MS Vs. Fibromyalgia
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and fibromyalgia are clinically defined as chronic disorders of the body's central nervous system. Though MS and fibromyalgia may reflect many similarities, the differences between these disorders exist in their classification, symptoms and tests.
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Clinical Definitions
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Defined as chronic neurological disorders, multiple sclerosis (MS) is looked upon as a disease while fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome.
Neurological Disease
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According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), MS is a disease where "communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted." In the Dec. 20, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Dr. Susan Ringhold says this disruption "results in the inflammation and damage to the myelin (insulation of the nerve fibers) and other cells of the nervous system."
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Neurological Syndrome
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Fibromyalgia is categorized as a syndrome because, according to the American College of Rheumatology, "the signs, symptoms, and medical problems cannot be attributed to a specific cause."
Symptoms
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The common symptoms MS and fibromyalgia share are fatigue, irritable bowel movement, uncontrolled bladder, muscle weakness and depression. A person who has MS may also have blurred or double vision, blindness in one eye, partial or complete paralysis, hearing loss, or a speech impediment.
Causes
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The origins of MS and fibromyalgia are unknown. According to NINDS, "doctors may not be able to readily identify the cause of the symptoms, leading to years of uncertainty and multiple diagnosis."
Tests
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There is no way to test for fibromyalgia, and the American College of Rheumatology asserts that "patients have to be diagnosed based on the symptoms they are experiencing." With MS, individuals may undergo blood tests, neurological tests, MRI scan and lumbar puncture.
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