What Is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia (also known as Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)) is a long term health condition that causes all over widespread pain throughout the body. Although FM is not a life threatening condition, it is often a life changing condition for many people that suffer from it.

The word Fibromyalgia, is derived Latin ^[1] –

   Fibro – Fibrous Tissues. 
   My – Muscles.
   Algia – Pain.

Although, the name is currently suggests that the pain that the patient experiences is musculoskeletal pain the actual cause of Fibromyalgia is still currently unknown, however there seems to be some evidence that the condition has a genetic predisposition.^[2]

The main symptom that is reported by those with Fibromyalgia is ‘Widespread Pain’, other bothersome symptoms include –

• Increased sensitivity to pain.
• Fatigue (extreme tiredness).
• Muscle stiffness.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog") – such as problems with memory and concentration.
• Headaches.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) – a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating. ^[3]

The condition is thought to be a common, however, underdiagnosed with the estimate prevalence in the UK of 2%. ^[4] However, women are 10 times more commonly affected by this condition than men, ^[2] with the main age group for diagnosis being between 20-50 years of age.

Just as recently as July 2021, a new breakthrough study completed by Doctor Andreas Goebel at the University of Liverpool in the UK, have shown that Fibromyalgia may actually be a disease of the immune system, which will transform how the condition is currently treated and viewed. ^[5]

Further Reading and References

[1] Dr Ananya Mandal, MD (Feb, 2016) What is Fibromyalgia?

[2] Dr Laurence Knott (July, 2021) Fibromyalgia

[3] NHS (Oct, 2022) Fibromyalgia

[4] FMA UK (Feb 2011) Fibromyalgia Facts

[5] University of Liverpool (2021) Unlocking the mystery of fibromyalgia