| What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia(fi-bro-my-AL-ja) syndrome is a chronic disorder characterized by extreme pain and tenderness in multiple muscles and joints. The term fibromyalgia means pain in fibrous and muscular tissues. The pain occurs in areas where the muscles attach to bone or ligaments and is similar to the pain of arthritis. The joints are not affected, so they are not deformed, nor do they deteriorate as they may in arthritis. The worst part about fibromyalgia is the pain is not localized to specific joints. The pain is felt "all over," spreading out from the spine over large areas of the body, especially in the lower back and arms. The pain can vary from muscle twitching to a burning sensation. People with fibromyalgia are susceptible to other chronic painful conditions such as osteoarthritis or migraine. The pain can vary, depending on the time of day, weather changes, physical activity, and the presence of stressful situations. Fibromyalgia was originally named fibrositis. Fibromyalgia pain continues throughout a person’s lifetime. Fibromyalgia is also called FMS What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia? There are many symptoms and everyone that has fibromyalgia will not experience the same symptoms. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can occur anywhere between 20-55 years of age. Pain is the most prominent symptom. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia are:
Can Fibromyalgia be treated? Since the symptoms of fibromyalgia are diverse and vary among patients, treatment programs must be individualized. Treatment programs are most effective when they combine patient education, trigger point therapy, stress reduction, regular exercise, and medications. Are you at risk for developing Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia affects about two percent of the United States population. However, more women are affected than men -- women with the disease outnumber men by about twenty to one. The risk of developing fibromyalgia increases with age. Women between the ages of 60 and 79 years have about a seven percent chance of developing fibromyalgia. What Causes Fibromyalgia? Researchers are unsure of what causes fibromyalgia. Researchers have found elevated levels of a nerve chemical signal, called substance P, and nerve growth factor in the spinal fluid of fibromyalgia patients. Fibromyalgia is sometimes triggered by a traumatic event. Fibromyalgia Statistics
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