nonpharmacologic treatments

Week 6 Discussion

Patient With Polydipsia and Weight Gain

FM is a 52-year-old man complaining of excessive thirst. He was in his usual state of health until about 3 to 4 weeks ago when he experienced a significant weight gain that he blames on the stay-at-home order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been lonely and depressed and sitting at home eating everything in sight. Over the past week he has noticed increasing thirst, urinary frequency, and blurred vision.

Past Medical History

Hypertension

Hyperlipidemia

Medications

Lisinopril, 10 mg daily

Hydrochlorothiazide, 25 mg daily

Atorvastatin, 10 mg daily

Physical Examination

Height: 68 inches; weight: 262 lbs.; BMI: 39.8; blood pressure: 158/96; pulse: 82; respiration rate: 16; temperature: 98.2 F

Well-developed obese Latino male in no distress

Lungs: clear

Heart: regular rate and rhythm

Extremities: no edema

Neurological: no deficits

Labs

Hematocrit: 42%

Random capillary blood glucose: 358 mg/dL

Hemoglobin A1c: 11.4% Urinalysis: specific gravity 1.010, pH 7.4, 4+ glucose, zero acetone

Discussion Questions

1. What nonpharmacologic treatments should be recommended to FM?

1. What nonpharmacologic treatments should be recommended to FM?

Introduction

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a painful and debilitating condition characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. It is estimated that about 2 million people in the United States are affected, making it one of the most common rheumatological conditions. Fibromyalgia affects women more than men and occurs more frequently in older age groups.

What nonpharmacologic treatments should be recommended to FM?

Nonpharmacologic treatments should be recommended to FM. These include exercise, nutrition, massage therapy and diagnostic testing (such as a 24-hour urine collection). The role of each treatment depends on the severity of symptoms.

The optimal treatment for FM is still unclear; however, it appears that lifestyle interventions are more effective than pharmacological interventions in reducing fatigue and improving function.

The role of exercise in fibromyalgia syndrome treatment

The role of exercise in the treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome is well-documented.

Exercise can help you feel better and improve your quality of life by:

• Helping you sleep better by reducing pain and fatigue, which can lead to more restful sleep.
• Reducing stress levels, which in turn reduces symptoms such as depression or anxiety disorders.
• Improving concentration levels, which makes it easier for people with FM to concentrate on tasks that require focus (like schoolwork).

The role of nutrition in fibromyalgia syndrome treatment

• Dietary modifications
• Avoid foods that can aggravate FM symptoms, such as caffeine and alcohol, which may cause a flare-up of your pain.
• Eat healthy foods to help manage fatigue and improve energy levels:
• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits are high in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C (which helps produce collagen), beta-carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), potassium, magnesium and fiber; vegetables contain antioxidants such as vitamins C&E or carotenoids that protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals in the body (1). They also contain B vitamins like niacinamide which help convert food into energy so you feel full longer without feeling hungry later on (2). Also keep an eye out for hidden sugars such as fructose found in soda pop/juice drinks which can interfere with digestive function causing gas build up leading to bloating or constipation – this is why it’s important not just avoid sodas but also limit sweetener intake from all sources during meal times especially when eating out at restaurants since many places use artificial sweeteners instead of natural ones like honey which has been shown in studies over many years now show improved health outcomes when consumed regularly compared with those who do not consume them regularly.”

The role of massage therapy in fibromyalgia syndrome treatment

Massage therapy can help reduce pain and fatigue, improve sleep, reduce depression and improve quality of life. It is a safe treatment option that has been used for more than 4,000 years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

The key components of any massage are pressure on specific points on the body to release tension in specific areas. For example: applying pressure to trigger points in your neck or shoulders may relieve you from headaches or back pain; applying pressure to muscle knots around your knee will reduce joint stiffness; pressing deep into the muscles along your spine releases chronic stress that keeps you tense throughout the day; releasing muscle spasms by rubbing looser tissue using thumbs over an area such as carpals (the rings connecting bones together) can decrease cramping during menstruation or childbirth

Diagnostic Testing for Fibromyalgia Syndrome

There are several diagnostic tests that can be used to help determine whether a patient has fibromyalgia. These include:

• Physical exam. The doctor may ask about your symptoms, including pain and tenderness in the muscles and joints. They may also perform a physical exam to check for muscle tenderness or swelling (redness) around specific parts of the body such as at the base of your spine or in other areas where people often experience pain with exercise or stress.
• Blood tests (including anemia). Anemia is an excessive weakness of the blood because it doesn’t have enough oxygen-carrying red blood cells circulating through it; this condition can cause fatigue even when you’re well rested! If you suspect that this might be happening to you—especially if your hemoglobin level is low but not dangerously so—it’s important not only treat any underlying conditions but also monitor its progress over time so we can get back into balance again as soon as possible!

Treatments for the disease will vary depending on the severity of symptoms.

FM is a complex disease, and treatments for it will vary depending on the severity of symptoms. Treatments may include medication, physical therapy, and exercise (walking). The role of nutrition in FM treatment is unclear. Massage therapy has been used as a treatment for this condition but remains understudied as a potential treatment option.

Conclusion

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a disease that affects millions of people. The cause of the disease isn’t known, but it is characterized by extreme pain in multiple areas of the body and chronic fatigue. There are many possible treatments for FM including nonpharmacologic approaches such as exercise, nutrition, massage therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This list should not be considered exhaustive and there are no guarantees that one treatment will work better than another so it is important to discuss all options with your doctor before making any decisions about how best treat your condition.