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Fibromyalgia is a medical syndrome which commonly presents as chronic widespread pain, accompanied by fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive symptoms. Other symptoms include headaches, lower abdominal pain or cramps, and depression. People with fibromyalgia can also experience insomnia and a general hypersensitivity.
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The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
•Widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.
•Fatigue. People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they report sleeping for long periods of time. Sleep is often disrupted by pain, and many patients with fibromyalgia have other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea.
•Cognitive difficulties. A symptom commonly referred to as "fibro fog" impairs the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate on mental tasks.
Fibromyalgia often co-exists with other conditions, such as:
•Irritable bowel syndrome
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Many researchers believe that repeated nerve stimulation causes the brain and spinal cord of people with fibromyalgia to change. This change involves an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain.
In addition, the brain's pain receptors seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain and become sensitized, meaning they can overreact to painful and nonpainful signals.
There are likely many factors that lead to these changes, including:
•Genetics. Because fibromyalgia tends to run in families, there may be certain genetic mutations that may make you more susceptible to developing the disorder.
•Infections. Some illnesses appear to trigger or aggravate fibromyalgia.
•Physical or emotional events. Fibromyalgia can sometimes be triggered by a physical event, such as a car accident. Prolonged psychological stress may also trigger the condition.
Risk factors for fibromyalgia include:
•Your sex. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed more often in women than in men.
•Family history. You may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if a parent or sibling also has the condition.
•Other disorders. If you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia.
The pain, fatigue, and poor sleep quality associated with fibromyalgia can interfere with your ability to function at home or on the job. The frustration of dealing with an often-misunderstood condition also can result in depression and health-related anxiety.
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By Mayo Clinic Staff
Oct 26, 2021
1.Fibromyalgia. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 6, 2019.
2.Clauw DJ, et al. Fibromyalgia and related conditions. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2015;90:680.
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Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. It may be triggered by physical or emotional events, infections or genetics. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, risk factors and complications of fibromyalgia from Mayo Clinic.
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Dec 1, 2022 · Fibromyalgia is a long-term health condition that causes pain and fatigue throughout your body. It can also affect your mental and emotional well-being. Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment options from Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center.
May 25, 2022 · Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and emotional distress. Learn about the risk factors, diagnosis, complications, and self-management strategies for fibromyalgia from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-lasting) disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping. Scientists do not fully understand what causes it, but people with the disorder have an increased sensitivity to pain.
