What is Fibromyalgia?

What is fibromyalgia?

That’s a great question and one that if you are learning to live with this painful condition, that I am sure you would like to have answered. Unfortunately, right now, the precise cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. Even though both men and women are known to contend with fibromyalgia, current statistics seem to indicate that women suffer with the condition significantly more than men.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, fibromyalgia, one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles, is considered to be an “arthritis related condition” that does not attack the joints of the body, but rather the soft tissues of the body. Soft tissue rheumatismis a broad group of conditions that include the disorders which cause pain and stiffness around the joints and in the bones and muscles and the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is included in this group.

Even though it impacts the body’s muscles and tissues, it does not cause internal inflammation and so there is no damage to the body’s joints and internal organs. This is one of the key differences between fibromyalgia and many of the well known rheumatic conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, and even systemic lupus.

In those rheumatology conditions, it is the inflammation of the tissue that is the major cause of pain, stiffness and tenderness of the joints, tendons and muscles. It is this inflammation that can lead to joint deformity and damage to the internal organs or muscles. Fortunately, fibromyalgia does not leave similar destruction in its wake.

This condition causes widespread muscle pain, incredible fatigue and can often leave you with difficulty performing the basic activities of daily living. Many suggest that they feel as if their body is aging
at a much faster pace than their chronological age defines.

Fibromyalgia is also understood to be a chronic condition causing pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. Fibromyalgia, formerly known as fibrositis, is also characterized by restless sleep, awakening feeling tired, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and disturbances in bowel function.

What is fibromyalgia? Well, medical literature from the early 1900s were also trying to answer the question and even though it didn’t have a name, they described the condition of fibromyalgia. However, it was only in the early 1980s that the medical community actually began to recognize the condition and work towards developing treatments to aid patients suffering from the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) developed a specific set of criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia which include the hallmark symptoms of a history of widespread pain on both sides of the body, both above and below the waist, which has been present for at least three months as well as pain in at least 11 of 18 “tender point” sites. These “tender points” are sites throughout the body that are painful when they are pressed. Fibromyalgia is thought to be the culprit when these conditions are met.

For patients dealing with Fibromyalgia, tender points can include many places, such as the base of the skull, above and between the shoulder blades, below the elbows, in the lower back, on the hips, and behind the knees. Fibromyalgia tender points typically occur on both sides of the body and are similar to other common muscle and muscle-attachment disorders, like tennis elbow. These areas can be quite tender to touch and can leave the patient with a generalized soreness that is often described as feeling like the worse case of the flu ever… ok, now that’s a flu I don’t want to get!

Some researchers believe that they have determined what is fibromyalgia by discovering a genetic component. It seems that some who are diagnosed with this condition genetically react much more to
things that others would not find bothersome or painful at all.

What is fibromyalgia? It is a complex condition that has many in its grip. Learning to live with it can certainly be a challenge, but once you understand the definition of fibromyalgia, you have a better chance and successfully learning the skills needed to actively regain control of your health.