{"id":12978,"date":"2022-01-01T00:00:54","date_gmt":"2022-01-01T05:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fibrocanada.ca\/?p=12978"},"modified":"2025-11-11T08:30:48","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T13:30:48","slug":"what-is-fibromyalgia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fibrocanada.ca\/en\/what-is-fibromyalgia","title":{"rendered":"What is Fibromyalgia?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fibromyalgia (FM)<\/strong> is a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain - sometimes severe and often debilitating - and a heightened pain response to pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that affects the centre nervous system causing pain throughout the body. It is often accompanied by fatigue, depression and sleep problems. It affects mostly women and their multiple symptoms often go years without a proper diagnosis and treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"One million Canadians have fibromyalgia and the time has come to take their suffering seriously. This is a real condition that greatly impacts patients and their families. Finally, there are national guidelines to help diagnose and treat this syndrome.\"
Dr. John Pereira, a study co-author from the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine and a physician at the Calgary Chronic Pain Centre (2012)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The term \"fibromyalgia\" is from New Latin fibro-<\/em>, meaning \"fibrous tissues\", Greek myo-<\/em>, \"muscles\", and Greek algos<\/em>, \"pain\"; thus the term literally means \"muscle and fibrous tissue pain\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other symptoms include tiredness to a degree that normal activities are affected; sleep problems and troubles with memory. Some people also report restless legs syndrome, bowel or bladder problems, numbness and tingling and sensitivity to noise, lights or temperature. Fibromyalgia is frequently associated with depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Other types of chronic pain are also frequently present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cause or causes of the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia has not been proven, therefore, is unknown; however, it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors, with each playing a substantial role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It may be that the condition runs in families and many genes are believed to be involved. Environmental factors may include psychological stress, trauma and certain infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain appears to result from processes in the central nervous system and the condition is referred to as a \"central sensitization syndrome\".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no specific diagnosis test. Diagnosis involves first ruling out other potential causes and verifying that a set number of symptoms are present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are very few physicians practicing that specialize in these conditions - leaving many people feeling unsupported and isolated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The treatment of fibromyalgia can be difficult. Recommendations often include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medications duloxetine (Cymbalta), milnacipran (Savella - not approved in Canada) or pregabalin (Lyrica) may be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While fibromyalgia can last a long time, it does not result in death or tissue damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2-8% of the population. Women are affected about twice as often as men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fibromyalgia was first defined in 1990, with updated criteria in 2011. There is controversy about the classification, diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia. While some feel the diagnosis of fibromyalgia may negatively affect a person, other research finds it beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n