PainCare - Pain Management in New Hampshire

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened, painful response to pressure. Fibromyalgia symptoms are not restricted to pain, leading to the use of the alternative term, "fibromyalgia syndrome," for the condition. Other symptoms include debilitating fatigue, sleep disturbance, and joint stiffness. Some patients may also report difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, and cognitive dysfunction. Fibromyalgia is frequently experienced simultaneously with psychiatric conditions, such as depression, and anxiety and stress-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Not all people with fibromyalgia experience all associated symptoms. Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect 2–4% of the population, with a female-to-male incidence ratio of approximately 9:1. It is most commonly diagnosed in individuals between the ages of 20 and 50, although onset can occur in childhood.