preview

Fibromyalgia Research Paper

Decent Essays

Normal childhood infections and injuries are fairly simple to diagnose in childhood. It is simple to take a throat swab to find out if the teenager has strep throat or not. Unfortunately, some children have symptoms that are harder to diagnose. They may report symptoms like problems sleeping, fatigue, pain and achiness. While these could be symptoms of a variety of illnesses, it is possible that these symptoms could be caused by fibromyalgia. Known for causing pain in soft tissues and muscles around the joints, fibromyalgia is harder to diagnose in children than adults.

While the majority of fibromyalgia sufferers are women over the age of 18, an estimated 1 to 7 percent of children are believed to have the condition. When it occurs in children, …show more content…

There seems to be a genetic link to the condition since it is more common among families. Scientists have researched connections between fibromyalgia and biochemical, immune, psychological and endocrine issues. To date, there still is not a gene or anything else that has been connected with the condition for sure.

Among teenagers, more girls are diagnosed with the condition than boys. On average, girls are diagnosed between the ages of 13 and 15. While this is the normal time to be diagnosed, fibromyalgia can develop at any point.

Spotting Symptoms

Among children, the most common symptom of fibromyalgia is sore spots on specific muscles. If these tender spots are touched, they will hurt. A doctor will normally touch 18 spots on the teenager's body that are common locations for fibromyalgia pain. Patients who have experienced pain in at least five of these spots for at least three months are diagnosed with the condition. Teenagers may describe the soreness as tenderness, stiffness, aching, tightness or burning.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia in teenagers include:

Restless legs during sleep
Fatigue
Problems sleeping …show more content…

On average, students with fibromyalgia miss three days of school every month. Other than hurting their grades, this can make the condition socially isolating. Missing so much school makes it hard to develop friendships and finish academic courses.

Treatment for Fibromyalgia in Teenagers

Once a child is diagnosed with fibromyalgia there are some options available to treat it. A psychologist or counselor can help with symptoms like depression, social isolation and anxiety. Coping strategies like cognitive behavioral therapy can help teenagers learn how to spot pain triggers and cope with them. Muscle relaxation, meditation and other stress-relieving techniques can also help with pain.

Exercise is considered an important part of fibromyalgia treatment. According to studies, children who exercise and have fibromyalgia experience less pain. They are also less likely to experience depression or anxiety. Physical therapy can help improve the child's ability to exercise and work through the muscle soreness. In some cases, medication may be given to help with depression and pain. Currently, the efficacy of drugs for children with fibromyalgia is

Get Access