What is Fibromyalgia

Running Head : FIBROMYALGIA What is Fibromyalgia

Michelle Odeh

Union University

Abstract

Fibromyalgia is most commonly viewed as a disease when in fact it is a syndrome that affects between three to six percent of the world population . It is most commonly diagnosed in women . The effects thereof range from physical , social and psychological difficulties for the individual suffering from it . Research suggests Fibromyalgia 's etiology is multifactoral in nature instead of singular nature

Fibromyalgia - What is it

I . Introduction

Fibromyalgia is one of the common muscle diss

which affect the proper functioning of the muscles and the joints . It causes widespread pain in the muscles , multiple tender points as well as fatigue

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [NIAMS] , fibromyalgia is not considered a disease but a syndrome . A disease as the NIAMS identified is a medical condition which has recognizable signs and symptoms and has a known cause . A syndrome on the other hand is a medical condition wherein there are no identifiable causes but exudes certain signs , symptoms and other medical problems which have the tendency to occur together (NIAMS , 2004

The term fibromyalgia is a combination of the Latin term fibro which means fibrous tissue , and the Greek terms myo which means muscle and algia which means pain . The term fibromyalgia replaces the names which were earlier used by professionals . These terms include myofascitis muscular rheumatism , myofibrositis , fibrosities and generalized musculoligamenous strain (Wallace , 2003

II . Prevalence and Epidemiology

Gender

Scientists have...