What helps fibromyalgia?

Severe pain, sleep disorders, physical and mental exhaustion: The symptoms of the fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are varied. And to detect the disease is anything but easy. There is no specific blood test and no x-ray studies for the diagnosis of FMS, explains Winfried houses of the clinic for Internal medicine at the Klinikum Saarbrücken.

To fibromyalgia to determine need to see a physician, the medical history of the patient thoroughly, and a complete physical examination and several laboratory tests. The only way you can make sure not to overlook other physical illness as the cause or contributing to the pain and fatigue.

Pain and fear

Literally translated fibromyalgia “fiber muscle pain” means. According to the official guideline for the treatment of FMS, the disease occurs in the Western industrial Nations at around two per cent of the population, mostly in women between 40 and 60 years, stated in the guideline. It can also apply to other age groups as well as men and children.

The patients often suffer from long-lasting pain, and sleep disorders, and fatigue. Add to this the psychological problems: “So about 60 to 80 percent of meet you the criteria for a depressive or anxiety disorder,” says homes. “But not every FMS Patient has a mental disorder, and not every Patient with a depressive or anxiety disorder has chronic pain in several body regions.”

The causes for the disease can be diverse. Experts believe that a genetic predisposition as well as various biological and psychological factors in fibromyalgia syndrome are responsible. These factors include, among others, infections, depression, traumatic events, and life style factors – lack of exercise and Obesity, for example.

What is striking is The majority of fibromyalgia is that many Sufferers have similar personality characteristics: “patients are very sensitive, capable and ambitious,” says Thomas Weiss, Mannheim, specialist in General medicine, psychiatry and psychotherapy and psychosomatic medicine. “Often an Overload comes in the course of life, the people are pushed to their limits – and then happens something that is difficult for you to understand.”

Suddenly, the person Concerned can not sleep well, they are more sensitive to stimuli and autonomic complaints, and nervousness. “We assume that the body of the patient to the threshold, which is in stressful situations, evolution of a sense due to the behaviour,” says White. To not sleep at night used to be, for example, is necessary as a protection against dangers. “At the core of an activation of innate, epigenetically inherited programs that were actually for Survival in a pristine environment necessary to happen so.”

Meditation and muscle relaxation

The patients can help this Declaration, perhaps, to understand the disease. The symptoms it does not eliminate, however. “We give to the treatment is often very low-dose antidepressants,” says White. “This is not to say that it is fibromyalgia a disguised Depression, but the means have a mild analgesic effect.” Relaxing techniques can also help – for example, Meditation and progressive muscle relaxation. And as hard as it patient falls with severe pain and constant exhaustion often: exercise can help to relieve the symptoms.

This experience has also made Ulrike Eidmann from Wuppertal. In 1990, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. “I was for a long time due to back and muscle pain, on sick leave, but no doctor had an explanation,” she says. “It was only a three-week hospital stay brought me a diagnosis.”

First of all, the Doctors painkillers prescribed, it helped but barely. For the past four years, the patient waives this medication. “In a rehab, I started for the first time since the diagnosis, to move me a lot,” says Eidmann. “I started Nordic walking and Biking, also, I swam a lot.”

In Spite Of The Pain Of Cycling?

The symptoms got better and eventually disappeared to a large extent. Phase is now completely pain-free. Today she says: Each Patient had to find out for himself what helps him. “For me it was very important to listen to me and to recognize that what is good for me.” In addition, you should experience for yourself, that movement is worth it. “I must pull myself together again and again, but I do know that I feel the connection better,” says Ulrike Eidmann. “If you have learned that, then it is easier to put up, despite the pain on the wheel.”

It is important not to view Internist houses but not to overdo it during the movement. “Training with moderate and high stress leads many patients to pain increase,” he says. Exceptions only in the case of persons who were already before the beginning of the disease very well in the endurance training. Some patients it could help, in addition, the change in diet – even if the effect is again very individual.

“There is no FMS on a diet,” says homes. “As for Healthy, a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, fruit materials, ballast, and less meat recommended.” Individual patients benefit from a vegetarian diet, or gluten-free food. If this relieves the symptoms, you must find out for yourself. “If after four weeks the patients a significant improvement has occurred, should be finished the diet try.”