What is fibromyalgia and how is it treated?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that is associated with widespread pain throughout the body. 

This occurs in an estimated five million people in the US, and 80 to 90 per cent of those are women.

Researchers have looked into fibromyalgia developing due to an issue with how the brain responds to pain receptors. 

Symptoms

• Chronic pain
• Fatigue
• Muscle spasms
• Cognitive difficulties ('fibro fog')
• Sleep disruptions
• Migraines  

Treatment

Treatment is used to minimize the symptoms, not to rid the body of the disorder. 

There is a variety of medications to help treat pain, sleep problems and muscle spasms.

People can also turn to therapy, messages, acupuncture and yoga to see if it helps lessen the symptoms. 

There is no current cure for the chronic disorder. 

Source: Mayo Clinic