Current pain and headache reports
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Chronic widespread pain is a primary feature of fibromyalgia and is a symptom that is poorly managed in many patients. In addition, patients often experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Its etiology is largely unknown. ⋯ Clinical evidence on the symptoms and characteristics of fibromyalgia suggests a central mechanism behind the pathogenesis of this syndrome. It is likely that drugs with central actions will prove to be effective against a number of symptoms. This article aims to outline some of the potential spinal pharmacologic targets that may be used to treat this condition.
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Fibromyalgia is a disorder of unknown etiology characterized by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms such as fatigue, poor sleep, gastrointestinal complaints, and psychologic problems that are similar to those experienced by patients with hormone deficiencies. This review summarizes the available data on the neuroendocrine function in fibromyalgia, including data on hormone secretion, circadian phase, and autonomic nervous system function. ⋯ The reduced hormonal and autonomic responses appear to reflect an impairment in the hypothalamic or central nervous system response to stimuli rather than a primary defect at the level of the pituitary gland or the peripheral glands. A combination of multiple, mild impaired responses may lead to more profound physiologic and clinical consequences as compared with a defect in only one system, and could contribute to the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2002
ReviewMyofascial pain syndrome and its suggested role in the pathogenesis and treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic muscle pain disorder in one or more muscles or groups of muscles accompanied by local and referred pain, decreased range of motion, weakness, and often autonomic phenomena. Patients are readily recognized by their history of muscle pain and the presence of myofascial trigger points, which are specific areas of hyperirritability in a muscle that cause local and referred pain on palpation. Failure to recognize MPS often leads to over-investigation, unnecessary medical intervention, and iatrogenic harm with serious cost implications. The purpose of this review is to present clinically relevant data regarding myofascial pain syndrome and to discuss its possible role in the pathophysiology and optimal treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2002
ReviewThe relationship of neck injury and post-traumatic headache.
Although there may be several causes of post-traumatic headache, neck injury is perhaps the most common. This paper primarily reviews the relationship of neck injury, whiplash, and post-traumatic headache. Mechanisms may include structural damage from acceleration or extension of the neck, development of myofascial pain and trigger points, interaction of the trigeminal nociceptive system with the upper cervical (occipital) nerves, and psychologic and emotional factors. Although some healing will occur, the outcome may depend on a number of human factors (awareness of an impending collision) and the fact that repaired tissue is different from normal, uninjured tissue.
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Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome of unknown etiology characterized by diffuse pain and tender points, which have been present for more than 3 months. Many patients with systemic illnesses can have diffuse pain similar to that found in fibromyalgia, including rheumatic diseases such as polymyalgia rheumatica, rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, systemic lupus erythematosus, and joint hypermobility. ⋯ In addition, there has been interest throughout the past 10 years in infectious diseases including hepatitis C, Lyme disease, coxsackie B, HIV, and parvovirus infection, which may cause or trigger fibromyalgia. This paper provides a framework to use when identifying these diseases as part of the evaluation of a patient with chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain.