General Information Question:What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, also referred to as fibrositis is a syndrome consisting of chronic musculoskeletal (muscle and bone) pain, that is widespread and can affect any site in the body. Typically, there are no laboratory test abnormalities, and muscle biopsies are normal. On examination by a health care provider, patients with fibromyalgia can have areas of particularly intense tenderness or pain, known as trigger points or tender points. These include the upper neck, shoulders, chest muscles, elbow, knee, upper buttocks, and hips. The cause of this disorder is not known, but theories include chronic viral infection, sleep disturbances, and abnormalities in muscle metabolism. Ninety percent of patients with fibromyalgia are women, and most experience initial symptoms between the ages of 25 to 45. Symptoms include stiff aching muscles, which occur frequently but wax and wane (have period of severe symptoms alternating with periods of little to no symptoms). Symptoms can be aggravated by physical
