What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition commonly referred to as chronic pain. Symptoms include both general and localized pain as well as muscle fatigue, joint swelling, fatigue, unrecuperative sleep, weight gain, depression, and Fibrofog. The exact health issues vary from person to person as do the duration, intensity, and frequency of Fibromyalgia flare ups or bouts.

It is estimated that 3-8 million people in the United States and possibly 5% of the world population suffer with Fibromyalgia. Statistics state that 80-90% of sufferers are female. Fibromyalgia is not fatal but can be debilitating.

At this point in time, there is no specific test for Fibromyalgia. Often diagnosis takes years while other diseases and conditions (physical and psychological) are ruled out. Essentially, the lack of other evidence to the contrary and tenderness in the majority of trigger points located within 18 different muscle groups are the chief method of diagnosis.

Although there are many theories, there is no known cause or cure for Fibromyalgia. Conventional medical treatments tend to focus on masking symptoms such as depression, pain, sleep problems and joint swelling. In this way, Fibromyalgia sufferers often have take a cocktail of prescriptions to help ease suffering.