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How Fibromyalgia Research is Advancing the
Understanding of the Disease
Fibromyalgia is not a very well understood disease. Until very
recently, it was not even considered a disease. Some doctors
called it a psychosomatic condition; others said that it was a
manifestation of another condition. It wasn't until the last
few decades that fibromyalgia research was started and the
condition began to be a little more understood.
Fibromyalgia research has largely focused on the cause of the
condition and how it affects the body. We know that it causes
pain, fatigue, depression, and an overall sense of unwell, but
it's not known how fibromyalgia picks a victim. We don't yet
understand if there are preexisting conditions that lead to the
development of fibromyalgia, if it is hereditary, or if there
is some other cause.
The advancements so far in fibromyalgia research have brought
us several medications that can be used to control or reduce
the symptoms. The effects of these medications are temporary
and will wear off as soon as the medication treatment ends, but
they can provide some measure of relief from the constant pain
that most fibromyalgia sufferers live with.
Other facets of fibromyalgia research have focused on the links
between pain and certain behaviors or conditions. Sleep,
gender, stress, and overall pain sensitivity have been the
subjects of fibromyalgia research recently. Researchers hope to
determine what, if any, factors can contribute to the decrease
of pain for sufferers. By figuring out what precedes the pain,
fibromyalgia research studies hope to figure out how to prevent
it.
One of the most promising fibromyalgia research studies
currently being conducted has to do with pain tolerance and
coping methods, and how attitude can predict how one will
handle the condition. This study may help to define the link
between emotions and physical pain.
Slow But Steady
It may seem to some that fibromyalgia research is moving along
at a very slow pace. Indeed, there have not been any remarkable
breakthroughs so far that will immediately change the lives of
all sufferers. No cure has been found, and no miracle
medication has been shown to relieve all symptoms for all
patients. No fibromyalgia gene has been isolated as a result of
fibromyalgia research. However, the research continues every
day. Every day that researchers are studying the disease and
its sufferers, we get a little closer to understanding this
complex condition.
One day we may be able to prevent or cure fibromyalgia. For
now, fibromyalgia research continues; the researchers who are
dedicated to finding out all they can about this disease are
constantly bringing us closer to the day when we can be free
from fibromyalgia.
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