Fibromyalgia
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Fibromyalgia means muscle pain of a non-inflammatory nature that lasts for 3 months or more. This syndrome is a second or third reason by frequency in the list of causes for visiting the rheumatologist in the developed countries. Its prevalence among population varies from 4 to 8%. Pain can be so severe that it often requires the intake of narcotic pain medications.
The Booking Health portal presents 41 German clinics specializing in fibromyalgia treatment
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Fibromyalgia – Diagnostics
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when there is pain in the muscles, but there are no other signs of the possible pathology that could provoke this symptom. Thus, almost all the laboratory and instrumental tests are aimed at the exclusion of different diseases, which are able to cause muscle pain.
Standard examination plan is as follows:
- Clinical analysis of urine and blood
- Biochemical blood test (for creatinine, creatine phosphokinase, hepatic enzymes)
- Blood tests for thyroid hormones
- Blood tests for rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies (if symptoms of systemic autoimmune connective tissue disease are present)
- X-ray examination of the joints and spine
- Electromyography
- CT scan
- MRI
Criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia are based on the clinical examination:
- Pain is present in all four quadrants of the human body (upper and lower, right and left parts of the body)
- Pain lasts no less than 3 months
- Soreness of at least 11 of 18 increased pain sensitivity body points is detected
First two criteria are mandatory and the third one is the additional one. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by a doctor even if there are less than 11 pain sensitivity spots.
Best clinics for the fibromyalgia diagnostics in Germany:
Fibromyalgia – Treatment
Fibromyalgia is treated conservatively. Main directions of therapy are:
- Drug therapy
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Health resort treatment
- Therapeutic exercises (walking, swimming, aerobics, gymnastics)
Manual therapy was previously used, but in recent years it has been used less and less often because of low efficiency. It provokes an increase of the pain in a number of patients.
Non-pharmacological methods of treatment are:
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Thermal baths
- Infrared rays
- Cryotherapy
Medication therapy includes the use of:
- Antidepressants
- Analgesics
- Muscle relaxants
- Anticonvulsants
- Hypnotics
Severe pain may require the use of the opiates (narcotic analgesics).
New treatment techniques of fibromyalgia are now available in German hospitals:
- Phototherapy presupposes the exposure to bright white light. Usually, doctors conduct courses of 10 30-minutes sessions in the morning. As a result, pain decreases, depression goes away and sleep normalizes.
- Introduction of botulinum toxin into painful points relaxes the muscles and promotes relief of the pain for several months.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Duration of the course is 2 months (5 90-minutes sessions per week). It allows to reduce pain and need for painkillers.
- Laser therapy. Laser influence on the painful points gives not only a short-term, but also a long-term analgesic effect. It stimulates microcirculation and improves the filling of tissues with oxygen. It stops the pain impulses.
Best clinics for the fibromyalgia treatment in Germany:
University Hospital Rechts der Isar Munich
University Hospital of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
Max Grundig Clinic Buehl
Author:
The article was edited by medical expert, board certified Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova. For the treatment of the conditions referred to in the article you must consult a doctor; the information in the article is not intended for self-medication!
Sources:
The cost of services includes
Here you can find the cost of treatment for this disease at the German University Hospitals. Leave a request and we will provide a free consultation with a doctor and will start organizing the whole treatment process.
The program includes the following:
- Issuing of an invitation for getting a visa for treatment as quick as possible
- Fixing an appointment at a time convenient for you
- Preliminary organization of a comprehensive examination and discussion of the forthcoming treatment plan
- Arranging transfer from the airport to the hospital and back to the airport
- Provision of interpreting services and services of a personal medical coordinator
- If necessary, assistance in the organization of further surgical treatment
- Provision of a medical insurance against treatment complications covering up to 200,000 euro
- Preparation and translation of medical records and recommendations from the hospital
- Assistance in the subsequent communication with your attending physician, including consultations on repeated X-ray images through the unique medical document management system E-doc
