Fibromyalgia
Misdiagnosis of fibromyalgia and small-fibre polyneuropathy
Some people diagnosed with fibromyalgia may actually have small-fibre polyneuropathy (SFPN), says a new study.
People with fibromyalgia experience chronic widespread pain but specific abnormalities or causes have not been identified. SFPN has similar symptoms to fibromyalgia but is caused by the dysfunction and degeneration of peripheral small-fibre neurons. Its causes are established and some are treatable. Continue reading
Moderate exercise could guard against tendon disease
Tendon disease has been associated with exercise but a new study suggests that moderate exercise could actually keep tendons healthy.
Tendon disease is caused by damage to tendons at cellular level; published in Molecular Cell Research, this study found that moving around decreases a group of enzymes that degrade tendon tissue and increase tendon protein.
“The onset of tendon disease has always been associated with exercise; however this association has not been fully understood,” says lead researcher Dr Eleanor Jones. “We have shown that moderate exercise has a positive effect on tendons. Continue reading
New test for fibromyalgia has pilot study success
A finger-stick blood sample that detects fibromyalgia has been tested in a pilot study, with great success. Experts believe that it the test were widely available it could potentially knock up to five years off the wait for a diagnosis.
Scientists programmed a highly specialised microscope to recognise the particular molecular pattern (in blood spot samples) unique to people with fibromyalgia. The equipment was able to tell the difference between fibromyalgia and two types of arthritis that share some of the same symptoms. Continue reading
