Fibromyalgia: Myth or Malady?

Course overview

The term fibromyalgia literally means chronic pain in the fibrous connective tissues and muscles of the body. However, because the disorders painful symptoms often move around the body, are difficult to quantify, and are associated with other problems, the condition is more commonly referred to as fibromyalgia syndrome. The syndrome is characterized by widespread sensations of pain and tenderness, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, abnormal sensations (dysesthesias) and heightened feelings of pain in response to natural stimuli, such as temperature changes or pressures that do not normally cause pain (thermal and mechanical allodynia). In addition to widespread pain throughout the body and fatigue, patients with fibromyalgia syndrome also may experience peripheral tingling and numbness in the hands and feet, morning stiffness, headaches, mood swings, problems with memory, bowel irritability, and other pain syndromes.