FIBROMYALGIA

Although many diseases today seem to defy our best medical tests and treatments, one that is particularly frustrating is fibromyalgia, a chronic, painful, rheumatoid-like disorder that affects as many as 5 to 6 percent of the general population. Persons with fibromyalgia experience an array of symptoms eluding headaches, dizziness, numbness and tingling, itching, fluid retention, chronic joint pain, abdominal or pelvic pain, and even occasional diarrhea. Suspected causes have ranged from sleep disturbances, stress, emotional distress, viruses, and autoimmune disorders; however, none has been proved in clinical trials. Because of fibromyalgias multiple symptoms, it is usually diagnosed only after myriad tests have ruled out other disorders. The American College of Rheumatology identifies the major diagnostic criteria as the following:

• History of widespread pain of at least 3 months' duration in the axial skeleton as well as in all four quadrants of the body
• Pain in at least 11 of 18 paired tender points on digital palpation of about 4 kilograms of pressure

What is known is that the disease primarily affects women in their 30s and 40s, and that it can be extremely debilitating due to the unrelieved pain, feelings of bloating or swelling, and fatigue that victims may suffer. Many people with fibromyalgia also become depressed and report chronic fatigue-like symptoms.

Treatment for fibromyalgia varies based on the severity of symptoms. Typically, adequate rest, stress management, relaxation techniques, dietary supplements and selected herbal remedies, and pain medications are prescribed. Avoidance îf extreme temperatures, which may exacerbate symptoms, is also recommended.