Chronic Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of persistent widespread pain and tenderness. Individuals may also experience a wide range of other symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, fatigue, stiffness, and depression.

Many people with this disease also experience additional symptoms such as headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder, cognitive and memory problems , pelvic pain, restless leg syndrome, sensitivity to noise and temperature, and anxiety. Chronic Fibromyalgia treatments include medications, exercise programs, alternative therapies and more. Most people find that a combination of therapies works best.

Chronic Fibromyalgia is not a diagnosis of exclusion and should be diagnosed by its own characteristic features.  In this condition, the nervous system (nerves, spinal cord, and brain) is not able to control what it feels, so ordinary feelings from your muscles, joints, and soft tissues are experienced as pain. This complex disease is influenced by multiple factors, including hormonal and psychological issues. For instance, the increased prevalence of chronic Fibromyalgia in women suggests a hormonal influence.

Chronic Fibromyalgia is considered an arthritis-related condition. However,it is not a form of arthritis (a disease of the joints) since it does not cause inflammation in the joints, muscles, or other tissues.

Between 3 percent and 6 percent of the American population are effected by Chronic Fibromyalgia Syndrome and it could be viewed as a role disorder as seventy-five percent of those affected are women aged 30 to 59.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, since women are more prone to this diseases, a woman could have Chronic Fibromyalgia Syndrome if she has 11 tender points out of 18 possible spots on her body in places such as elbows, shoulder muscles, sides of the hips or front of the chest. Fibromyalgia can sometimes feel like the flu .

Chronic Fibromyalgia is a serious medical condition. None of the information shared here should be construed as replacing any medical treatment that may be needed. Chronic Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose. It does not cause inflammation and cannot be diagnosed with X-rays, blood tests or samples of muscle tissue.

Chronic Fibromyalgia is an extremely common chronic condition that can be challenging to manage.