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Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties ("fibro fog"). It amplifies painful sensations by affecting how the brain processes pain signals.
read more about fibromyalgia ...The mechanism is believed to be central sensitization. This is a condition where the brain and spinal cord become overly sensitive to pain signals, meaning normal stimuli are interpreted as painful, causing widespread tenderness.
Non-pain symptoms include deep fatigue that does not improve with rest, unrefreshing sleep, and difficulty with attention and short-term memory known as fibro fog. Restless legs, headaches, and sensitivity to light or noise can appear during flare periods. Some people report tingling in the hands or feet and stiffness on waking. Irritable bowel symptoms such as bloating or cramping can occur. Mood changes like anxiety or low mood may track with sleep disruption and pain levels.
Diagnosis is challenging, as there are no lab tests. Diagnosis is made through a process of elimination, ruling out other conditions. The doctor assesses the history of widespread pain (lasting at least three months) and other associated symptoms.
Fibromyalgia directly impacts eye health by causing severe dry eyes and photophobia (light sensitivity). Fatigue and pain sensitization affect tear film stability and the eyes' ability to tolerate normal light, requiring specialized management of these ocular symptoms.
Management involves a combination of medication (antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs to calm pain signals), physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and lifestyle changes to improve sleep and reduce stress.
No, fibromyalgia is a physical disorder of the central nervous system related to pain processing.
Yes, gentle, regular physical activity is often necessary to manage pain and fatigue, though severe exertion should be avoided.
Yes, sleep is often fragmented and non-restorative, contributing significantly to chronic fatigue.
If your widespread pain is accompanied by joint swelling or morning stiffness lasting over an hour, see a rheumatologist to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis. Fibromyalgia is often a "diagnosis of exclusion," meaning other inflammatory or autoimmune conditions must be ruled out first.
NIAMS. Fibromyalgia (niams.nih.gov). 2024.
NHS. Fibromyalgia (nhs.uk). 2022.
Mayo Clinic. Fibromyalgia Symptoms (mayoclinic.org). 2025.
MedlinePlus. Fibromyalgia (medlineplus.gov). 2025.