Diana Baylis and Erica Olson
July 19, 2010
PHC6000-Managerial Epidemiology
Epidemiology Paper – Fibromyalgia
We have not plagiarized on any aspect of this assignment. Executive Summary
Fibromyalgia is chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally, and socially (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009). Currently, there is no known cause or cure for fibromyalgia (NFA, 2009). Fibromyalgia is not a disease; rather it is referred to as a syndrome (NFA, 2009). According to the National Fibromyalgia Association (2009), a syndrome is described as a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that occur together, but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.
This paper will consist of four sections. The first section will discuss the distribution of the patterns and trends of fibromyalgia throughout the world, the United States, Florida, and Central Florida. The second section will identify the multiple risk factors and symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, and it will address who and what age group is most affected by this syndrome. The third section will discuss the evaluation of preventative strategies or efforts for fibromyalgia. The purpose of this section will be to discuss the alternative therapy methods, exercise programs, and medication therapies, as well as combination therapy methods to cope with fibromyalgia and improve quality of life. The fourth section will discuss implications of public health interventions. The purpose of this section will be to discuss how public health organizations can educate the public about the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia, as well as access points in the healthcare system to receive the correct care patients need to cope with and treat fibromyalgia.
Patterns and Trends
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It can also cause overtiredness and multiple oversensitive areas, especially when slight pressure is applied and it causes pain. Fibromyalgia has also been referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis, and fibrositis (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009).
Currently there are no tests that can diagnosis fibromyalgia. Patients who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia must have continuous widespread pain for three months or longer, and they must exhibit pain in 11 out of the 18 tender points when pressure is applied (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009). According to the CDC (2009), other symptoms include, morning stiffness, tingling or numbness in hands and feet ,headaches, including migraines ,irritable bowel syndrome, problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called "fibro fog"),painful menstrual periods and other pain syndromes.
Information Source [Mayo Clinic, 2010]
Women are more prevalent than men to be affected by this condition, but men and children can also be affected by this condition. It is estimated that approximately 10 million people in the United States are affected by this condition, and it is estimated that between 3 – 6% of the world population is affected as well (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009). 80-90% of people who are diagnosed with the disease are women. It has not been proven why women are more likely to develop the disease than men but experts believe that it could be related to differences in hormones. (Fibromyalgia, 2009)
Risk Factors
-The actual cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Some doctors believe that it is caused from a chemical imbalance related to hormones that affect nerve signaling. There are other doctors that believe that the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia comes from stress or trauma. However, since there is not a clear understanding behind the cause of fibromyalgia, most researchers believe that fibromyalgia does not come from one certain event, but instead comes from a combination of risk factors.
There are underlying risk factors that can cause an individual to suffer from this condition.
· Emotional or Physical Trauma- car accidents, being deployed to war, injuries to the body with repetitive motions, and infections or illnesses (Florida Department of Health, 2009). · Genetics · Age · Gender · Rheumatic Disorders
-Disturbed Sleep Patterns
-Stress
-Chronic Conditions
Information Source [Mayo Clinic, April 2010]
Preventative Strategies and Efforts · Pain Management · Sleep Management · Psychological Support · Alternative Treatments: Acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic treatments.
Information source [National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009]
Public Health Interventions
Educating the public about the condition fibromyalgia, and making the public aware of the condition. If the population is educated and aware of the symptoms, this can lead to early treatment and detection of fibromyalgia. The education may consist of different types of treatments, such as medication treatments and alternative treatments, or a combination of treatments. Also, providing better access to patients who come from different cultural and ethnical backgrounds. Access seems to be a problem for patients who suffer from this condition (R. Gleason, personal communication, July 13, 2010).
Appendix The reason that Erica and I chose to research fibromyalgia for our epidemiology paper was because neither one of us knew that much about the condition. Also, we both very interested to learn about fibromyalgia, and the mystery behind the condition. The reason we chose to work together was because we were doing another assignment together in another class, and we decided to work as a team as well in this class. Another reason was because we live very close to each other, and when gathering information specific to our county, it seemed logical to work together.
The plan on how we were dividing the work. In the beginning of our research we decided to break up the writing assignments as follows, Erica would complete section 2 and 4, which were risk factors and implications of public health interventions, and I would complete sections 1 and 3, which were patterns and trends and preventative strategies and efforts. There really was no method as to why we chose these sections, but I have dealt with the Florida Department of Health prior to gather information about other diseases. Also, I only live two minutes away from them which is a perk. The plan for the discussion board was that each of us would add a discussion every other week. For example, Erica would post to the discussion board the first week, I would post to the discussion board the next week. However, some this changed because if I found a new contact I would add it to the discussion board. Also, some of the contacts I would speak to or leave messages for never called me back or could not answer my questions, which does not help our paper. There was no method behind the Wiki either. When the Wiki opened, I just decided to start putting information on it, as soon as I found the information. Also, I informed Erica if she had any new information that was not on the Wiki to please add it. Furthermore, there was no plan to put the paper together. Erica had her sections done before me, so I took the initiative to put the paper together and complete the executive summary. Overall, we worked very well together as a team. We completed all of our sections by the deadline and we both did our share on researching fibromyalgia. After completing this project, we learned a lot of information. Not only did we learn about the disease, we also learned who to contact to get more information on topics related to different diseases such as patterns and trends, risk factors, preventative strategies, and public health interventions.
Diana Baylis and Erica Olson
July 19, 2010
PHC6000-Managerial Epidemiology
Epidemiology Paper – Fibromyalgia
We have not plagiarized on any aspect of this assignment.
Executive Summary
Fibromyalgia is chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally, and socially (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009). Currently, there is no known cause or cure for fibromyalgia (NFA, 2009). Fibromyalgia is not a disease; rather it is referred to as a syndrome (NFA, 2009). According to the National Fibromyalgia Association (2009), a syndrome is described as a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that occur together, but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.
This paper will consist of four sections. The first section will discuss the distribution of the patterns and trends of fibromyalgia throughout the world, the United States, Florida, and Central Florida. The second section will identify the multiple risk factors and symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, and it will address who and what age group is most affected by this syndrome. The third section will discuss the evaluation of preventative strategies or efforts for fibromyalgia. The purpose of this section will be to discuss the alternative therapy methods, exercise programs, and medication therapies, as well as combination therapy methods to cope with fibromyalgia and improve quality of life. The fourth section will discuss implications of public health interventions. The purpose of this section will be to discuss how public health organizations can educate the public about the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia, as well as access points in the healthcare system to receive the correct care patients need to cope with and treat fibromyalgia.
Patterns and Trends
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. It can also cause overtiredness and multiple oversensitive areas, especially when slight pressure is applied and it causes pain. Fibromyalgia has also been referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome, fibromyositis, and fibrositis (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009).
Currently there are no tests that can diagnosis fibromyalgia. Patients who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia must have continuous widespread pain for three months or longer, and they must exhibit pain in 11 out of the 18 tender points when pressure is applied (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009). According to the CDC (2009), other symptoms include, morning stiffness, tingling or numbness in hands and feet ,headaches, including migraines ,irritable bowel syndrome, problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called "fibro fog"),painful menstrual periods and other pain syndromes.
Information Source [Mayo Clinic, 2010]
Women are more prevalent than men to be affected by this condition, but men and children can also be affected by this condition. It is estimated that approximately 10 million people in the United States are affected by this condition, and it is estimated that between 3 – 6% of the world population is affected as well (National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009). 80-90% of people who are diagnosed with the disease are women. It has not been proven why women are more likely to develop the disease than men but experts believe that it could be related to differences in hormones. (Fibromyalgia, 2009)
Risk Factors
-The actual cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Some doctors believe that it is caused from a chemical imbalance related to hormones that affect nerve signaling. There are other doctors that believe that the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia comes from stress or trauma. However, since there is not a clear understanding behind the cause of fibromyalgia, most researchers believe that fibromyalgia does not come from one certain event, but instead comes from a combination of risk factors.
There are underlying risk factors that can cause an individual to suffer from this condition.
· Emotional or Physical Trauma- car accidents, being deployed to war, injuries to the body with repetitive motions, and infections or illnesses (Florida Department of Health, 2009).
· Genetics
· Age
· Gender
· Rheumatic Disorders
-Disturbed Sleep Patterns
-Stress
-Chronic Conditions
Information Source [Mayo Clinic, April 2010]
Preventative Strategies and Efforts
· Pain Management
· Sleep Management
· Psychological Support
· Alternative Treatments: Acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, and chiropractic treatments.
Information source [National Fibromyalgia Association, 2009]
Public Health Interventions
Educating the public about the condition fibromyalgia, and making the public aware of the condition. If the population is educated and aware of the symptoms, this can lead to early treatment and detection of fibromyalgia. The education may consist of different types of treatments, such as medication treatments and alternative treatments, or a combination of treatments. Also, providing better access to patients who come from different cultural and ethnical backgrounds. Access seems to be a problem for patients who suffer from this condition (R. Gleason, personal communication, July 13, 2010).
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009, October). Fibromyalgia. Retrieved on June 15, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm.
Fibromyalgia. (2009). Retrieved on June 30, 2010 from UW Medicine: http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/fibromyalgia/tablD_3376/ItemID_33?PageID_4/Articles?Default.aspx
Florida Department of Health. (2009). Your Health: Fibromyalgia. Retrieved on June 15, 2010 from http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/wh/lifespan/Middleage/fibromyalgia.html.
Mayo Clinic (2010, April). Fibromyalgia. Retrieved on June 15, 2010 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079.
National Fibromyalgia Association. (2009). Fibromyalgia. Retrieved on June 15, 2010 from http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer?pagename=fibromyalgia .
Appendix
The reason that Erica and I chose to research fibromyalgia for our epidemiology paper was because neither one of us knew that much about the condition. Also, we both very interested to learn about fibromyalgia, and the mystery behind the condition. The reason we chose to work together was because we were doing another assignment together in another class, and we decided to work as a team as well in this class. Another reason was because we live very close to each other, and when gathering information specific to our county, it seemed logical to work together.
The plan on how we were dividing the work. In the beginning of our research we decided to break up the writing assignments as follows, Erica would complete section 2 and 4, which were risk factors and implications of public health interventions, and I would complete sections 1 and 3, which were patterns and trends and preventative strategies and efforts. There really was no method as to why we chose these sections, but I have dealt with the Florida Department of Health prior to gather information about other diseases. Also, I only live two minutes away from them which is a perk. The plan for the discussion board was that each of us would add a discussion every other week. For example, Erica would post to the discussion board the first week, I would post to the discussion board the next week. However, some this changed because if I found a new contact I would add it to the discussion board. Also, some of the contacts I would speak to or leave messages for never called me back or could not answer my questions, which does not help our paper. There was no method behind the Wiki either. When the Wiki opened, I just decided to start putting information on it, as soon as I found the information. Also, I informed Erica if she had any new information that was not on the Wiki to please add it. Furthermore, there was no plan to put the paper together. Erica had her sections done before me, so I took the initiative to put the paper together and complete the executive summary.
Overall, we worked very well together as a team. We completed all of our sections by the deadline and we both did our share on researching fibromyalgia. After completing this project, we learned a lot of information. Not only did we learn about the disease, we also learned who to contact to get more information on topics related to different diseases such as patterns and trends, risk factors, preventative strategies, and public health interventions.