Fibromyalgia: What it is, How it's Diagnosed and How to Cope - by Lee Dobbins

Fibromyalgia: What it is, How it's Diagnosed and How to Cope - by Lee Dobbins: "Fibromyalgia syndrome or FMS is a disorder affecting the musculoskeletal functions of the body and affects the soft, fibrous tissues - the ligaments, tendons and the muscles. It comes from the Latin word 'fibro' referring to fibrous tissue and the Greek words 'myo' for muscle and 'algia' for pain.

This chronic disorder is quite common and is often mistaken as a condition related to arthritis. But unlike arthritis, fibromyalgia does not cause joint or tissue inflammation. However, like arthritis, it is a rheumatic condition and causes a lot of pain and feelings of fatigue.

Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome and not a disease. Meaning, it is a disorder characterized by several symptoms, including pain, fatigue, joint dysfunction, chronic headaches, IBS or irritable bowel syndrome and even sleep disorder.

While some of these disorders may be experienced, they don't necessarily mean a person has fibromyalgia. Pain, for example, must be widespread and felt in the four quadrants of the body for at least three months before the possibility of fibromyalgia is considered.

Other symptoms and associated syndromes that may be felt by a person with fibromyalgia are:"