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Recent News and Articles on the Keywords: fibromyalgia syndrome + fibromyalgia syndrome: + fibromyalgia  Related to the article below (Last Update: 8/5/2008)

Health Calendar August 4 Kansas City Star, MO - Aug 3, 2008 (816-220-7356, 816-847-7606) CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME/FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP: Sponsored by The National Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia ... Health Happenings Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - A seminar on the diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome will be from 6:30 to 8 pm Tuesday at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue ... Finding a way through the pain Daily Press, VA - Jul 26, 2008 Due to the lack of sleep caused by chronic fatigue syndrome/fibromyalgia, the brain fails to produce the human growth hormone used to repair any muscle ... Health Tip: Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Washington Post all 6 news articles » Fibromyalgia: Little understood, often frustrating CNN - Jul 14, 2008 ... headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and heightened sensitivity. "Dana is typical of a lot of fibromyalgia patients," said Dr. Jefrey Lieberman, ... Stress and Your Health - How Stress Affects Your Health The Seoul Times, South Korea - Aug 4, 2008 ... in everything from backaches and insomnia to cancer and chronic fatigue syndrome (many people believe that CFS and fibromyalgia are the same illness). ... Health calendar Asheville Citizen-Times, NC - FIBROMYALGIA: Support group, 2-3 pm the second Monday of the month, Pardee Health Education Center, 1800 Four Season Blvd., Hendersonville. Free. ... Special to the Times The Times of Trenton - NJ.com, NJ - Jul 27, 2008 What is this fibromyalgia syndrome that too often seems to at tract the attention of those who are "compassion-challenged?" "Fibro" refers to fibrous tissue ... Charity victory as NHS changes info on disease Reading Evening Post, UK - Jul 29, 2008 The NHS Direct website is the first port of call for sufferers of Fibromyalgia Syndrome and now FibroAction has ensured the website has the most up-to-date ... The Difficulty In Diagnosing Fibromyalgia WBZ, MA - Jul 22, 2008 Often misdiagnosed and misunderstood, fibromyalgia can cause people pain at even the slightest touch. The debilitating syndrome strikes mostly in ... Lilly's Cymbalta Receives Approval for Fibromyalgia RedOrbit, TX - Jul 21, 2008 About 90 percent of fibromyalgia patients are female. Symptoms include headache, irritable bowel syndrome, and hand and foot numbness. ...LLY

Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a common rheumatoid disorder of the muscles and bones that does not involve the joints. FMS causes pain and fatigue, and people with FMS feel as if their muscles have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch or burn.

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not known. It is not associated with injuries to muscles, nerves or joints nor to any serious body damage or disease. FMS affects more women than men and occurs in people of all ages. In some people, FMS is associated with measurable changes in body chemistry and functioning, but it is not known whether these changes are causes or effects of FMS.

Stress and difficulty sleeping may contribute to FMS because lack of restful sleep can decrease the body's production of the chemicals needed to regulate pain. Other factors (such as illness, infection or anxiety) may also cause changes in body chemistry that lead to these symptoms.

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The signs of FMS include aches and pains in muscles, tendons and joints all over the body, but especially along the spine. Some people feel more pain when they try to relax and less when they are active, busy or exercising. Other symptoms include:

• Disturbed sleep
  
• Depression
• Daytime tiredness
• Headaches
• Alternating diarrhea and constipation
• Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
• Feelings of weakness
• Memory difficulties
• Dizziness

One characteristic of FMS is the presence of multiple tender points. This refers to specific points in the neck, spine, shoulders and hips that feel tender.

A diagnosis of FMS will be based on:

• A medical history and physical exam to rule out conditions (such as rheumatoid arthritis, muscle inflammation, bursitis or tendonitis) that can have similar symptoms
• The presence or absence of widespread pain along with other symptoms of FMS that have lasted for three months or more
• The presence or absence of tender spots that can be felt when light pressure is applied to specific locations on the body

FMS is usually treated with:

• Drugs (such as low doses of anti-depressant drugs) taken before bed to improve sleep. Other kinds of sleeping pills have not proven effective for people with FMS. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen) may help decrease pain.
• Lifestyle changes, such as stress reduction and using relaxation techniques. In particular, anxiety and depression need to be treated to reduce stress.
• Exercise, including brisk walking, biking, swimming and water aerobics
• Aerobic exercise for half an hour three times a week helps increase heart and lung function while stretching tight, sore muscles