Due to the mysterious nature of this syndrome, fibromyalgia has been the primary focus in its fair share of clinical studies. There may not be a cure for this medical condition, but advancements in neuroscience and rheumatology have allowed us to develop better treatments for fibromyalgia patients. These improved therapies would not be possible if it weren’t for the data provided by clinical trials like the ones we are conducting at our facility.
Fibromyalgia is a syndrome that is largely associated with producing chronic pain and chronic fatigue symptoms. Patients also struggle with insomnia as well as memory issues and depression. The exact cause of fibromyalgia remains unknown, but experts theorize that the disorder amplifies the way the body feels pain by tampering with the brain’s ability to process pain signals.
Fibromyalgia Fast Facts
- Fibromyalgia can be a primary or secondary condition
- The syndrome often goes undiagnosed for months or even years
- 90% of fibro patients suffer from chronic fatigue and/or sleep disorders
- At least 12 million Americans are living with this disorder
- Fibromyalgia affects more women than men
Fibromyalgia can produce such a broad range of symptoms that its not uncommon for patients to be misdiagnosed at first. These indications may start to manifest following a/an:
- Physical trauma
- Surgical procedure
- Serious psychological episode
Clinical studies have also shown that it’s just as likely for these fibro symptoms to develop gradually over time– not stemming from any single event.
Several large-scale studies have also shown that more women are affected by this disorder than men. Women between the ages of 25 and 60 are about 10 times more likely to develop fibromyalgia than their male counterparts. Although, there has been some evidence that suggests there are a large number of male patients who’ve gone undiagnosed (there is no single test which can identify fibromyalgia).
It’s not uncommon for people living with fibromyalgia to also develop the following medical conditions:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
- Tension headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
As we mentioned earlier, there is still no comprehensive cure available for fibromyalgia patients. That being said there is more than one way to treat this chronic disorder over the long-run. Most patients will have to find a healthy balance between their medications and incorporating more exercise, stress-reduction and relaxation techniques into their daily routine. Check out our page on fibromyalgia treatment and management for more information.
Fibromyalgia Tender Points
Another common characteristic of this syndrome is the fibro “tender point”. Most patients have these tender points located in different areas around their bodies. Tender points are localized spots which produce significant pain when disturbed or when pressure is applied to them (they can also be located around the joints in some patients).
Most tender points aren’t deep places of pain. They tend to be more superficial points that seem to reside just underneath the patient’s skin. Tender points can manifest on the:
Fibromyalgia Clinical Trials in DeLand, FL
Avail Clinical Research is currently conducting a wide array of clinical studies targeted towards certain conditions. You may be eligible to participate in one of our fibromyalgia clinical trials and to contribute to the development and the approval of a new drug or treatment. As a participant, there is no cost to you at any point during the study and health insurance is not required. Browse our clinical trials being conducted now to find the study best suited for you.
The Mysterious Disease: A Video on Fibromyalgia
Accredited Resources for Fibromyalgia
If you live near Central Florida, click here to learn more about participating in a fibromyalgia clinical trial. Also, our sister site Achieve Clinical Research conducts fibromyalgia clinical trials in Birmingham, Alabama.