Fibromyalgia Week: Day 2

Tender points...click caption for WebMD animation

Tender points are a unique feature of fibromaylgia. There are 18 such points on the human body (9 pairs as shown). Using special technique by hand or a dolorimeter, a fibromyalgia patient will experience pain in at least 11 points, and there will be at least one painful tender point in each quadrant of the body!

One study found that up to 96% of fibromyalgia patients suffer from sleep disorders. It is believed that this is responsible for a deprivation of delta sleep, during which human growth hormone is produced. This hormone is essential to tissue repair. Other common problems in fibromyalgia are fatigue, concentration/memory ("fibro fog"), and depression.
There is no doubt in my mind that just enabling the patient to sleep well on a regular basis would be of great benefit!

It is not uncommon for fibromyalgia patients to have coexisting conditions--some of these are lupus, disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lyme disease, restless leg syndrome, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Tomorrow--what causes fibromyalgia?

repost from 2014

Source: Fibromyalgia 2nd Edition
               Nikita Katz MD PhD
               Institute for Natural Resources August 2009

   WebMD

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Everyday pain management ideas

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