Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia isn't all that common. In the United States, it only affects about 5 million people, the majority of whom are women. More specifically, more than 80 percent of fibromyalgia cases are diagnosed in females. The disorder is also more common in... Full Answer

The diagnostic exam in which the doctor palpates the eighteen tender points characteristic of FM relies solely on the patient’s report of pain when pressed in these areas. Generally, the American College of Rheumatology criteria of 1990 states... Full Answer

There is plenty of evidence proving fibromyalgia is a biological disorder.  Newer research is playing a pivotal role in defining fibromyalgia as a neuroimmune disorder. While having chronic body-wide pain, disordered sleep, and cognitive... Full Answer

The 18 tender points or trigger points used to diagnose fibromyalgia are scattered all over the body. Tender points are found on the neck, shoulder blades, lower back, elbows, buttocks, knees, and other areas. These tender points are quite small, but a... Full Answer

The support you receive during a fibromyalgia clinical trial depends upon the way it is constructed, the type of data collection and so forth. When deciding whether or not to be involved, be sure to look at all of the elements, restrictions, your time,... Full Answer

Fibromyalgia is not considered a degenerative disease.  However, there is a higher incidence of fibromyalgia with disorders associated with aging, such as arthritic and certain autoimmune disorders. It is possible that fibromyalgia... Full Answer

In Westernized cultures, menopause is generally expected to occur around age 51. Although doctors don't know why, studies consistently show that menopause tends to occur nearly 10 years earlier than average in women with fibromyalgia -- around... Full Answer

When fibromyalgia starts before menopause, it generally continues after it. The decade between the ages of 55 and 65 has the highest percentage of affected women. So, unlike other painful conditions (such as migraine) that often lessen with... Full Answer

Check with your doctor if you have widespread muscle pain, achiness, poor sleep, fatigue, depression, and an inability to concentrate (fibro fog). Still, a fibromyalgia diagnosis is not an easy one to make. You may look like a million bucks,... Full Answer

Fibromyalgia is not considered a terminal illness.  However, there is a higher incidence of FM with disorders associated with aging, such as arthritic  and autoimmune disorders. Because of this it is possible that FM symptoms may worsen over... Full Answer