There is a much lower incidence in males and in non-Caucasians. Determining the number of tender points the patient has is a major factor in making this diagnosis. These points are usually located at the joints and there are 18 possible tender points. A positive finding in 11 of them are needed to make a diagnosis. Additional symptoms can include malaise, irritable bowel problems, frequent bowel or bladder pain, as well as cognitive and memory disturbances.
Treatment is geared toward reducing pain and stiffness as well as improving the quality of sleep.
The severity of these symptoms varies from patient to patient, as does the success of the treatment. Other symptoms can include pelvic and abdominal pain, depression, memory disturbances and most of the same symptoms of Meniere s Disease and Fibromyalgia. Treatment is geared toward relieving pain and sleep disturbances and is nearly identical with that of Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia, CFS and Meniere s Disease are only a few of the invisible illness. Others are tinnitus, sinusitis, seizures, immune disorders, hearing impairment, sign impairment, hypertension, hypotension, cardiac disorders, closed head trauma, kidney disease, diabetes and the list is nearly endless.