< previous page | page_13 | next page >
Page 13
| Fibromyalgia |
| Fibromyalgia is either a type of chronic fatigue syndrome or closely related. The diseases share many symptoms, with a thin line distinguishing the two. As the name "myalgia" indicates, fibromyalgia's predominant symptom is pain, mostly in connective tissues, muscles and joints. For some reason, 11 to 18 tender points located at certain places on the body are particularly painful. Like CFS, fibromyalgia can also result in sleeplessness and mental confusion and, in slightly over half the time, it comes on suddenly with flu or viral symptoms. One theory is that traumatic incidents help trigger it, including physical and sexual abuse, since a history of these appear more often in people who have it. |
| As in CFS, serotonin levels are low in fibromyalgia, blood flow to the brain is decreased and dysfunction of the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal gland axis may be involved. Disruption of this axis may be what produces the abundance of low-thyroid conditions in fibromyalgia; some experts estimate this occurs in about half the cases. Antidepressants, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed. Not only are there similarities in the two diseases, the treatments suggested in this book for CFS will also help anyone with fibromyalgia. |
< previous page | page_13 | next page >

If you like this book, buy it!