Understanding Fibromyalgia
(Compiled by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases)

What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal
pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. "Tender points" refers to tenderness
that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine,
shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep
disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other
symptoms.

How Many People Have Fibromyalgia?
According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6
million Americans. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but
children, the elderly, and men can also be affected.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories
about causes or triggers of the disorder. Some scientists believe that the
syndrome may be caused by an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the
central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle
metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased
strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent
such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.

How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those
of other disorders. The physician reviews the patient's medical history and
makes a diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on a history of chronic widespread pain
that persists for more than 3 months. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
has developed criteria for fibromyalgia that physicians can use in diagnosing
the disorder. According to ACR criteria, a person is considered to have
fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain in combination with tenderness in
at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites.

How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician,
physical therapist, and patient may all play an active role in the management of
fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and
walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness. Heat
and massage may also give short-term relief. Antidepressant medications may help
elevate mood, improve quality of sleep, and relax muscles. Patients with
fibromyalgia may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication, physical
therapy, and relaxation.

FIBROMYALGIA Key Words

Analgesic: A medication or treatment that relieves pain.
Arthritis: Literally means joint inflammation, but is often used to indicate a
group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the
joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important
supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the
protective covering of internal organs.
Autoimmune disease: One in which the immune system destroys or attacks the
patient's own body tissue.
Cartilage: A tough, resilient tissue that covers and cushions the ends of the
bones and absorbs shock.
Chronic disease: An illness that lasts for a long time.
Collagen: The main structural protein of skin, tendon, bone cartilage, and
connective tissues.
Connective tissue: The supporting framework of the body and its internal organs.
Fibromyalgia: Sometimes called fibrositis, a chronic disorder that causes pain
and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints.
Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles, particularly those that
support the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. The disorder includes widespread
pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Fibrous capsule: A tough wrapping of tendons and ligaments that surrounds the
joint.
Flare: A period in which disease symptoms reappear or become worse.Genetic
marker: A specific tissue type or gene, similar to a blood type, that is passed
on from parents to their children. Some genetic markers are linked to certain
rheumatic diseases.
Immune response:The reaction of the immune system against foreign substances.
When this reaction occurs against substances or tissues within the body, it is
called an autoimmune reaction.
Immune system: A complex system that normally protects the body from infections.
It combines groups of cells, the chemicals that control them, and the chemicals
they release.
Inflammation: A characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is
marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.
Joint: A junction where two bones meet. Most joints are composed of cartilage,
joint space, fibrous capsule, synovium, and ligaments.
Joint space: The volume enclosed within the fibrous capsule and synovium.
Ligaments: Bands of cordlike tissue that connect bone to bone. Muscle: A
structure composed of bundles of specialized cells that, when stimulated by
nerve impulses, contract and produce movement.
Myopathies: Inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases of muscle.
Myositis: Inflammation of a muscle.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):A group of drugs, such as aspirin
and aspirin-like drugs, used to reduce inflammation that causes joint pain,
stiffness, and swelling.
Raynaud's phenomenon: A circulatory condition associated with spasms in the
blood vessels of the fingers and toes causing them to change color. After
exposure to cold, these areas turn white, then blue, and finally red.
Remission: A period during which symptoms of disease are reduced (partial
remission) or disappear (complete remission).
Sicca syndrome: A condition manifested by dry eyes and dry mouth.
Sleep disorder: One in which a person has difficulty achieving restful,
restorative sleep. In addition to other symptoms, patients with fibromyalgia
usually have a sleep disorder.
Synovium: A tissue that surrounds and protects the joints. It produces synovial
fluid that nourishes and lubricates the joints.
Tender points: Specific locations on the body that are painful, especially when
pressed.
Tendons: Fibrous cords that connect muscle to bone.
Vasculitis: Inflammation in the blood vessels. It may occur throughout the body.

National Institutes of Health



(Compiled by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases)

What Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal
pain, fatigue, and multiple tender points. "Tender points" refers to tenderness
that occurs in precise, localized areas, particularly in the neck, spine,
shoulders, and hips. People with this syndrome may also experience sleep
disturbances, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety, and other
symptoms.

How Many People Have Fibromyalgia?
According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia affects 3 to 6
million Americans. It primarily occurs in women of childbearing age, but
children, the elderly, and men can also be affected.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, researchers have several theories
about causes or triggers of the disorder. Some scientists believe that the
syndrome may be caused by an injury or trauma. This injury may affect the
central nervous system. Fibromyalgia may be associated with changes in muscle
metabolism, such as decreased blood flow, causing fatigue and decreased
strength. Others believe the syndrome may be triggered by an infectious agent
such as a virus in susceptible people, but no such agent has been identified.

How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Fibromyalgia is difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms mimic those
of other disorders. The physician reviews the patient's medical history and
makes a diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on a history of chronic widespread pain
that persists for more than 3 months. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR)
has developed criteria for fibromyalgia that physicians can use in diagnosing
the disorder. According to ACR criteria, a person is considered to have
fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain in combination with tenderness in
at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites.

How Is Fibromyalgia Treated?
Treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. The physician,
physical therapist, and patient may all play an active role in the management of
fibromyalgia. Studies have shown that aerobic exercise, such as swimming and
walking, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness. Heat
and massage may also give short-term relief. Antidepressant medications may help
elevate mood, improve quality of sleep, and relax muscles. Patients with
fibromyalgia may benefit from a combination of exercise, medication, physical
therapy, and relaxation.

FIBROMYALGIA Key Words

Analgesic: A medication or treatment that relieves pain.
Arthritis: Literally means joint inflammation, but is often used to indicate a
group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases. These diseases affect not only the
joints but also other connective tissues of the body, including important
supporting structures such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as the
protective covering of internal organs.
Autoimmune disease: One in which the immune system destroys or attacks the
patient's own body tissue.
Cartilage: A tough, resilient tissue that covers and cushions the ends of the
bones and absorbs shock.
Chronic disease: An illness that lasts for a long time.
Collagen: The main structural protein of skin, tendon, bone cartilage, and
connective tissues.
Connective tissue: The supporting framework of the body and its internal organs.
Fibromyalgia: Sometimes called fibrositis, a chronic disorder that causes pain
and stiffness throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints.
Pain and localized tender points occur in the muscles, particularly those that
support the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. The disorder includes widespread
pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances.
Fibrous capsule: A tough wrapping of tendons and ligaments that surrounds the
joint.
Flare: A period in which disease symptoms reappear or become worse.Genetic
marker: A specific tissue type or gene, similar to a blood type, that is passed
on from parents to their children. Some genetic markers are linked to certain
rheumatic diseases.
Immune response:The reaction of the immune system against foreign substances.
When this reaction occurs against substances or tissues within the body, it is
called an autoimmune reaction.
Immune system: A complex system that normally protects the body from infections.
It combines groups of cells, the chemicals that control them, and the chemicals
they release.
Inflammation: A characteristic reaction of tissues to injury or disease. It is
marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain.
Joint: A junction where two bones meet. Most joints are composed of cartilage,
joint space, fibrous capsule, synovium, and ligaments.
Joint space: The volume enclosed within the fibrous capsule and synovium.
Ligaments: Bands of cordlike tissue that connect bone to bone. Muscle: A
structure composed of bundles of specialized cells that, when stimulated by
nerve impulses, contract and produce movement.
Myopathies: Inflammatory and noninflammatory diseases of muscle.
Myositis: Inflammation of a muscle.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):A group of drugs, such as aspirin
and aspirin-like drugs, used to reduce inflammation that causes joint pain,
stiffness, and swelling.
Raynaud's phenomenon: A circulatory condition associated with spasms in the
blood vessels of the fingers and toes causing them to change color. After
exposure to cold, these areas turn white, then blue, and finally red.
Remission: A period during which symptoms of disease are reduced (partial
remission) or disappear (complete remission).
Sicca syndrome: A condition manifested by dry eyes and dry mouth.
Sleep disorder: One in which a person has difficulty achieving restful,
restorative sleep. In addition to other symptoms, patients with fibromyalgia
usually have a sleep disorder.
Synovium: A tissue that surrounds and protects the joints. It produces synovial
fluid that nourishes and lubricates the joints.
Tender points: Specific locations on the body that are painful, especially when
pressed.
Tendons: Fibrous cords that connect muscle to bone.
Vasculitis: Inflammation in the blood vessels. It may occur throughout the body.

National Institutes of Health






Sandra Tara Balduf (Ane)

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