Is Fibromyalgia a Real Disease?
By Alexander Toldt
21:38, January 14th 2008
96 votes
Vote this story
Is Fibromyalgia a Real Disease?

Is Fibromyalgia a real disease? It seems so, as Lyrica, the first medicine to treat this health problem, was recently approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Or maybe they are all wrong and Pfizer, the drug company that created Lyrica, will be simply cashing some money for treating nothing else than an imaginary disease. Or maybe not.  

However, Lyrica’s approval as a legal drug for a “legal” (that is opposite to “imaginary”) disease became recently a real topic of debate in the United States: two camps were already formed and doctors and common people are already feverishly debating on whether Fibromyalgia exists or not. For doctors who believe Fibromyalgia is a real disease the Lyrica approval represents a milestone, while for the opponents this medication is useless.

Fibromyalgia is said to affect middle-aged women and its symptoms are reportedly characterized by chronic, widespread pain of unknown origin. In many cases it is also said that sufferers are afflicted by other conditions, such as the irritable bowel syndrome. According to doctors specialized in Fibromyalgia, this disease does not typically respond to conventional painkillers such as aspirin. Taking into account that this disease doesn’t virtually affect any organ, Lyrica will in fact affect the sufferers’ brain and the way they perceive pain.

Some doctors say that 2 to 4 percent of adult American women, that is as many as 10 million people, suffer from this Fibromyalgia.

However, despite the controversy, the Food and Drug Administration seems to have recognized Fibromyalgia as a diagnosable disease and approved Lyrica. And the FDA is also in the process of deciding whether two other similar drugs should be approved on the market.



© 2007 - 2008 - eFluxMedia
dotclear

Other News in

FDA Opens Offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai

FDA Opens Offices in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai

The Food and Drug Administration has decided to take an important step when it comes to consumer safety. Thus, three offices will be opened in China this week. The FDA is taking measures to ensure...

Obama Is Expected To Introduce Single-Payer System

Obama Is Expected To Introduce Single-Payer System

Nowadays, everyone seems to think that America’s health-care system is a mess. That’s why Barack Obama is expected to quickly revamp this system, given his change speech during the presidential race....

Attorney General Mukasey Loses Consciousness, But Feels Just Fine

Attorney General Mukasey Loses Consciousness, But Feels Just Fine

Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey collapsed during a speech on Thursday night, being taken to the hospital after he failed to regain consciousness. Mr. Mukasey, a 67-year-old, took over as attorney...

Autumn Babies More Likely To Develop Asthma

Autumn Babies More Likely To Develop Asthma

U.S. researchers concluded on Friday that babies that are born four months before the peak cold and flu season have a 30% higher risk of developing asthma, also suggesting that these common...

It’s High Time You Chose Your Part D Plan

It’s High Time You Chose Your Part D Plan

Until December 31, Medicare Part D is offering an “open-enrollment” period, meaning that seniors can change their prescription drug coverage to pick a new plan that better meets their needs. The...

dotclear
Latest videos in Health
Landmark windpipe transplant
High Heels: Upward Trend...
AIDS cure hope after German...
Dangers Of Childhood Obesity
China smoking costs mount

dotclear
Health You are here: Health
» Science   » Health   
E-mail To A Friend Print RSS Text size: Decrease font size Increase font size
dotclear
dotclear
dotclear
Most Popular in Health
Radio Host Involved In Drug Company Commercial InterestsRadio Host Involved In Drug Company Commercial Interests

» read full story
dotclear

Interested In This Topic?

News Alert will keep you informed. Find out more.
dotclear
Photos Gallery
dotclear
Today's Latest News
Georgia, Poland claim Russian troops fired at presidents

» read full story
dotclear