Fibromyalgia is a syndrome which is hard to diagnose and somewhat hard to explain because symptoms can be so variable. Fibromyalgia symptoms primarily include chronic widespread muscular pain, tenderness, and fatigue. Long ago, the disease was called fibrositis, but that was a misnomer because it implied there was inflammation. There is no inflammation associated with the pain and stiffness of the muscles, tendons, and joints seen with fibromyalgia. It is also important to note that fibromyalgia does not affect or damage internal organs.

In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology defined criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia, which until then wasn't understood very well. The criteria included:

• A history of widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for three months or longer

• Pain in eleven of eighteen tender points

Fibromyalgia has also been associated with a heightened sensitivity to pain, migratory pain, chronic regional pain, and abnormal central nervous-system function according to some researchers. Other symptoms that are often associated with fibromyalgia include:

• Headaches

• Sleep disturbances

• Irritable bowel or bladder

• Cognitive difficulties (sometimes called fibro fog)

• Jaw pain

• Pelvic pain

• Restless leg syndrome

• Hearing, vision, and balance problems

• Heat and cold sensitivities

• Chemical sensitivities or allergies

• Mitral valve prolapse

• Neurological problems

• Depression or anxiety

Diagnosing and Treating Fibromyalgia

The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, though there are more and more clues coming from fibromyalgia research. Diagnosis is difficult and is based essentially on symptoms. There are no x-rays, blood tests, or other diagnostic tests available that confirm fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is treated using medication and nonpharmacologic therapies. Medications are chosen based on their ability to relieve symptoms. There is no medication that cures fibromyalgia. Analgesic medications, sleep medications, and antidepressants are often employed to treat fibromyalgia. Guaifenesin, a common cough-syrup ingredient, has been shown to help with fibromyalgia symptoms. Most recently, antiepileptic drugs Neurontin (gabapentin) and Lyrica (pregabalin) have been deemed promising as a treatment for fibromyalgia.

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia

Of people with fibromyalgia, more than 80 percent are women. Most commonly, fibromyalgia strikes between thirty-five and fifty-five years of age. Though men, children, and older persons can also develop fibromyalgia, it is not common in those groups.

Like other rheumatic conditions, fibromyalgia can occur as a primary disease or as a secondary condition along with another rheumatic condition. It has been estimated that fibromyalgia affects between 2 and 4 percent of the population. The CDC estimates that 3.7 million adults in the United States have fibromyalgia.