with fybromyalgaia have certain subtle changes in some chemicals in the brain and nervous system.....there seems to be a minor change in the level of neurotransmitters, the chemicals responsible for transmitting messages between nerves and brain cells. Research studies have shown that there is also an increased amount of a chemical substance called substance P in the cerebrospinal fluid and that this may be involved in the way pain messages are transmitted.” ( www.patient.co.uk/health/fybromyalgia) As the cause of fibromyalgia is thought to be from the processes in the brain and spinal cord there is little evidence that the disease is due to a problem with the peripheral muscles, tendons and ligaments although the pain is often felt there. Fybromyalgia affects one in fifty people, it usually develops between the ages of twenty five to fifty five and is more common in women. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia are pain, particularly in the neck and back, sensitivity to touch, joint sorenesss, tiredness, and problems sleeping. “ People diagnosed with fibromyalgia often experience chronic pain that...
Words: 1891 - Pages: 8
...Introduction It is approximated that 3 to 17 million Americans [have] fibromyalgia.(New Harvard Guide to Women's Health, 2004). Fibromyalgia is a debilitating disease that attacks people of every age, race, and gender. It is a disease that may develop out of nowhere, or be brought on by a stressful event. With it comes pain, both physically and psychologically. There is hope though as there are several ways to try and alleviate the pain, or reduce the symptoms. Medications are available, and of course there is always hope for a cure. This disease does not only affect those afflicted, but their families and loved ones too. Cause Fibromyalgia can manifest in a person for many different reasons. One of the major causes of the disease is stress. It can be from simple everyday stresses, like working a tough job, or worrying about how to make ends meet. Other stresses are more physical, such as car crashes or childbirth, both of which put immense strain on the physical body. Another cause is Post- Traumatic Stress disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress can be the result of horrible events, such as war or abusive childhoods. In other cases the disease can simply manifest one day out of the blue (Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Syndrome, 1996). It is a disease that can hit any gender, but about 80% of known cases are women in their fifties (New Harvard Guide to Women's Health, 2004). Symptoms Many cases of Fibromyalgia are undocumented, mainly because some people don’t even know they have...
Words: 2700 - Pages: 11
...Preface The Importance of Reading about Fibromyalgia and Neurological Disorders A neurological disease is a condition that impacts the brain, spine, and nervous system. There are more than six hundred diseases that fall into this group, including fibromyalgia (FM). It is important to be aware of how these diseases can impact daily life. Diseases such as FM cause significant changes in health. Education is one of the most powerful tools available. The importance of reading about health and neurological diseases may not be something most people would think to do when focused on things such as blood pressure, weight, or any of a variety of other conditions. However, it is important to realize that these factors only give a basic picture of how...
Words: 796 - Pages: 4
...Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome of widespread pain associated with sleep disturbance, fatigue, depression, headache, abdominal pain, and poor concentration (Clauw). The American College of Rheumatology updated the diagnostic criteria for FM in 2010 to include these accompanying symptoms in addition to widespread pain (Wolfe). FM is associated with significant personal and socioeconomic costs, including limitations in work ability and high health care utilization (Palstam, Wolfe, Berger, White). The prevalence of FM among the general population in the United States is estimated to be between 1.1% and 6.4% (Vincent). FM is more common in both civilian and veteran women than men (Marques, Higgins). The prevalence of FM among veterans of Operation...
Words: 1125 - Pages: 5
...work together as a team to identify and solve problems. Therapists help clients to overcome their difficulties by changing their thinking, behavior, and emotional responses. A System of Psychotherapy Cognitive therapy is a comprehensive system of psychotherapy, and treatment is based on an elaborated and empirically supported theory of psychopathology and personality. It has been found to be effective in more than 400 outcome studies for a myriad of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and substance abuse, among others, and it is currently being tested for personality disorders. It has also been demonstrated to be effective as an adjunctive treatment to medication for serious mental disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Cognitive therapy has been extended to and studied for adolescents and children, couples, and families. Its efficacy has also been established in the treatment of certain medical disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension, fibromyalgia, post-myocardial infarction depression, noncardiac chest pain, cancer, diabetes, migraine, and other chronic pain disorders. In the mid-1960s, Dr. Aaron T. Beck developed cognitive therapy as a time-sensitive, structured therapy that uses an information-processing model to understand and treat psychopathological conditions. The theory is based, in part, on a phenomenological approach to psychology, as proposed by Epictetus and...
Words: 1334 - Pages: 6
...the patient says, “It is.” Understanding the Pathophysiology of pain and the cause of acute pain that lead to chronic pain is an essential aspect of managing pain. The nociceptive pain pathway is series of neurons that detect noxious stimuli that end up with pain; however, the pathway starts at the peripheral to the spinal cord and the brain (Stahl 2013). Knowing the pain pathway will help the PMHNP to understand the use of certain psychological drugs for the manage pain like Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) for depression (Mehalick et al. 2016). According to the case study, the patient suffered from right hip pain that has been going...
Words: 1550 - Pages: 7
...of the high risks it poses. US Congress placed marijuana in schedule I of the Controlled Substance Act in 1972 because it was considered to have no use for medical purposes. Since then, 16 of the 50 states have legalized marijuana for medical use. Many studies state that marijuana can treat symptoms of cancer, pain, and many more serious illnesses. Opponents of medical marijuana argue that it lacks FDA approval. Researchers believe medical marijuana treats different serious illnesses. In 2002, Franjo Grotenhermen stated that “medical cannabis has treated effectively symptoms of nausea, vomiting, insomnia, anorexia, weight loss, and a lack of appetite.” “Medical marijuana has been known to stimulate eating habits to help cure anorexia, the lack of appetite and weight loss to help those people gain their weight back that could do them serious harm from the rapid weight loss (Grotenhermen, 2002).” Medical marijuana has also been known to treat more serious illnesses such as Sickle-Cell Disease, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's disease, and Tourette syndrome. Many of the case reports have shown that cannabis has helped to reduce tics caused by Tourette syndrome. A Research Institute in California called Scripps, did a study showing that THC an active ingredient in marijuana, prevents deposits from forming in the brain this is typically associated with Alzheimer's disease. Medical marijuana has been known to stimulate eating habits to help cure anorexia. Many people...
Words: 1414 - Pages: 6
...it is there but it is and people just don’t know it. Children with dysautonomia need more help than what they get now. The invisible illnesses that go unnoticed in children and don’t get publicity are multiplying. Publicity comes with illnesses that are common and known such as cancer. The funding and awareness for illnesses that you can’t see such as dysautonomia, Shy-Drager syndrome, and more are lacking. The treatments for children are behind from where they could be. There are many children are diagnosed with these invisible illnesses such as dysautonomia and other nervous system disorders that you can’t see. Dysautonomia is a serious disease of the autonomic nervous system. The percentage of being an affected individual dysautonomia is a twenty-five percent chance. Also there is a fifty percent chance of being a carrier. (Shohat) There is information on dysautonomia that shows in some people for than others. The information that has been gathered on these disorders in children should be known to the world. Data reported suggested a form of dysautonomia in patients with CFS, chronic fatigue syndrome. (Goldstein) Children that have been affected with this disease have a lot of stress and illness in their life. Dysautonomia affects your whole body because it is in the autonomic nervous system which puts an effect on your body. More than sixty percent of patients with CFS have abnormal blood...
Words: 2252 - Pages: 10
...some instances (Hypnosis Today, n.d.). The American Cancer Society supports that use of hypnosis to help with the effects of chemotherapy and surgery. Hypnosis has also been known to be used in place of medicine for pain and stress (Hypnosis, 2008). There have been many reports on how hypnosis can benefit patients with reducing blood pressure, pain, stress, anxiety and overcoming habit disorders such as smoking or weight problems, all without the use of drugs or side effects (Hypnosis Today, n.d.). Proof that hypnosis can be beneficial is a study that was published in GUT medical journal where a study was done with 204 people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Of the 204 in the study, 80% who initially reported relief from their symptoms were still experiencing relief six years later (Hypnosis Today, n.d.). Hypnosis has also been effectively used to quell hot flashes in postmenopausal women, it has been used in pain management with fibromyalgia, arthritis and cancer patients, and it has been used to calm the nerves and anxieties prior to medical procedures such as surgeries, childbirth and dental procedures (Klein, 2014). Many people think that they cannot be hypnotized and it is often believed that you are weak-willed, naïve or unintelligent if you can be hypnotized, but research shows that the ability to go under is actually correlated with intelligence, focus and the ability to concentrate. Being hypnotized is not therapeutic by itself, but the suggestions and images fed to the...
Words: 1079 - Pages: 5
...have shown a decrease. Similarly, states with medical marijuana legalization have also shown a decrease in prescription pain killer addiction and overdose related deaths. In fact, there have been no known deaths which could be directly contributed to marijuana use. Statistics show that cannabis is a safer and smarter alterative to prescription medications. Maintaining a federal prohibition on marijuana for medical use not only unethical, it is inhumane. Marijuana must be federally decriminalized, not only to improve lives, but to save them as well. The benefits of using medical marijuana are astounding. The active ingredient in marijuana, THC (delta-9-tetracannibidnol) has been proven to slow the growth of tumors in cancer patients. Studies show that tumors found in the lungs, breasts, and brain showed a substantial decrease when treated with marijuana. Traditionally, physicians treat cancerous tumors with chemotherapy, a treatment first discovered in the 1920s, by poisoning people with mustard gas. The side effects of chemotherapy are nothing short of brutal. By treating tumors with medical marijuana, a patient not only avoids the severe nausea, vomiting, pain, cancer patients have...
Words: 1639 - Pages: 7
