Leukemia (Blood Cancer)

Today's topic is fibromyalgia, fibromyalgia is a medical condition characterized by widespread pain in the muscles and bones accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Most people who suffer from fibromyalgia are women however men and children also can be affected by the disorder.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic long-term disorder and is due to the abnormalities in how the central nervous system processes pain signals people with fibromyalgia have a heightened sense of pain, sometimes described as muscle ache the condition isn't a progressive disorder meaning it won't steadily worsen over time many people who suffer from fibromyalgia also have irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, tension, headache, and depression, the pain, and sleeplessness associated with the disorder can interfere with the ability of the sufferer to function at home. 

The disorder affects about 3 to 6% of the world's population causes the exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown researchers are close to understanding factors that may work together to cause it. Researchers believe that the condition is related to an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain this changes the way in which the central nervous system processes pain messages transmitted around the body in many cases the condition is triggered by a variety of factors working together, these may include an infection genetics physical or emotional trauma such as a repetitive injury to the body caused by performing the same action over and over again, the death of a loved one, breakdown of a relationship, car accident, a person suffering from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia symptoms and increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue widespread pain occurring on both sides of the body and above and below the waist difficulty, sleeping, headaches, muscle stiffness problems with memory and concentration, commonly referred to as fibro fog irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg syndrome tingling and numbness in the feet and hands sensitivity to cold or heat sensitivity to noise or lights.

Diagnosis and treatment there is no single test that can fully diagnose fibromyalgia a diagnosis can be made if a person has experienced widespread pain for three months or longer with no identifiable underlying medical condition related to the pain other conditions with similar symptoms may be ruled out by blood tests. Blood tests may include complete blood count (CBC) rheumatoid function (RA Factor) thyroid function tests (TFT), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Treatment, although there is presently no cure for the disorder treatment options, are available to help relieve symptoms and make the condition easier to live with medications that can help relieve pain and improve sleep such as antidepressants like duloxetine or Cymbalta.

Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen tylenol ibuprofen as an advil anti-seizure drugs such as per gallon or lyrica variety of therapies can reduce symptoms associated with the disorder such as physical therapy that may include exercises to improve strength flexibility and stamina these therapies have been linked to a reduction in pain tenderness and sleep disturbances in patients mind-body therapy that focuses on interactions among the brain mind body and behavior these may include yoga tai chi mindfulness or cognitive behavioral therapy.