This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be linked with changes in muscles, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and reduced strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in vulnerable people, but no such illness has been identified. .
B) DIAGNOSIS.
The Diagnosis of FMS is difficult as every patient is different and many of the symptoms of fibromyalgia can be found in other conditions as well. In 1990, The American College of Rheumatology and 20 specialist centers across the U.S. & Canada participated in a research study which established criteria for the diagnosis of FMS.
The criteria for the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia are: .
i) widespread pain for at least three months and,.
ii)tenderness at 11 or more of 18 specific "tender point" sites.
Figure 1.1.
Tender points of .
Fibromyalgia.
This chart illustrates all 18 .
possible "tender points" of a.
fibromyalgia patient;.
Occiput (2) - at the suboccipital muscle insertions. .
Low cervical (2) - at the anterior aspects of the intertransverse spaces at C5-C7. .
Trapezius (2) - at the midpoint of the upper border. .
Supraspinatus (2) - at origins, above the scapula spine near the medial border. .
Second rib (2) - upper lateral to the second costochondral junction. .
Lateral epicondyle (2) - 2 cm distal to the epicondyles. .
Gluteal (2) - in upper outer quadrants of buttocks in anterior fold of muscle. .
Greater trochanter (2) - posterior to the trochanteric prominence. .
Knee (2) - at the medial fat pad proximal to the joint line.
Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, although the precise genetic mechanism is not yet known. If an individual has FMS, the chance that a sibling(s) inherited the predisposition is 50%. Half-siblings will either be 50% or 0% depending on whether or not they share the parent who passed on the trait.