Fibromyalgia

Description

A long-term condition that involves widespread body pain and tiredness.

Overview

Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Family history also is a risk factor. A person may be more likely to get fibromyalgia if a parent or a sibling has it. Some other medical conditions raise the risk of fibromyalgia too. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Symptoms

Fibromyalgia symptoms include pain throughout the body that has lasted for at least three months. Often, the pain is described as a constant dull ache. Tiredness, also called fatigue, is another key symptom. A person may have trouble paying attention and focusing on mental tasks too.

Treatments

With fibromyalgia, a mix of treatments often works best. Medicine may be prescribed to ease pain and improve sleep. Physical therapy and counseling also can reduce pain and boost quality of life. Lifestyle changes are important too. It's key to eat healthy, get regular exercise and get quality sleep.