Facts

Facts about Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a medical disorder (or syndrome) characterized by chronic widespread pain and allodynia, and extremely painful and heightened response to pressure.

The following facts about fibromyalgia are of particular interest:

  • Up to 12 million North Americans suffer from Fibromyalgia
  • Fibromyalgia affects 3% to 6% of the world's population1
  • Women are affected most often (9:1 ratio female to male)
  • Some doctors refute fibromyalgia as a disease leading to prolonged suffering for fibromyalgia patients2
  • Men with Fibromyalgia commonly go undiagnosed3
  • Fibromyalgia can be often misdiagnosed4

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

The following signs and symptoms for fibromyalgia have been identified:

Fibromyalgia Treatments

The following fibromyalgia treatments have shown to be effective in reducing symptoms under controlled and measurable clinical studies:

  • Fibromyalgia medications
  • Holistic treatments
  • Behavioral interventions
  • Patient education
  • Fibromyalgia exercise
  • Paintracking

Sources:

  1. A New Way of Diagnosing Fibromyalgia, 2016
  2. Fibromyalgia misconceptions: Interview with a Mayo Clinic expert, 2015
  3. Men with Fibromyalgia Often Go Undiagnosed, 2013​
  4. Why You Shouldn’t Blindly Accept Your Fibromyalgia Diagnosis, 2016