FIBROMYALGIA: LOOKING GOOD AND FEELING AWFUL

Course overview

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially debilitating disorder that causes musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances. Fibromyalgia is called a syndrome because it is a collection of health problems that occur together, but are not related to a specific cause. Fibromyalgia is similar to arthritis, but it¿s not a true type of arthritis. However, after osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia is the second most common condition seen by rheumatologists, and like arthritis, fibromyalgia is classified as a rheumatic condition because it affects joints and soft tissues and causes chronic pain. Since 1990, the American College of Rheumatology has recognized fibromyalgia as a chronic painful noninflammatory condition that affects muscles. About 5 million people in the U.S., ages 18 years and older, have fibromyalgia. While it can affect people of all ages and any ethnic group, 90% of those with fibromyalgia are women.