Fibromyalgia is a pathology that manifests itselfchronic pain in muscles and joints. This disease is also called fibrositis. It is characterized by anxiety and depression, poor sleep, a feeling of constant fatigue and disruption of the intestine.
The syndrome of fibromyalgia is recorded most oftenamong women 40-55 years old. In men, this pathology is diagnosed much less often - in only 16% of cases. Pain sensations in fibromyalgia have the ability to disappear and reappear, migrating throughout the body, so diagnosis is difficult. In this case, fibromyalgia in adults is a common occurrence, as adolescents and children suffer from this ailment very rarely, although they may experience periodic pains in the muscles or joints.
Previously, it was thought that fibromyalgia waspathological condition of inflammatory etiology, but for today these assumptions are refuted, since neither signs of inflammation nor manifestations of arthritis are observed. The peculiarity of this disease is that patients are registered with a low level of growth hormone. This can be attributed to the fact that fibromyalgia breaks the phase of deep sleep, namely during this period the pituitary gland is able to synthesize this hormonal compound.
It is also worth noting that in patients with fibromyalgiathere are painful sensations, even on the action of stimuli, which usually can not be perceived as painful. In addition, patients have a high level of neurotransmitters (the so-called substance P), as well as growth factors in cerebrospinal fluid (cerebrospinal fluid). If we study the nature of pain, we can assume the presence of a hypersensitivity of the central nervous system, as well as the pathological perception of pain stimuli.
Also in patients diagnosed withFibromyalgia, whose causes are unknown, have a history of severe physical or psychological trauma or a complicated complex infectious disease. They also have a small number of slow movements of the eyeballs during sleep, which leads to feelings of weakness or to frequent nocturnal awakenings.
When fibromyalgia develops, the symptoms of this disease include the following symptoms:
• Rapid fatigue of muscles;
• "goose bumps on the body";
• sleep disturbance;
• general fatigue;
• Frequent headaches;
• Temporomandibular disorders in the form of pain in the face and jaw area, as well as resonance in the ears.
Patients also have an imbalance inmental sphere. So, when there is fibromyalgia, the symptoms of this pathology can include poor memory, attention disturbances and emotional disturbances that are often defined as depression.
Patients also complain of dizziness,soreness in the abdomen, especially when performing palpation. Sometimes there may be prolonged hyperthermia for no apparent reason. In addition, patients with fibromyalgia have a tendency to catarrhal diseases and note the stiffness of the joints in the morning hours (after awakening).
It should be noted that the course of the diseasestationary. Manifestations of fibromyalgia can be observed for many years, slightly changing under the influence of certain external factors. Pain sensations, as a rule, have a permanent character, asymmetric or generalized. If the pain reaches a critical level, then talk about the "fibrositic storm".
When fibromyalgia is diagnosed, the symptoms of this disease in 100% of cases include pain. It has certain features:
• pain in the musculoskeletal system is widespread and can last more than six months;
• quite often chronic pain syndrome in fibromyalgia is combined with the symptoms of other diseases;
• pain is accompanied by autonomic disorders and changes in the psychological sphere.
When fibromyalgia develops, the symptoms alsomay include fluid retention in the body, irritation of the intestine, vestibular disorders, osteoporosis and other disorders. Clinical manifestations in each case are individual and require careful diagnosis.
It should be noted that pain occurs in differentparts of the body and can focus on both sides. Most often, pain sensations are localized in the neck, shoulders and chest, that is, in the upper part of the trunk. Zones that have high sensitivity are characterized by a clear place of localization. So, when there is fibromyalgia, the points of soreness can act as a definite diagnostic criterion.
TP are important modern criteria in the detection of fibromyalgia, although patients do not even guess about their existence. These points are characterized by the following properties:
• In order to have pain, a little pressure is needed;
• when palpation pain is observed, which arises in the patient spontaneously;
• TP is placed in strictly defined places, therefore there are specific maps of these sites.
Despite the presence of TP, in patients with fibromyalgiavarious algic syndromes with different localization develop. Thus, pain can not only be seen in the muscles, but also in the abdominal cavity or heart, which makes diagnosis difficult. In addition, typical panic attacks, hyperventilation syndrome, loss of consciousness, tunneling neuropathies.
To date, there are no specific analyzesor surveys that would help identify this disease. They are prescribed only to exclude other pathologies. Diagnosis is made on the basis of anamnesis and physical examination. It is when identifying specific pain points and in the absence of other diseases that fibromyalgia can be detected.
It is worth remembering that many pathologies have a clinical course resembling fibromyalgia syndrome:
• hypothyroidism;
• Insufficiency of vitamin D;
• hyperfunction of the parathyroid glands, which is accompanied by an increase in the level of calcium;
• polymyositis or other damage to muscle fibers;
• Diseases of bones;
• oncopathology;
• infectious diseases.
As a rule, to exclude other lesionsdetermine the level of hormones thyroid, alkaline phosphatase, creatine phosphokinase, as well as ESR, C-reactive protein, antinuclear factor and sialic acid. With fibromyalgia, these indicators are within the normal range.
Fibromyalgia can be suspected in the following cases:
1. The patient has diffuse and symmetrical pain, which arises spontaneously and has a chronic character (observed for 6 months or longer).
2. The examination reveals 11 pain points from 18 conventional points that are characteristic of fibromyalgia.
3. Absence of symptoms of any primary pathology.
It should be noted that in clinical practiceYou can always find these criteria, but they are guided by specialists when diagnosing. In addition, a combination of depressive disorders and chronic pain in the muscles is also taken into account. Often psychological disorders are considered as a consequence of a constant pain syndrome.
When diagnosing fibromyalgiamany other pathological conditions. As a rule, simultaneously there is depression, nervous bulimia and sleep disturbances, chronic illogical syndrome. Also pay attention to the level of serotonin, which in this disease is reduced.
After 45 years in the female body begininvolutional changes, which consist in lowering the level of sex hormones, as well as in stopping the work of the ovaries. In this period, the function of organs and systems is functionally changing, and the relationship between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and ovaries is disturbed.
It should be noted that there are no clear diagnosticmethods, with the help of which it would be possible to detect the end of the reproductive period. Fibromyalgia in menopause is quite common, as women suffer from insomnia and pain throughout the body. In addition, they are emotionally unbalanced, so the symptomatology of this disease in this period is more pronounced.
When fibromyalgia develops, the symptoms andtreatment depends on the features of the course of this pathology, but the most effective is a therapy that combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques.
As a rule, patients are assigned tricyclicantidepressants that improve sleep, relieve muscle pain and eliminate fatigue. Most often with a therapeutic purpose apply "Amitriptyline" and "Doxepin", as well as "Lyrics" or "Neurontin." In addition, drugs that increase the concentration of serotonin and norepinephrine (Simbalta, Savello), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics can be used.
Among non-pharmacological methods of treatment applymassage, acupuncture and exercise therapy. It is useful for patients to swim (hydrotherapy), walk, ride a bicycle, practice aerobics. Attention is drawn to improving sleep. Patients should also avoid stressful situations that can provoke an exacerbation of the clinic.
Phytotherapy helps to neutralize intoxication,has antibacterial and antiviral action, and also causes a calming effect. Herbs, which are usually used in the treatment of fibromyalgia, oxidize pyruvic and lactic acid - the main toxins of fatigue.
It should be noted that herbal remedies should betake under the strict supervision of a doctor. Only the right dosage can improve appetite, calm and mobilize the functional activity of the body.
To date, there are no clearly established principles of dietary nutrition in this disease, but there are a number of substances that are recommended to limit the diet of patients:
• Aspartame, which is often found in sweeteners. It is established that this compound aggravates the clinical manifestations of fibromyalgia, since it stimulates the reaction of pain receptors.
• Nutritional supplements, which include glutamine sodium and nitrates, because they predetermine the increase in pain syndrome.
• Simple carbohydrates - patients are advised to limit the consumption of sugar and bread.
• Caffeine. At a fibromyalgia it is not necessary to use coffee, tea, a lot of chocolate. When they are limited, the condition of patients is improved in just a week.
• Various pastries that contain yeast and gluten.
• Scientists believe that dairy products of any fat content can adversely affect the dynamics of fibromyalgia.
• Nightshade - pepper, potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant. These products can exacerbate both arthritis and fibrositis.
If fibromyalgia develops, symptoms and treatmentof this pathology depend on the prescription of the pathological process and the presence of other concomitant diseases. With timely diagnosis and therapy, the prognosis is favorable.
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