What are the symptoms of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia ( FM) is a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened pain response to pressure. Other symptoms include tiredness to a degree that normal activities are affected, sleep problems, and cognitive dysfunctions.

What is the history of fibromyalgia?

Chronic widespread pain had already been described in the literature in the 19th century but the term fibromyalgia was not used until 1976 when Dr P.K. Hench used it to describe these symptoms.

Is fibromyalgia a unique clinical entity?

The validity of fibromyalgia as a unique clinical entity is a matter of contention because “no discrete boundary separates syndromes such as FMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, or chronic muscular headaches”.

What is the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia (FM)?

Autonomic nervous system abnormalities have been observed in fibromyalgia, including decreased vasoconstriction response, increased drop in blood pressure, and worsening of symptoms in response to tilt table test, and decreased heart rate variability. Heart rate variabilities observed were different in males and females.

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include: Widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.

What is abnormal pain perception processing in fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gi·a) is a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called abnormal pain perception processing.

What is fibromyalgia and how can it be treated?

What is fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gi·a) is a condition that causes pain all over the body (also referred to as widespread pain), sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called abnormal pain perception processing.

What are the tender points of fibromyalgia?

Doctors diagnose fibromyalgia by 18 tender points on the body. These are symmetrical points located both above and below the waist. Some fibromyalgia sufferers may experience increased tenderness in these areas when a flare-up is imminent. Others may feel these fibromyalgia tender points nearly all of the time.