Fibromyalgia is the label doctors give to a serious neurological condition that causes pain in the musculoskeletal system. People who suffer from fibromyalgia also feel pain in the tendons, ligaments and the areas of the joints. Another characteristic of fibromyalgia is a pronounced state of fatigue that takes over the entire body. The symptoms of fibromyalgia resemble those of rheumatoid arthritis and due to this fact, fibromyalgia may be misdiagnosed.

However, unlike people with physical illnesses, the people with fibromyalgia seem to be in perfect health. Although the pain reported by people with fibromyalgia is present, it occurs on the premises of abnormal brain activity. People who suffer from fibromyalgia have a very sensitive nervous system and a low tolerance to external stimuli. Increased nervous excitability is considered to be the cause of the intense, recidivating pain experienced by people with fibromyalgia.

In medical terminology, fibromyalgia is actually categorized as a syndrome, rather than a disease. A syndrome is a collection of common symptoms or characteristics that, when combined, constitute a disorder. Premenstrual syndrome is also defined in this way is it refers to the combination of symptoms (irritability, tension, headaches, bloating, gas, depression, fatigue, breast tenderness, and weight gain,) that affect some women prior to menstruation. The most common symptoms of Fibromyalgia syndrome include muscle pain, aches, stiffness, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue. Here’s a closer look at each of these symptoms, and the treatment methods you can use to alleviate them.

Symptom: Pain

The pain from Fibromyalgia is both widespread and localized. This condition usually results in a general achiness and stiffness throughout the body. In addition, sufferers may feel pain at one or all of the “tender points” on the body. These “tender points” are designated sites on the body where tendon connects to bone. They are found in the areas of the shoulders, neck, back, arms, and buttocks. Many people have described the pain of Fibromyalgia to a “stabbing” pain that occurs all over the body. It can also be likened to the soreness and tenderness of the flu.

Treatment: Treating the pain of Fibromyalgia is a complex and lifelong journey. Talk with your health care provider about the diet, exercise, medications, and supplements that may work best in alleviating your pain.

Symptom: Sleep Disorders

Fibromyalgia myths are about as ubiquitous as fibromyalgia symptoms themselves. There are so many unknowns in fibromyalgia, how can one tell “fibromyalgia facts” from fiction? Here’s a simple list of fibromyalgia myths, with the facts to distinguish between what is true, and what’s false, and what you can do to position yourself for health.

1. Fibromyalgia is a fake condition that doesn’t really exist.

This is a common notion that stems from the historical roots of fibromyalgia. Many individuals were originally told that their pain was “in their head.” It wasn’t until the late 1980’s that the term fibromyalgia was coined. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology developed a research model for Fibromyalgia that used the term to describe pain in the soft muscle tissue. Even today, people are told that much of the pain from fibromyalgia is “mental” however, the condition has come a long way in the sense that it is officially recognized as a chronic disease.

If you suffer from Fibromyalgia there is hope to end your suffering and to help you take control of your life. We’ll talk more about this a little later.

Fibromyalgia has been studied since the early 1800s and referred to by a variety of former names, including muscular rheumatism and fibrositis. Fibromyalgia was considered a controversial diagnosis, with some authors contending that the disorder is a ‘non-­‐disease’, due in part to a lack of objective laboratory tests or medical imaging studies to confirm the diagnosis. Fibromyalgia was recognized by the American Medical Association as an illness and a cause of disability in 1987.

To date, there are estimated between 3 and 6 million Americans affected with Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia affects predominantly women (over 80%) between the ages of 35 and 55.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

All symptoms of fibromyalgia are caused by cellular oxygen deprivation. Fibromyalgia symptoms include chronic pain in the muscles, fatigue, painful tender points or trigger points, unrefreshing sleep, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, TMJ disorders, anxiety, depression, restless legs syndrome, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, poor concentration, painful menstrual periods, and heightened sensitivity to odors, noises, bright lights and touch.