Health

Synonyms
muscular rheumatism, fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism, tension myalgias, tension myositis syndrome, chronic widespread pain

History
In 1987, a physician named Don Goldenberg, published a paper in the Journal of the American Medical Association and called the syndrome fibromyalgia. It was first recognized as an illness and a cause of disability in 1987 by the American Medical Association.

Overview
Fibromyalgia is a chronic painful condition primarily producing symptoms in the musculoskeletal system. This condition is characterized by widespread muscle aches and pain, significant fatigue, and sleep disturbance. This pain syndrome (collection of signs and symptoms) is difficult to diagnose since many of the symptoms are very non-specific or vague. People with fibromyalgia hurt all over but common painful sites include the neck, back, shoulders, hips, knees, and hands. The symptoms can wax and wane over time and severity of symptoms vary from person to person.

Statistics
Fibromyalgia affects about 2-6% of the US general population according to the American College of Rheumatology. It occurs in 1 in 50 persons. This means 7-10 million Americans are living with fibromyalgia. Females are affected 7-9 times more commonly than men. Fibromyalgia can be found in all age groups and occurs even in children. It affects people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

Risk Factors
Age: Fibromyalgia is commonly diagnosed between ages 20-50.
Sex: Women are affected much more commonly than men.
Disturbed sleep pattern: It is unclear if this is the cause or just a symptom of fibromyalgia.
Family history: If you have a family member with fibromyalgia, you may be at higher risk to have condition.
Rheumatic disease: Persons diagnosed with other rheumatic illnesses like lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia.

Other conditions that may resemble fibromyalgia
1. Chronic fatigue syndrome
2. Gulf War syndrome
3. Post-polio syndrome
4. Polymyalgia rheumatica
5. Lyme disease
6. Hypothyroidism
7. Hyperthyroidism
8. Parathyroidism
9. Polymyositis
10. Neuropathies
11. System lupus erythematosus (SLE)
12. Multiple sclerosis
13. Rheumatoid arthritis
14. Paget’s disease
15. Vitamin B12 deficiency
16. Vitamin D deficiency
17. Hypercalcemia
18. Major depression