Fibromyalgia Diagnosis - How Do You Diagnose Fibromyalgia
So is there an official diagnosis for fibromyalgia? How does someone who suspects they may be suffering from it actually have it confirmed it’s arrived in their life?
Well, self diagnosis is never recommended for anything medical - even doctors who diagnose their own ailments are sometimes frowned upon. If you suspect the symptoms of fibromyalgia are at play then get a professional opinion. That is, make an appointment to see you doctor.
Can Doctors Diagnose Fibromyalgia?
This is a very tough question to answer. Reason is, because of the sometimes mysterious nature of fibromyalgia and becuase there doesn’t seem to be anything tangible to diagnose such as with a disease, many doctors may overlook it as a cause of the symptoms you’re suffering.
They will obviously explore other causes first and that’s only natural so be patient. Sooner or later fibromyalgia will be put forward as a reason for the symptoms you may be suffering.
Criteria For Diagnosis Of Fibromyalgia
One of the best explanations on how to diagnose fibromyalgia has been put forward by the American College of Rheumatology.There is a summary of what are known as the tender point locations.
Fibromyalgia can be diagnosed if:
- A person suffers widespread pain over a period of three months or more.
- Widespread pain meaning pain in all four corners of the body but not necessarily all being affected at the same time. For example, pain could be experienced in the upper or lower half of the body or the left or right half.
- It’s been determined that there are at least 18 trigger points in the body. A person would need to be suffering pain or soreness in at least 11 of these trigger points.
- The trigger points are distributed at various positions on the front and back of the body. The main concentration is around the neck and shoulder area where there are at least nine. Other areas where trigger points are located are the buttocks, back and front of the knee area and there is also a trigger point located in the arm.
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