Fibromyalgia Causes Symptoms Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia Causes Symptoms Diagnosis

There is no clear objective method for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The criteria used for the investigation of fibromyalgia are very helpful, especially if the patient has no accompanying disorders such as depression or arthritis, which could complicate the diagnosis. Meet the criteria but do not rule out fibromyalgia. It should be suspected if no identifiable cause has been found in any patient with muscle and joint pain.

Medical and personal history

A doctor should always be a careful personal and family medical history that would include a psychological profile and a history of factors that could be on the other diseases fibromyalgia. These factors could also modify the most recent weight, physical injuries, infectious diseases, muscle weakness, skin rashes, and all cases of sexual, physical or substance or alcohol abuse. The patient should be reported to the influence of drugs, including vitamins and over-the-counter or herbal medications.

Physical examination

The pressure on sensitive areas. Any physical examination for fibromyalgia requires that the physician press firmly on all potential pressure points. You have to be painful when pressed, not just tender. In addition, for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, these tender sites usually not accompanied by signs of inflammation such as redness, swelling or heat in the joints and soft tissues. The pressure points may also change in location and sensitivity over time. A doctor who can then re-check pressure points that do not respond the first time in patients who have other significant symptoms.

Detection of other causes of symptoms. A physical examination includes inspection of the nails, skin, mucous membranes, joints, spine, muscles and bones, to exclude, help arthritis, thyroid disease and other diseases.

Other tests

There is no blood, urine or other lab tests, a diagnosis of fibromyalgia can make available. If such tests show abnormal results, then the physician should look for other diseases. Tests for specific diseases depend on family stories and other symptoms. These may include thyroid and liver function tests, blood count, tests of specific antibodies and rate of descent. Follow-up psychological profile testing may be suggested if laboratory results determined not to be a specific disease.