Definition |
Causes |
Risk Factors |
Symptoms |
Diagnosis |
Treatment |
Prevention
Definition
Fibromyalgia is a complex, chronic, and disabling disorder. It causes widespread pain and stiffness in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It also causes poor sleep and fatigue.
Causes
The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unknown.
The following conditions are commonly associated with fibromyalgia:
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting fibromyalgia.
Risk factors include:
- Sex: female
- Age: 20-60 years old
- Physical or mental stress
-
Physical
trauma
(eg, accident, injury, or severe illness)
Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Generalized fatigue or tiredness
- Reduced physical endurance
- Generalized aches and pains of muscles, tendons, and ligaments
- Muscle tightening or spasms
-
Pain in specific areas of the body, especially:
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Chest
- Back (upper and lower)
- Hips and thighs
-
Insomnia
or poor sleep
- Sensations of numbness or swelling (although swelling is not actually present)
-
Chronic headaches, including
migraines
- Morning stiffness
Factors that may trigger or worsen symptoms include:
- Weather changes, especially cold, damp weather
-
Stress or
anxiety
- Overexertion
- Medical illness
- Surgery
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. There are no specific tests for fibromyalgia.
The doctor will look for the following signs:
- Widespread pain lasting three months or longer
- Tenderness (on physical exam) in at least 11 of 18 specific areas of the body
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve or control the symptoms. Treatments include:
Your doctor may also recommend that you make lifestyle changes, such as:
-
Eating a healthy diet
-
Learning to cope
with physical and mental stress
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
- Participating in a regular exercise program that includes aerobic activity, strength training, and flexibility exercises. Gentle exercises that may not strain painful areas include walking, biking, and swimming.
Talk to your doctor to make sure it is safe for you to start exercising.
These medicines may help to improve symptoms:
-
Antidepressants (eg,
amitriptyline
,
fluoxetine
,
duloxetine
,
milnacipran
,
moclobemide
)
-
Medicines to relieve pain (eg,
acetaminophen
,
pramipexole
,
pregabalin
,
tramadol
)
- Sodium oxybate
(eg, Xyrem), a central nervous system depressant
Prevention
Because the cause is unknown, there are no guidelines to prevent fibromyalgia.
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2/17/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
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Arthritis Rheum.
2009;60:299-309.
4/14/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Munguía-Izquierdo D, Legaz-Arrese A. Assessment of the effects of aquatic therapy on global symptomatology in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Arch
Phys Med Rehabil.
2008;89:2250-2257.
4/22/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/: Sañudo B, Galiano D, Carrasco L, Blagojevic M, de Hoyo M, Saxton J. Aerobic exercise versus combined exercise therapy in women with fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
2010;91(12):1838-1843.
4/22/2011 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/: Carson JW, Carson KM, Jones KD, Bennett RM, Wright CL, Mist SD. A pilot randomized controlled trial of the Yoga of Awareness program in the management of fibromyalgia. Pain.
2010;151(2):530-539.
Last reviewed September 2012 by
Rimas Lukas, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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