BCHS physician to speak about fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a common chronic musculoskeletal disorder
characterized primarily by diffuse pain and fatigue.
The two major diagnostic criteria are widespread musculoskeletal
pain and excess tenderness in at least 11 of 18 predefined
locations on a person's body. 
Lakshmi P. Kocharla, M.D., a member of the Battle Creek
Health System medical staff and a family medicine physician
at Summit Healthcare Group will speak on the topic 'Understanding
Fibromyalgia' on Thursday, June 4, noon at Burnham Brook
Senior Center. Senior Health Partners presents the program
as part of its 'Aging Well' series, which is free to
the public.
A lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. followed by Dr.
Kocharla's presentation at noon. Seating is limited.
Reservations can be made by calling the class/seminar
registration line at (877) GO2-BCHS (877-462-2247).
Dr. Kocharla will cover during this program the various
aspects related to fibromyalgia such as potential causes,
who is typically affected by this condition, what are
the primary symptoms and current approaches in treatment.
"Fibromyalgia is noted as one of the most common
chronic widespread types of pain in the U.S," says
Dr. Kocharla. "Statistics indicate it affects more
than 6 million people. Currently the causes of this disorder
are not fully known. Recent studies suggest that changes
in the central nervous system may contribute to the chronic
pain of this condition as such nerve and brain cells
can become extra sensitive under certain conditions."
This condition may lead to extra signals being sent
to the brain, and an increase in the pain that a person
feels. A person whose central nervous system has become
extra sensitive may feel a type of chronic widespread
pain that is typical of fibromyalgia.
The pain may occur as a result of a number of things
such as viral infections, trauma, musculoskeletal injury,
and exposure to chronic stress. Sleep disorders that
go along with fibromyalgia may make the condition worse
which can complicate the symptoms.
"As with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
they often seem to begin after an infection or a severe
shock (physical or emotional), and the symptoms are very
similar," says Dr. Kocharla. "The only obvious
difference seems to be that for some people the fatigue
element is the most dominant while for others the muscular
pain symptoms are greatest. In other words for many people
the diagnosis chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
are interchangeable terms, although there are certain
symptoms (fever, swollen glands for example) which are
found in a higher percentage of chronic fatigue syndrome
patients than those with fibromyalgia, which sometimes
make such a comparison less precise."
Currently there is no blood tests or diagnostic studies
that can tell someone if they have fibromyalgia, but
research continues to focus on ways to improve diagnose
and treatment of this condition.
Senior Health Partners, a community partnership of Battle
Creek Health System, CentraCare, Region 3B Area Agency
on Aging, and Summit Pointe, works to expand wellness
and educational offerings to senior citizens in Calhoun
and surrounding counties.
Battle Creek Health System, sponsored by two parent
organizations--Trinity Health (the fourth largest Catholic
health system in the U.S. with 21 hospitals, 9 nursing
homes, 19 senior house facilities, 8 home health care
agencies, and 4 hospices in Michigan alone) and BCHS
Community Partners, is accredited by the Joint Commission
on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Battle
Creek Health System is a recipient of the 2008 HealthGrades
Orthopaedic Surgery Excellence Award(tm) and 2009 Five
Star rated for joint replacement surgery and total knee
replacement. HealthGrades is a leading health care information
company that provides objective 'report card' ratings
nationwide. BCHS provides excellent health care for the
community and promotes wellness for the whole person
with access and compassion for all. For the latest medical
information, visit the BCHS web site at www.bchealth.com
or call the BCHS Marketing Department at (269) 966-8132.
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About the Presenter:
Lakshmi P. Kocharla, MD specializes in internal medicine
and rheumatology. She is a member of the Battle Creek
Health System medical staff and is affiliated with Associated
Internal Medicine Specialists.
Dr. Kocharla received her medical degree from the Guntur
Medical College in Guntur, India. She completed her residency
training at McLaren Regional Medical Center through Michigan
State University's Department of internal medicine. She
received her subspecialty training in rheumatology as
a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cincinnati
in Ohio.
Dr. Kocharla is board certified in internal medicine
and her subspecialty certification in rheumatology is
pending.
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