Is Fibromyalgia a Disease, a Collection of Symptoms,
or is it All in Your Head?
by Terry McDermott
For weeks you have been aching from head to foot. You have no energy, you can’t concentrate and you can’t remember the last time you got a good night’s sleep. You have been to the doctor
a few times already and all he can tell you is what you DON’T have. You have read about fibromyalgia and even talked to others that have been diagnosed with the disease. Yet, so far, no
one can tell you whether you have it or not?
Sound familiar?
Well welcome to the world of fibromyalgia diagnostics. It is bad enough that there is no cure or significantly effective treatment for this condition, but it is even more frustrating when it
takes so long for anyone to tell you that the problems you are having are caused by fibromyalgia.
There is no debate as to the validity of fibromyalgia as a disease. In fact, the World health Organization has recognized the disease for many years. It is the diagnosis that is debatable.
Fibromyalgia is a very confusing and misunderstood condition. It has been known by many different names for well over a century but was not termed “fibromyalgia” until the 1970’s. The term is
derived from the actual experience of the condition. “Fibro” – which represents the fibrous tissues affected (i.e. ligaments and tendons).
Author
J. Terrence (Terry) McDermott is the developer and administrator of a variety of websites that offer information, resources and products related to health care. Alpha Medical Supplies is
at http://www.alphamedicalsupplies.com and is a site featuring medical supplies and equipment plus resources for home caregivers.
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