WHAT IS FIBROMYALGIA SYNDROME
(FMS)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition which causes widespread pain and fatigue, as well as a variety of other symptoms. The name Fibromyalgia comes from "fibro" meaning fibrous tissues (such as tendons and ligaments), "my" meaning muscles, and "algia" meaning pain. Unlike arthritis, Fibromyalgia does not cause pain or swelling in joints: instead it produces pain in the soft tissue around joints, in skin, and in various organs of the body.

The pain of Fibromyalgia usually consists of diffuse aching or burning and it is often accompanied by muscle spasm. It varies from day to day and can change location, becoming more severe in parts of the body that are used the most (i.e., the face & jaws, the neck, shoulders, and feet). In some people the pain can be intense enough to interfere with normal activities of daily living including their occupational activities. The fatigue of Fibromyalgia may vary from person to person ranging from a tired feeling to the exhaustion of flu-like illness. The good news is that FMS is not fatal, nobody dies from it.

Up to 10 million Americans have been estimated to have Fibromyalgia. The condition exists worldwide and while most prevalent in adult women it can occur in children, the elderly and men.

 Symptoms Associated With Fibromyalgia

• Sleep Disturbances: Despite sufficient amounts of sleep, FM patients may awaken feeling unrefreshed, as if they have barely slept. They may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Some also suffer from the condition sleep apnea, wherein they get insufficient oxygen at night due to obstructed nasal or throat breathing.  This results in daytime sleepiness, lack of vigilance and increased injuries/accidents.: Despite sufficient amounts of sleep, FM patients may awaken feeling unrefreshed, as if they have barely slept. They may have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Some also suffer from the condition sleep apnea, wherein they get insufficient oxygen at night due to obstructed nasal or throat breathing.  This results in daytime sleepiness, lack of vigilance and increased injuries/accidents.

• Stiffness: Stiff necks and/or generalized body stiffness may be particularly apparent upon awakening and after prolonged periods of sitting or standing in one position (long automobile rides, etc) or coincide with changes in temperature of relative humidity. Stiffness: Stiff necks and/or generalized body stiffness may be particularly apparent upon awakening and after prolonged periods of sitting or standing in one position (long automobile rides, etc) or coincide with changes in temperature of relative humidity. 

• Gastrointestinal Complaints: Digestive disturbances, abdominal pain, and bloating are quite common in FM as are constipation an/or diarrhea (also known as "irritable bowel syndrome"). Additionally patients may have difficulty swallowing food due to a lower jaw which is displaced and located more posteriorly than normal.  The esophagus which is suspended beneath the mandible is compressed against the bony vertebral column and its lumen decreases. Gastrointestinal Complaints: Digestive disturbances, abdominal pain, and bloating are quite common in FM as are constipation an/or diarrhea (also known as "irritable bowel syndrome"). Additionally patients may have difficulty swallowing food due to a lower jaw which is displaced and located more posteriorly than normal.  The esophagus which is suspended beneath the mandible is compressed against the bony vertebral column and its lumen decreases. 

• Genito-Urinary Problems: FM patients may experience increased frequency of urination or increased urgency to urinate, typically in the absence of a bladder infection. Some may develop a more chronic, painful inflammatory condition of the bladder well known as "interstitial cystitis" (IC). Women with FMS may have more painful menstrual periods or experience worsening of their FM symptoms during this time. Genito-Urinary Problems: FM patients may experience increased frequency of urination or increased urgency to urinate, typically in the absence of a bladder infection. Some may develop a more chronic, painful inflammatory condition of the bladder well known as "interstitial cystitis" (IC). Women with FMS may have more painful menstrual periods or experience worsening of their FM symptoms during this time. 

• Paresthesia: Numbness or tingling, particularly, in the hands or feet, sometimes accompanies FM. Also known as "paresthesia", the sensation can be described as prickling or burning. Paresthesia: Numbness or tingling, particularly, in the hands or feet, sometimes accompanies FM. Also known as "paresthesia", the sensation can be described as prickling or burning. 

• Temperature Sensitivity: Persons with Fibromyalgia tend to be highly sensitive to ambient temperature. Some often feel abnormally cold (compared to others around them) while others feel abnormally warm. An unusual sensitivity to cold in the hands and/or feet, accompanied by color changes in the skin, sometimes occurs in persons with Fibromyalgia. Persons with Fibromyalgia tend to be highly sensitive to ambient temperature. Some often feel abnormally cold (compared to others around them) while others feel abnormally warm. An unusual sensitivity to cold in the hands and/or feet, accompanied by color changes in the skin, sometimes occurs in persons with Fibromyalgia. 

• Chest Symptoms: Individuals with Fibromyalgia who engage in activities involving continuous, forward body posture (i.e., typing, sitting at a desk, etc.) often have special problems with chest and upper body pain known as "thoracic pain and dysfunction". Often accompanying the pain is shallow breathing and postural problems. Chest Symptoms: Individuals with Fibromyalgia who engage in activities involving continuous, forward body posture (i.e., typing, sitting at a desk, etc.) often have special problems with chest and upper body pain known as "thoracic pain and dysfunction". Often accompanying the pain is shallow breathing and postural problems. 

• Dysequilibrium: FM patients may be troubled by light-headedness and/or balance problems. Weak muscles; and/or trigger points in the neck or TMJ problems in the jaw may cause dizziness or dysequilibrium. Research has shown that some FM patients have a condition known as "neurally mediated hypotension" which causes a drop in blood pressure and heart rate upon standing with resulting light-headedness, nausea and difficulty thinking clearly. Dysequilibrium: FM patients may be troubled by light-headedness and/or balance problems. Weak muscles; and/or trigger points in the neck or TMJ problems in the jaw may cause dizziness or dysequilibrium. Research has shown that some FM patients have a condition known as "neurally mediated hypotension" which causes a drop in blood pressure and heart rate upon standing with resulting light-headedness, nausea and difficulty thinking clearly. 

• Cognitive Disorders: Persons with FM report a number of cognitive symptoms which tend to vary from day to day. These include difficulty concentrating, "spaciness," short-term memory lapses, and being overwhelmed easily.

• Leg Sensations: Some FM patients may develop a neurologic disorder known as "restless legs syndrome" (RLS) which involves an irresistible urge to move the legs particularly when at rest or when lying down. One recent study reported that 31% of the Fibromyalgia patients studied had RLS. The syndrome may also involve periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) which can be very disruptive to both the patient and to his/her sleeping partner. Leg Sensations: Some FM patients may develop a neurologic disorder known as "restless legs syndrome" (RLS) which involves an irresistible urge to move the legs particularly when at rest or when lying down. One recent study reported that 31% of the Fibromyalgia patients studied had RLS. The syndrome may also involve periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) which can be very disruptive to both the patient and to his/her sleeping partner. 

• Environmental Sensitivity: Hypersensitivity to light, noise, odors, and weather patterns is common and is usually explained as being a result of the hypervigilance seen in the nervous systems of patients with FM. Allergic-like reactions to a variety of substances (i.e., medications, chemicals, food additives, pollutants, etc.) are common, and patients may also experience a form of non-allergic rhinitis consisting of nasal congestion/discharge and sinus pain, but in the absence of the immunologic reactions which the body experiences in allergic conditions. Hypersensitivity to light, noise, odors, and weather patterns is common and is usually explained as being a result of the hypervigilance seen in the nervous systems of patients with FM. Allergic-like reactions to a variety of substances (i.e., medications, chemicals, food additives, pollutants, etc.) are common, and patients may also experience a form of non-allergic rhinitis consisting of nasal congestion/discharge and sinus pain, but in the absence of the immunologic reactions which the body experiences in allergic conditions. 

• Depression and Anxiety: Although FM patients are frequently misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders (‘it’s all in your head), research has repeatedly shown that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypchondriasis. However, where depression or anxiety exist concomitant with Fibromyalgia or TMJ dysfunction their treatment is important as both can exacerbate FM or TMJ and interfere with successful treatment. Although FM patients are frequently misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders (‘it’s all in your head), research has repeatedly shown that Fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypchondriasis. However, where depression or anxiety exist concomitant with Fibromyalgia or TMJ dysfunction their treatment is important as both can exacerbate FM or TMJ and interfere with successful treatment. 

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

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