Fibromyalgia

Published on: January 10, 2020

DOMESTIC ABUSE MAY PLACE PERSONS AT HIGHER RISK OF FIBROMYALAGIA

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Fibromyalgia is a condition that could qualify patients for disability benefits. While women, in general, have a greater risk of developing symptoms of fibromyalgia than men, some women have an amplified risk of developing the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

According to the results of a new study, women with a history of suffering domestic violence are at a higher risk for both fibromyalgia as well as chronic fatigue supreme. The researchers used the risks of developing functional syndromes like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome for women with a history of domestic abuse and compared these results with the rates of those not exposed to domestic partner violence. They found that the risk of developing fibromyalgia was 1.63 for every 1000 person-years for women who were exposed to domestic abuse, compared to 0.83 for women who did not suffer domestic abuse. In the case of chronic fatigue syndrome, similar results were seen. The risk was 0.32 for every 1000 person-years for women exposed to violence in the home, compared to a rate of 0.18 in the category of women who did not have a history of suffering domestic abuse.

The researchers blame the mental strain brought on by domestic abuse for the difference in the risks of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Stress is a major risk factor for fibromyalgia. A family history of the condition, obesity, frequent illness, and infections are all other possible risk factors that exacerbate a woman’s risk of fibromyalgia.

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Published on: May 5, 2018

Stress is a Strong Trigger for Fibromyalgia

By Lisa Siegel

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Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by chronic body pain. It is often a misunderstood condition that can have a serous impact on a person’s life. There are some triggers that seem to contribute to a stronger risk of fibromyalgia. For instance, stress and anxiety are strongly linked with the condition.

The person may also be constantly fatigued, and parts of the body may be very tender to touch. Any kind of stress associated with a physical or emotional cause can trigger fibromyalgia. Injuries suffered in an accident, for instance, or the kind of anxiety brought about by a life change like a divorce or death of a close one, are also associated with the condition. Workplace or occupational injuries can also trigger the condition.

Apart from these, there are very few risk factors that are associated with fibromyalgia, although women seem to be much more susceptible to fibromyalgia than men. Diagnosis of the condition is often delayed because of the failure by medical research to identify any strong and clear-cut cause of fibromyalgia.

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Published on: January 28, 2017

Vitamin D Deficiency Could Increase Balance Problems in Fibromyalgia Patients

By Lisa Siegel

Persons who suffer from fibromyalgia and also have low levels of vitamin D in their bodies could suffer from balance and posture problems.

Those are the findings of a new study published in the journal, Modern Hematology. Patients with fibromyalgia often suffer from an increased risk of falls. Researchers found in their study that vitamin deficiency is linked to a higher risk of such balance issues in patients.

This is not the first study to show these findings. Researchers have long believed that lack of vitamin D leads to muscle weakness and deficient mineralization in the bones, which contributes to a high risk of fall accidents. Researchers say that vitamin D deficiency could negatively affect a person’s balance and also the intensity of pain levels that suffer from fibromyalgia.

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Published on: July 1, 2014

Body Vibration Therapy May Benefit Fibromyalgia Patients

By Lisa Siegel

Patients with fibromyalgia may benefit from a new therapy that involves whole-body vibration exercise.

Whole-body vibration exercise is not new, and has been used for the treatment of symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome. However, research on the effectiveness of this therapy in treating this painful condition has been sporadic. Now, however, scientists from Indiana University have announced the results of a pilot study which they say indicates that the therapy is very promising in treating symptoms of fibromyalgia.

As part of the study, patients who suffered from fibromyalgia were asked to sit, stand, and lay on a machine that came with a vibrating platform. When the machine was turned on, the vibrations caused the patient’s muscles to contract and relax. Subjects reported a significant alleviation of muscular pain.

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Published on: September 5, 2012

SOCIAL SECURITY RULING ON FIBROMYALGIA ISSUED

By Lisa Siegel

Fibromyalgia sufferers have faced a tough road in filing disability claims until recently. However, recently Social Security (“SSA”) clarified its ruling on fibromyalgia, paving the way to more favorable rulings. Social Security Ruling 12-2p issued on July 25, 2012 should alleviate some of the obstacles these claimants have encountered.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome in which a person has chronic pain that affects the joints, muscles, tendons and soft tissues. The cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. It has a wide variety of symptoms that present with varying degrees of limitation. Thus, diagnosis is often difficult.

SSA’s new ruling clarifies the evaluation of fibromyalgia cases for administrative law judges and disability examiners. When established by appropriate medical evidence, fibromyalgia may be a medically determinable impairment that is the basis for a finding of disability. Once fibromyalgia is established as a medically determinable impairment, it will be considered in the sequential evaluation process to determine whether the person is disabled. As in all cases the claimant is required to provide “sufficient objective evidence to support a finding that the person’s impairment so limits the person’s functional abilities that it precludes him or her from performing substantial gainful activity. “

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