Fibromyalgia is a disorder that is characterized by chronic pain and fatigue. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Fibromyalgia may be accompanied by headaches, migraines, digestive problems, sensitivity to light or noise, sleep disturbances, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, anxiety, and depression. While fibromyalgia is mainly characterized by widespread chronic pain it does not mean that everyone who has chronic pain has fibromyalgia. There is no biomarker for fibromyalgia however lab tests or x-rays can help rule out other conditions.
Typical Age of onset
- Chronic widespread pain
- Tenderness of the muscles, tendons, or joints
- “Tender points” that are painful in response to touch
- Sleep problems (waking up unrefreshed)
- Cognitive difficulties (problems with memory or thinking clearly, sometimes called “fibro fog”)