Definition: The fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterized by diffuse pain throughout the body, pain associated with great fatigue and sleep disturbances. This syndrome does not lead to serious complications, but is very stressful and often prevents the person who suffers from it from carrying out daily activities or providing full-time work.
Symptoms of the disease (source)
- Diffuse muscle pain that is accompanied by morning stiffness, and certain specific areas of the body painful to the touch. The neck and shoulders are usually the first painful places, followed by the back, chest, arms and legs. In extreme situations, a simple touch or even a light touch causes pain all over the body (a phenomenon called allodynia). The pain may be accompanied by the impression that the painful areas are swollen.
- Constant pain, but aggravated by exertion, cold, humidity, emotions and lack of sleep
- Light and non-restorative sleep, causing fatigue upon waking
- A persistent fatigue (all day), present in 9 cases out of 10. Rest does not make it disappear.
- Headaches or severe migraines, possibly caused by muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, and a disruption of natural pain control pathways
- Irritable bowel syndrome: diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain
- A depressive state or anxiety (in about a third of people with fibromyalgia)
- Concentration difficulties
- An increase in the acuity of the senses, i.e. an increased sensitivity to smells, light, noise and temperature changes (in addition to sensitivity to touch)
- Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
- Painful menstruation and marked premenstrual syndrome
- Irritable bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis)
