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Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Fibromyalgia syndrome [1] (FMS) is a chronic and abnormal condition in the body that causes pain and generalized complex and extreme fatigue as well as a host of other accompanying symptoms. Many times, it is described as pain from head to toe. It mainly affects the soft tissues of the body. It does not cause pain in the joints of the body nor led to swelling of the joints. The mechanisms by which it occurs are not well understood and therefore no alterations are found in the analysis or in the imaging studies that allow establishing the diagnosis. Fibromyalgia shares some characteristics with the syndrome of chronic asthenia or chronic fatigue or, as it has recently been called, systemic disease due to exercise intolerance.

In general terms, we can say that fibromyalgia consists of an abnormality in the perception of pain so that they are perceived as painful, stimuli that usually are not. In addition to pain, it can manifest as a generalized stiffness, particularly when one wants to get up in the morning, and a poorly defined feeling of inflammation in the hands and feet. Poorly defined tingling may also be noticed and this tingling sensation can be diffused, especially the hands. The nature and number of indications of fibromyalgia vary from person [2] to person, but there are common symptoms like stiffness and chronic pain, exhaustion, cognitive impairment, and sleep issues. In addition to pain and exhaustion, fibromyalgia can also cause several other symptoms. The symptoms of fibromyalgia are listed below:

Pain in the Musculoskeletal & Tender Point on the Body

Body pain [3] may vary from burning or sharp pain to a dull ache, and areas where the pain occurs can feel sore. Most people equate the pain in the body to that experienced in flu infection. A number of factors/conditions, such as cold or damp weather, physical activity, the time of day, or stress, can exacerbate the pain.

The small, sensitive areas across the body known as tender points [4] are a hallmark symptom of fibromyalgia. Tender points refer to the subtle area of tenderness on the body surface. Pain often radiates from these places, and some patients may experience pain in all of the 19 body tender points [5]. When slight pressure is applied to these points, they become painful, like when a professional pushes his or her finger on the region during a medical assessment. Pain is perceived in the soft tissues of the body, such as ligaments and muscles.