Fibromyalgia definition : Arthritis and Arthritic Conditions

Fibromyalgia is a body-wide pain with various tender spots accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed after at least three full months of widespread body pain in the joints and muscles with various tender spots. The tender spots must include 11 of 18 predetermined by specialists as those that are always present in the condition. The tender points are those of fibrous tissue. These are usually muscle areas in the buttocks, shoulders, rib cage, neck, chest, thighs, knees and arms near the elbows. It is possible to mistake fibromyalgia symptoms with those of arthritis. However, arthritis carries with it marked disfigurement of joints and swelling in affected areas that fibromyalgia alone does not.

Unlike, arthritis though, a number of patients of fibromyalgia actually just experience a sensation of swelling rather than an actual swelling at the joints. Such sensations are common to most patients of fibromyalgia. One may also experience certain creepy crawly sensations on one?s body, which is a part of the discomfort that accompanies the condition.

The cause of this ailment is so far unknown. It is suggested from studies that past emotional and physical trauma may have a hand in the development of the condition. Some evidence has suggested the fibromyalgia patients have abnormal pain reception transmitters. This condition causes nerve endings to tell the brain there is pain when there is no reason for pain.

Other studies have found that sleep troubles, which are common among fibromyalgia patients, are actually key in the development of the condition. Preliminary evidence introduces the theory that a virus or germ may be the cause. There may be some evidence that fibromyalgia is hereditary. Research is ongoing as to the exact cause of fibromyalgia.

While the disease has become well known for its mystery and the challenge associated with its diagnosis, health care professionals are more aware of the telltale Fibromyalgia symptoms than ever before. Using the 18 specific tender spots as guides and learning to identify pain by degress and location have helped enormously.