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Differences between fibromyalgia and CFS
While the severity of symptoms fluctuates from a person to another, the similarity made experts believe that and may be one and the same.
But are specialists that mark the differences between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia (FMS), few of them presented below:
1. Fibromyalgia is often associated to an injury or physical or emotional trauma; CFS tends to have a flu-like onset. People with chronic fatigue only do not have tender points.
2. The criteria for diagnosing CFS are chronic fatigue for at least 6 months plus 4 or more other typical such as muscle pain, headaches, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, problems with thinking, and sleep problems. The criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia implies a history of widespread pain lasting at least three months, pain and tenderness in at least eleven of the eighteen tender-point sites. But this difference is relative because research shows that 50-70% of those with fibromyalgia also fit the criteria for CFS and vice versa.
3. CFS patients have a strong intolerance for exercise, while for fibromyalgia patients exercise is recommended as being therapeutic.
Although there are significant differences between the two syndromes, many patients with chronic fatigue syndrome may have FMS. Based on the number of symptoms shared, it could appear as correct the term of CFS - fibromyalgia type. |