What is Fibromyalgia?

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a common chronic pain disorder that causes widespread pain, tenderness and stiffness in ...more »

• Fibromyalgia: A difficult to diagnose condition affecting the muscles and/or joints.
• Fibromyalgia: inflammation of white fibrous tissues (especially muscle sheaths).
  Source - WordNet 2.1

Ophanet, a consortium of European partners, currently defines a condition rare when it affects 1 person per 2,000. They list Fibromyalgia as a "rare disease".
Source - Orphanet

Fibromyalgia: Introduction

Types of Fibromyalgia:

Broader types of Fibromyalgia:

• Rheumatic conditions
• Myofascial pain syndromes
• Chronic Pain Syndromes
• Pain conditions
• Fatigue conditions
• Neuromuscular conditions
• Muscle conditions
• Nervous system conditions
• Musculoskeletal conditions
• more types...»

How many people get Fibromyalgia?

Prevalance of Fibromyalgia: 3.7 million Americans (NIAMS)
Prevalance Rate of Fibromyalgia: approx 1 in 73 or 1.36% or 3.7 million people in USA [about data]
Prevalance of Fibromyalgia: Available data suggest that the number of persons aged 18 and older in the United States with fibromyalgia is approximately 3.7 million. (Source: excerpt from Fibromyalgia Research Challenges and Opportunities: NIAMS) ... According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6 million Americans. (Source: excerpt from Fibromyalgia: NWHIC)

Who gets Fibromyalgia?

Patient Profile for Fibromyalgia: Usually adults over 30

Profile for Fibromyalgia: It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men may also be affected. (Source: excerpt from Fibromyalgia Research Challenges and Opportunities: NIAMS) ... It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but children, the elderly, and men can also be affected. (Source: excerpt from Fibromyalgia: NWHIC)

Gender Profile for Fibromyalgia: More common in women (90% are women).

How serious is Fibromyalgia?

Complications of Fibromyalgia: see complications of Fibromyalgia

What causes Fibromyalgia?

Causes of Fibromyalgia: see causes of Fibromyalgia
Causes of Fibromyalgia: Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories about what triggers the disease. Some scientists believe that the syndrome may result from an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified. (Source: excerpt from Fibromyalgia Research Challenges and Opportunities: NIAMS)
Risk factors for Fibromyalgia: see risk factors for Fibromyalgia

What are the symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia: see symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Complications of Fibromyalgia: see complications of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia: Testing

Diagnostic testing: see tests for Fibromyalgia.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and Fibromyalgia.

How is it treated?

Doctors and Medical Specialists for Fibromyalgia: General practitioner, Primary care physician, Infectious disease specialist, Orthopaedic surgeon, Physiotherapist, Neurologist, Cardiologist, Gastroenterologist, Ophthalmologist, Urologist, Nephrologist, Rheumatologist, Vascular surgeon, Endocrinologist, Psychiatrist ; see also doctors and medical specialists for Fibromyalgia.
Treatments for Fibromyalgia: see treatments for Fibromyalgia
Alternative treatments for Fibromyalgia: see alternative treatments for Fibromyalgia
Research for Fibromyalgia: see research for Fibromyalgia

Organs Affected by Fibromyalgia:

Organs and body systems related to Fibromyalgia include:

• Joints
• Muscles

Name and Aliases of Fibromyalgia

Main name of condition: Fibromyalgia

fibrositis, muscular rheumatism

Fibromyalgia: Related Conditions

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Fibromyalgia:

• Myofascial pain
• fibromyalgia symptoms
• Fibromyalgia pain
• treatment fibromyalgia
• symptoms of fibromyalgia
• Fibromyalgia syndrome
• Chronic fibromyalgia
• Fibromyalgia fatigue
• Interstitial myofibrositis
• Muscular hardening
• Muscular rheumatism
• Musculorheumatism
• Myofibrositis
• Myogelosis
• Myositism

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