Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a painful illness characterized by widespread aches, pain, and stiffness, soft tissue tenderness, general fatigue, and sleep disturbances. The most common sites of pain include the neck, back, shoulders, and hands, but any body part can be affected. Fibromyalgia patients experience a range of symptoms that vary in intensity over time. The number of American's with fibromyalgia ranges from 2 to 5% of the population. A higher percentage of women are affected with fibromyalgia but it does affect men and children. Because of its debilitating nature, fibromyalgia has a serious impact on patients' families, friends and employers, as well as society at large. Many people associate the development of fibromyalgia with a physically or emotionally stressful or traumatic event, such as an automobile accident. Some connect it to repetitive injuries or to an illness. Learn more about the condition of fibromyalgia with information on causes, symptoms, history, and treatments.