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 considered 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 is not a true type of arthritis. After osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia is the second most common condition seen by rheumatologists. Like arthritis, fibromyalgia is classified as a rheumatic condition because it affects joints and soft tissues and causes chronic pain. By learning more about this often-misunderstood condition, healthcare providers can provide education and support to people with fibromyalgia.