Here are 10 medically backed statements about fibromyalgia, based on current medical understanding:
1. Chronic Condition: Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties, often referred to as "fibro fog."
2. Central Nervous System Involvement: It is believed to involve altered pain processing in the central nervous system, leading to heightened sensitivity to pain (hyperalgesia) and pain from stimuli that are not typically painful (allodynia).
3. Prevalence: Fibromyalgia affects approximately 2-4% of the global population, with a higher prevalence in women (about 3-6% of women compared to 0.5-1% of men).
4. Diagnosis: Diagnosis is primarily clinical, based on patient history and symptoms, often using the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 2016 criteria, which assess widespread pain and symptom severity without requiring tender point examinations.
5. Common Symptoms: Beyond pain, common symptoms include fatigue, sleep disturbances (e.g., non-restorative sleep), cognitive issues, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and mood disorders like anxiety or depression.
6. No Structural Damage: Fibromyalgia does not cause inflammation or damage to joints, muscles, or connective tissues, distinguishing it from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
7. Potential Triggers: Symptoms may be triggered or exacerbated by physical or emotional stress, infections, injuries, or hormonal changes, though the exact cause remains unknown.
8. Treatment Approaches: Management typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, including medications (e.g., duloxetine, pregabalin), cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exercise (low-impact aerobic), and stress management techniques.
9. Genetic and Environmental Factors: Research suggests a genetic predisposition, with fibromyalgia often running in families, combined with environmental factors like stress or trauma that may contribute to its onset.
10. Comorbidities: Fibromyalgia frequently coexists with other conditions, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), and autoimmune diseases, complicating diagnosis and treatment.
These statements are supported by sources like the American College of Rheumatology, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), and peer-reviewed studies available up to July 2025.