 | Joseph P. Galichia, MD is the founder and Medical Director of the Galichia Medical Group, PA. He is an internationally recognized pioneer in the field of interventional cardiology. In the 70's, Dr. Galichia studied in Zurich, Switzerland with the inventors of the balloon angioplasty technique for treating heart disease. As a result of his experience, he was able to bring this historic technique back to the United States where he was one of the first physicians to perform coronary angioplasty here. A noted medical spokesman, he appears on a weekly Newstalk segment on KWCH Channel 12 and has a weekly syndicated radio talk show on KNSS 1330 AM every Saturday live from 11:00 am to noon. Dr. Galichia may be contacted by sending an e-mail to service@galichia.com |
Health & Medicine
2004-06-01 09:59:00
What is fibromyalgia?
Question: What is fibromyalgia? What caused it and can it be cured?
ANSWER: This disorder (Fibromyalgia) is characterized by general pains, aching and tenderness often involving entire body. There is no known cause for this disorder and no known cure. Many of these patients have progressive weakness and fatigue resulting in a severe deterioration in the quality of their lives. They often present with complaints resembling arthritis or different autoimmune disorders such as lupus erythematosis. Nevertheless, this illness remains a diagnosis of exclusion, and the testing for more serious disorders is entirely normal. Fibromyalgia can occur at any time in life but it is more common after the age of 30. Patients are often bewildered by muscle pains that have occurred without known injury or trauma. The physical exam is entirely normal, except for some muscle tenderness. The joints are not inflamed and not usually the source of greatest pain. Over activity may make these symptoms worse. Laboratory data and x-rays are characteristically all normal. Some patients experience symptoms transiently and without any treatment may simply return to a normal state of being over a period of months or years. For the majority of patients, however, these symptoms persist for a long period of time and despite treatments with painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs and rest, relief is hard to obtain. Some antidepressant drugs may be a benefit along with controlled exercise programs and psychotherapy may provide an additional benefit. Patients do not die from fibromyalgia but unfortunately many have prolonged disability and frustration regarding their condition.
