What Is Polymyalgia-Rheumatica?

One of the growing areas of medicine over recent years has been the interest in diseases such as fibromyalgia, sometimes known as polymyalgia-rheumatica.

It is characterised by diffuse and variable pain symptoms felt in the muscles and joints of primarily the upper aspects of the arms and legs. It is reported to affect significantly more women than men and has associated and marked fatigue type symptoms. It is seemingly able to manifest for many months if not years, without a definite end point. There are a considerable number of experts who consider fibromyalgia to have a major psychological cause. Such phenomena are termed psychogenic or psychosomatic.

The disease is characterised by a process of exacerbation and remission, where sufferers have periods of increased symptoms followed by periods of reduced suffering. Exacerbations are commonly associated with stressful situations as well as low temperature exposure and physical exertion.

A provisional diagnosis of fibromyalgia is often given if widespread undiagnosed pain is experienced in all four limbs for a continual period of three months or more. Further confirmation is with tender point analysis where patients feel specific and abnormal tenderness on certain points located around the body. These are located at the knees, elbows and neck and shoulders.

Sufferers often report abnormal sleep patterns too.

Fibromyalgia is also associated symptomatically with a number of other illnesses or diseases such as:

metal poisoning

post war syndromes

chronic fatigue syndrome

hypothyroidism

depression

influenza

There is no known cure for fibromayalgia. Analgesia and low dose antidepressant medication is commonly used to treat symptoms. Alternative therapies and physiotherapy and massage have also been cited as helpful. Results and outcomes are not proven though and symptomatic and temporary relief seem to be the commonest outcome of treatments.

However, it is commonly accepted that exercising to a level of fatigue has negative rather than positive results with sufferers. If the symptoms are in remission the exercfise tolerance levels of sufferers can be improved albeit slowly.

The following are believed to be among the possible causes:

Stress

Genetics

Endocrine deficiencies

As you can probably tell there is an awful lot that of variation and debate on the subject. This is even to the point of doubt as to whether fibromyalgia is actually a definable and diagnosable disease or just a convenient label for a reported combination of a number of widespread signs and symptoms.

There is portion of the medical fraternity who believe fibromyalgia to be a label for a group of psychosomatic symptoms rather than a specific and diagnosable illness in its own right.

There is no doubt though that it has manifested into the fabric of health and medical problems associated with the human race. The increase in the numbers of sufferers leads to the thought that there could possibly be a link to the lifestyle we lead today. It is certainly getting attention and whether considered to be a 'proper disease' or not it is a label currently being given to an increasing number of patients.

Article Source: http://www.healthandwellnesscentral.com

Rob is a Chartered Physical Therapist. He has worked extensively in orthopedic and sports medicine fields and in both International and Premiership football and athletics. He is also a lecturer, researcher and author in his expert field. His extensive rehabilitation and treatment of injuries advice is available on his website www.the-rehabilitation-room.com

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Fibromyalgia Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Health Condition | Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia- Know The Signs And Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia - By :
Fibromyalgia-The Possible Causes For Fibromyalgia - By :
Fibromyalgia- Coping With Fibromyalgia Tips For Women - By :
Fibromyalgia- The Signs And Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia - By :
Fibromyalgia Is Not A Single Condition - By :
The Benefits Of Vitamins For Fibromyalgia - By :
Natural Treatments For Fibromyalgia - By :
Myotherapy As A Treatment For Fibromyalgia - By :
Fibromyalgia And Stress - The Connection Between The Brain And Body - By :
Fibromyalgia Is A Condition That Needs Care - By : Shanat Kuphur

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Home
Member Login
Submit Articles
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Article RSS Feeds

New Annoucements
Link to Us
About Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

Check Out:Blessed Herbs

Highly Recommendation:

eBook Recommendation:

i
Eczema Diet Secrets
i

eBook Recommendation:

Natural Cancer Treatments

Recommendation:

Recommendation:

Recommendation: