Fibromyalgia And Alcohol

Medterms.com gives the following definition for fibromyalgia:

Fibromyalgia: a syndrome characterized by rigidity, and tenderness in muscles, tendons and joints without detectable inflammation. Fibromyalgia does not cause injury or infirmity. However, undue fatigue plagues the large majority of patients with fibromyalgia and are common in fibromyalgia.

It is estimated that more than 3% of the population of the United States suffers from fibromyalgia. This disease affects mainly women (over 80 per cent), aged 35 and 55.

This condition has been studied since the early 1800s and was called by a variety of ancient names, such as muscular rheumatism and fibrositis. In 1976, "Fibromyalgia" was created to help describe the state. The term is derived from the Latin word fibra, meaning fiber, myo, meaning muscle, and the Greek word algos, meaning pain.

Characteristically, a person with fibromyalgia will hurt everywhere, constantly tired, depressed, anxious, have a stiffness and tenderness of muscles, tendons and joints without detectable inflammation and may have irritable bowel syndrome. These are just some of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is considered a condition caused by arthritis, but it is not arthritis, as arthritis is a disease of the joints and although fibromyalgia can be as debilitating as arthritis, they are not same.

Fortunately, fibromyalgia, but extremely painful, does not cause joint deformity and damage to internal organs or muscles, such as other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus and polymyositis. Unfortunately, there is no known cause or cure.

Current research suggests that fibromyalgia may begin to illness or trauma, like a traffic accident. Progression of fibromyalgia may have a slow start, with many patients have mild symptoms in childhood, like growing pains. Changes in the weather or an illness unrelated were known to aggravate symptoms.

Fibromyalgia patients have reported that the following factors may temporarily increase their suffering:

The cold, especially when the humidity
Hunger, starvation or malnutrition physical activity of any kind, including minor tasks such as writing
Lack of sleep
Increased stress
Alcohol

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is difficult because it is closely related to other conditions such as endocrine disorders, arthritis and reheumatia plymyalgia. The American College of Rheumatology has established two criteria for diagnosis:

1. A history of widespread pain lasting more than three months - widespread in all four quadrants of the body, ie, on both sides and above and below the belt.

2. Tender points - there are 18 tender points identified as possible, even if a person with the syndrome may feel pain in other areas too.

There are no blood tests or X-rays to help doctors in diagnosis and, therefore, said the diagnosis is made solely on clinical criteria based on patient history and physical examination. widespread pain on both sides of the body above and below the waist and with tenderness in at least 11 of 18 tender points when pressed are two symptoms that confirm the state fibromyalgia.

Although there is no specific blood tests to determine the presence of fibromyalgia, there are blood tests that can exclude other medical conditions that mimic fibromyalgia.

Upon confirmation of the diagnosis of fibromyalgia after all other possible conditions have been eliminated, treatment can consist of a variety ways. Not all patients will respond to them, but here are some methods which have contributed to:

Exercise regularly to help with muscle pain and stiffness R.