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Return To Fibromyalgia Article Archive   What is Fibromyalgia By Leela Fraser What Is The Definition of Fibromyalgia? What is Fibromyalgia (fi-bro-my-AL-ja) Syndrome? Fibromyalgia Syndrome patients hurt all over with pain around particular tender points, and frequently feel extremely fatigued. Fibromyalgia Syndrome patients feel as if their muscles have been pulled or overworked. Sometimes the muscles twitch, and at other times they burn. Even after numerous tests, the physician is frequently unable to specifically find something wrong with the patient. When family or friends ask you, 'What is this fibromyalgia syndrome?', have them think back to the last time they had a bad flu. Every muscle in the body screamed out in pain, they felt depleted of energy, as though someone had unplugged their power supply. While the severity of symptoms fluctuate from person to person, Fibromyalgia syndrome may resemble a post-viral state. What is the unique Definition of Fibromyalgia Characteristics? According to the definition of Fibromyalgia, the disease is characterized by chronic pain, fatigue and widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons; with distinct tender points. Other symptoms include stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, and sleep disturbances (a constant interruption of the deep delta sleep needed to rest and restore the body). Fibromyalgia information determines that sleep disturbance is a very common ailment of FMS patients. Fibromyalgia Syndrome is not fully understood, however, it is commonly associated with physical and emotional stress, inadequate sleep, an injury, exposure to dampness or cold, certain infections, and occasionally Rheumatoid Arthritis or related disorders. Many years ago this condition was known as Fibrositis, Chronic Muscle Pain Syndrome, Psychogenic Rheumatism, and Tension Myalgia. In 1990, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) identified a specific criteria for this disease. The ACR classifies a patient with FMS if at least 11 of 18 specific tender points of the body are painful under pressure. The most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, pelvic girdle, and hands; but any body part can be involved. The patient must also have had widespread, tender point pain lasting at least 3 months. Patients, however, may experience a range of symptoms of varying intensities that keep changing over time. Although the intensity of symptoms may vary, they may never disappear completely. It may be reassuring to know, however, FMS is not progressive, crippling, or life-threatening. FM Syndrome - Fibromyalgia Information, Facts, And Statistics FM Syndrome patients make up as much as 4% of the entire population. According to the National Foundation for FMS, as many as 12 million Americans suffer from this disease but remain undiagnosed because of its elusive nature. It is most common in women between the ages of 20 - 50, although it also affects men, the elderly, and children. In children, the disease is often mistakenly diagnosed with growing pains or behavioral problems. FM Syndrome is frequently mistaken for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome since the symptoms of the two diseases are so similar, however FMS affects more individuals than Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - CFS. 10 to 12 million Americans suffer from FMS - 90% of them are women in the prime of their life. Patients suffering from FMS sometimes struggle for years before being correctly diagnosed. Women are affected much more than men in an approximate ratio of 20:1. This condition is seen in all age groups, from young children through old age. In most patients, the problem begins between 20 - 30 years of age. This debilitating disease occurs world-wide and has no specific ethnic predisposition. Symptoms usually appear between 20 - 55 years of age, but children are also diagnosed with FM syndrome. Pain and severe fatigue may keep FM sufferers from their chosen profession, unable to perform common daily tasks. Chronic pain usually continues throughout a patients life span. For more info visit: http://www.back-fibromyalgia-pain.com About the Author: Leela Fraser is the conributing Editor to: http://www.back-fibromyalgia-pain.com Acupuncture For Fibromyalgia

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