Fibromyalgia or fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic disorder characterized by generalized muscle pain, fatigue, and most particularly, by multiple tender points located at specific places on the body. Fibromyalgia is recognized as an arthritis-related disorder, and like arthritis, can significantly interfere with quality of life, even to impairing the ability to perform activities of daily living. Other names for fibromyalgia have included fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism, and tension myalgia. One of the many things fibromyalgia shares with a very similar disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, has been the belief by some care providers that the disease is somehow “not real,” rather, just made up in the imagination of those who suffer with it. It is estimated that this disorder affects approximately 3 – 8 million people in the U.S., and that 80 – 90% are women. Fibromyalgia typically develops between the ages of 20 and 60 years, but it can affect children, and if one family member has fibromyalgia, relatives seem to have an increased risk. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of this complex disease, presenting information about etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options. [1, 2, 3, 4]
This course is available for
FREE if you have an active
one year unlimited membership!
| Author: | Karen Edmondson RN, MN |
| Course No: | F072108 |
| Contact Hours: | 2.00 |
| Date Offered: | 5/18/2013 4:51 AM - 4:51 AM |
| Categories: | Community & Home Health
Leadership & Case Management
Medical & Surgical Issues
Pain Management
Psychiatric & Mental Health
Women's Health
|
NOTE: The course expired on 2/1/2013.
|
|
|