What is "fibremyalgia?" Heck, I'm not even sure of the spelling, but that's it phonetically, anyway. Thanks.

That's okay if you're not sure how to spell it — medical professionals aren't even completely sure about what causes fibromyalgia. By the way, you were close with the spelling!

Generally speaking, fibromyalgia, formerly thought of as a made-up, imaginary, or psychosomatic condition, is in fact a chronic illness more often diagnosed in women in their mid-thirties to late-fifties, although it also affects men and children. The American College of Rheumatology estimates that the condition affects between three to six million Americans, of which 80 to 90 percent are women.

Fibromyalgia causes fatigue, pain in the muscles and ligaments (not the joints), and a number of tender spots on the body, where even a small bit of pressure causes pain. This pain is commonly seen in the neck, upper and lower back, hips, elbows, and knees. Beyond these symptoms, fibromyalgia shows itself in a number of other ways, which may include:

• stiffness, especially in the morning
• problems sleeping
• increased sensitivity to pain
• headaches, including migraines
• facial pain
• irritable bowel syndrome
• chest pain
• painful menstrual periods
• skin numbness (paresthesias)
• allergic symptoms
• frequent and/or urgent urination
• problems with concentrating and/or memory (commonly referred to as "fibro fog")
• depression
• anxiety

While this list of symptoms may seem overwhelming, fibromyalgia does not worsen with time. In fact, often people improve over time.

The exact cause(s) of fibromyalgia is unknown, but researchers believe a number of factors contribute to the illness. Currently, one leading theory involves chemical changes in the brain resulting in low levels of serotonin, a chemical (neurotransmitter) linked to pain, sleep, and depression. Other possible causes or triggers include lack of deep sleep, injury/trauma that affects the central nervous system, certain infections, problems with the sympathetic nervous system, changes in muscle metabolism, hormonal changes, and/or physical or psychological stress.

If you have been diagnosed with or believe that you have fibromyalgia, seek treatment from a health care provider familiar with fibromyalgia. Your primary care provider can probably help you find someone in your area.

For more information, visit the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) site on fibromyalgia.

Alice

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