There are no specific causes of the onset of fibromyalgia symptoms but the following have been found as triggers:

•	Genetics

•	Stressors

•	Infections


Possible Causes of Fibromyalgia

There is no "cure" for fibromyalgia but there are different treatments that help the different symptoms become more manageable. Some of the treatments include:

•	Physical therapy

•	Acupuncture 

•	Psychological therapies

•	Analgesics

•	Opioids

•	Antidepressants

•	Anticonvulsant drugs

•	A healthy lifestyle


Treatments for Fibromyalgia

There is no way to get exact statistics of the amount of people affected by fibromyalgia, but studies have found a few patterns in regard to who has a higher chance of receiving the diagnosis. The prevalence in the population is most likely lower than 2-4% in the United States.

Prevalence of Fibromyalgia in the U.S.

Fibromyalgia does not have a specific test for diagnosis, but usually patients need to meet certain requirements. Different doctors use different criteria to diagnose but usually try to rule out other disorders before giving this diagnosis.

Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia

In this experiment, the upper limb of patients was placed in cold water and a visual analogue scale was used to measure the degree of pain that was experienced.


Experimental Model of Pain in Fibromyalgia Patients


• chronic widespread pain and tenderness

• unrefreshing sleep or other problems with sleep

• feelings of physical exhaustion

• cognitive difficulties such as brain fog

• fatigue and a variety of other somatic and psychological symptoms.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is an illness which presents itself as widespread and a variety of other impairing symptoms. This condition is classified under ‘diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue’ in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).

University of Colorado at Denver

Physical chronic diseases/disorders limit mobility and most often occur as a result of an anatomical problem(s) within the body. Common chronic physical illnesses include asthma, arthritis, back problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart problems, and diabetes. 

Physical Chronic Diseases

Clauw, D. J. (2009). Fibromyalgia: An Overview. The American Journal of Medicine, 122(12), S3–S13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2009.09.006

Fibromyalgia: An Overview

Fibromyalgia

Sheehan, M. T. (2004). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management. Clinical Medicine &amp; Research, 2(1), 13–27. Retrieved July 18, 2022, from http://www.clinmedres.org/content/2/1/13.full.pdf. 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome:
Diagnosis and Management

Gnoth, C., Godehardt, E., Frank-Herrmann, P., Friol, K., Tigges, J., &amp; Freundl, G. (2005). Definition and prevalence of subfertility and infertility. Human Reproduction, 20(5), 1144–1147. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deh870 

Definition and prevalence of subfertility and infertility

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases. If left untreated, HIV can become AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

HIV/AIDS

What are HIV and AIDS? (2022, June 15). HIV.gov. https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids 

HIV and Aids

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is an endocrine disorder that is diagnosed in 4% to 12% of women (who are of reproductive age). Unfortunately, PCOS does not have a cure and includes several life debilitating symptoms.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Chronic Kidney Disease is identified by abnormal measurements of the actual or estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR, rate of kidney function/ filtration and flow of plasma across kidney membranes) for a minimum of 3 months, though usually this lasts for years and many consider it a lifelong condition. This condition is associated with chronic pain and a myriad of other serious symptoms and may lead to kidney failure and death.

Kidney Disease

While Chronic Kidney Disease is one of the most notable and common of any conditions associated with the kidneys resulting in disability, various miscellaneous diseases and conditions also exist, causing chronic pain, disability, and possibly death.

Miscellaneous Diseases and Injuries of the Kidneys

Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a disorder distinguished by symptoms of severe fatigue as well as cognitive impairments, sleep disturbances, and pain. Research has shown that this disorder is not a psychiatric disorder, but many doctors still believe it to be psychosomatic in nature and treat it with interventions intended for psychological disorders, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy, which can be harmful to the outcome of ME/CFS patients. Thus, it is important for clinical psychologists to better understand this disorder.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After