Fibtomyalgia IBROMYALGIA is widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Ligaments and tendons connect muscles to bones. Also causes people to have trouble sleeping and feel very tired all the time.

Although fibromyalgia is a relatively recent term, this syndrome has been known by several other names, including soft tissue rheumatism, fibrositis and non-articular rheumatism.

What are the warning signs of fibromyalgia?

• Stiffness, especially in the morning, and pain in muscles and joints all over the body.
• Trouble sleeping at night and a feeling
• of being very tired all the time.
• Numbness in muscles and joints.
• Poor memory and concentration.
• Other warning signs may include depression, tension and migraine, headaches,
• and pain in the jaw.
• Firm, tender zones are found within the muscles, particularly those of the neck and shoulders.

In addition, your eyes may be dry. You may feel unable to stand the cold and might develop sensitivities to certain foods, medications and/or allergens. Some people with fibromyalgia also experience depression, tension and migraine headaches, irritable bowel and bladder (characterized by pain in the abdomen and frequent need to go to the bathroom, or difficulty in doing so), chronic fatigue syndrome and temperomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction (characterized by pain in the jaw).

The heightened experience of pain of people with fibromyalgia often causes them to become less active in order to avoid pain. Decreased activity then causes the muscles to weaken, making future activity more difficult. If you are in pain and not sleeping well, it makes sense that you are going to be very tired or fatigued during the day. Being in pain and having no energy makes it difficult to manage normal activities such as maintaining a job and housekeeping, as well as recreational and other leisure pursuits. This can lead to stress and anxiety. Depression is also common in people with fibromyalgia. These stresses are made worse by the fact that people with fibromyalgia look “fine” to others. Thus, it is often hard for them to get understanding and support from family, friends and employers.

What causes Fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known. A number of factors might be involved with causing fibromyalgia. These include accidents and injuries, surgery, other illnesses or infections, emotional trauma and stress.

What can you do about Fibromyalgia?

If your doctor thinks you have fibromyalgia, he or she may refer you to a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a doctor who has received special training in the diagnosis and treatment of problems with muscles, joints and bones.

Your doctor may perform a physical examination. He or she will ask if you have had pain throughout your body for more than three months. Your doctor will also check if certain spots on your body are tender when pressed on.

There is no cure for fibromyalgia but there are things you can do to manage the disease.

Learn as much as you can about this disease.  Speaking with people who are specialists in arthritis care can provide you with the information you need.

If your doctor thinks you have fibromyalgia, he or she will probably perform a physical examination.  To be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, you must have experienced widespread pain for a period of three months or longer. The pain must be above and below the waist, and on both the left and right sides of the body.

Another characteristic feature of fibromyalgia is the existence of at least 11 (of a possible 18) distinct sites of deep muscle tenderness that hurt when touched firmly; these include the side of the neck, the top of the shoulder blade, the outside of the upper buttock and hip joint, and the inside of the knee.

Your doctor will test this by either pressing on these spots with his or her thumb.

Exercise Exercise may help reduce pain and will keep muscles from becoming weak.

If you have fibromyalgia you should start exercising slowly.  The best time to exercise is when you feel you have energy.

The key is to strike a balance between too much activity (which can strain and tire muscles), and too little activity (which can increase pain and stiffness and lead to further weakness).

Endurance exercises can strengthen your body and give you energy. These exercises include walking, water exercises and cycling.  Stretching exercises can help you warm up your muscles before doing other exercise.

(Dr. Gary S. Sy, M.D. is the medical director of Life Extension Medical Center located at The Garden Plaza Hotel (formerly Swiss Inn Hotel) 1370 Gen. Luna St., Paco, Manila.

He is a Diplomate in gerontology and geriatrics, advocate diet-nutritional therapy, and conducts free seminar every Friday about Age-Related Health Problems.

E-mail Address: lifeextension_dr-garysy@yahoo.com

Please tune-in at DZRH 666 kHz "Lunas" M-W-F 7:30-8:30 p.m., simulcast over RHTV, DZMM 630 kHz "Gabay sa Kalusugan" Sunday 10-11 a.m., simulcast over SkyCable.)