WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA?

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious debilitating condition characterized by chronic pain in the muscles and surrounding structures. The word fibromyalgia is derived from the Latin words; “fibro”, meaning fibrous tissue such as ligaments, tendons, or fascia; “my”, meaning muscle tissue, and “algia”, meaning pain. The pain emanating from tendons, ligaments and muscle tissue is unusually tender to palpation (pressing with the fingers). Two major complaints of people suffering from fibromyalgia are pain and fatigue. Other symptoms that may accompany this condition include: sleep problems or insomnia, depression, poor memory and concentration, dizziness, headache, tingling of the extremities, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder (urgency and frequency of urination), cold intolerance, and allergic reactions to drugs, chemicals and environmental toxins. You might wonder, “What is left?” The truth is, there isn’t much, because fibromyalgia affects almost every part of the human body.

Fibromyalgia pain is most commonly felt in the lower back, neck, shoulders, the back of the head, upper chest, and thighs, although any area or areas of the body may also be involved. The pain is usually described as throbbing, burning, shooting or stabbing. It may become so severe that a person feels unable to function or cope. Endurance and stamina are very poor, and the sufferer often feels exhausted and unable to concentrate. Pain is often greater in the morning than at other times of day, and depression frequently accompanies the symptoms.

It is estimated that between 7 and 10 million people in the United States alone suffer from fibromyalgia. The condition affects mostly women between the ages of 25 and 50, although men and women of other ages, and even some children, are also affected.

Fibromyalgia is known as a syndrome rather than a disease. A syndrome refers to a fairly consistent pattern of symptoms observed in people with a medical disorder. Fibromyalgia symptoms fluctuate from hour to hour and day to day. This differs from the term disease, which implies that all people with a given disorder have exactly the same problem resulting from the same underlying cause.

Fibromyalgia is frequently misdiagnosed and under recognized, which is why fibromyalgia is often called “The Invisible Disease”. Fibromyalgia sufferers don’t look sick, and as a result, they are often victimized in clinical diagnosis and from family and friends. Many skeptics have debated the existence of fibromyalgia, saying it seems to be rooted more in physiological issues than physical, biological causes. Their reasoning is that there is no clear origin, or effective treatment for patients. This leaves them with self-doubt, guilt and a loss of self-esteem. Many sufferers come into spas and wellness centers having been diagnosed with hypochondria, Alzheimer’s, and psychological problems. These labels invite despair, as the person then feels misunderstood and doubted.