Explanation:

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. Fibromyalgia does not cause damage to internal body organs.

Explanation:

The precise cause of fibromyalgia is not known. Fibromyalgia can occur on its own, but it has also been linked to family history, stressful or traumatic, psychological distress, trauma, illness, injury, and/or infection.

Explanation:

The universal symptom of fibromyalgia is pain.

Explanation:

As a neurotransmitter, serotonin helps to relay messages from one area of the brain to another.

Explanation:

Levels of the brain chemical serotonin are relatively low in patients with fibromyalgia. Scientists note that there seems to be increased pain perception in fibromyalgia patients. Also, patients with fibromyalgia tend to have trouble sleeping, which may explain the common feature of fatigue.

Explanation:

Many studies link fibromyalgia and depression. Learning more about the connection between fibromyalgia and depression can help patients seek appropriate medical treatment, which includes antidepressants.

Explanation:

Excessive hunger and weight gain are not typically recognized as symptoms of fibromyalgia. Generally, symptoms of fibromyalgia can include the following:
- Cognitive and memory problems (sometimes called "fibro fog")
- Trouble sleeping
- Morning stiffness
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Painful menstrual periods
- Numbness or tingling of hands and feet
- Restless legs syndrome
- Temperature sensitivity
- Sensitivity to loud noises or bright lights

Explanation:

Substance P is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the transmission of pain signaling.

Explanation:

While fibromyalgia predominantly affects women (over 80% of those affected are women) between the ages of 35 and 55, it can also affect men.

Explanation:

Fibromyalgia cannot be found by a lab test.

Explanation:

A doctor who knows about fibromyalgia uses these two criteria on which to base a diagnosis of fibromyalgia:
1. There is a history of widespread pain lasting more than three months. Pain must be present in both the right and left sides of the body as well as above and below the waist.
2. Tender points must be present. The body has many sites that are possible tender points.

Explanation:

Three medicines have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat fibromyalgia. These are:
- Pregabalin (Lyrica ®)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta ®)
- Milnacipran (Savella ®)
Doctors may also suggest non-narcotic pain relievers, low-dose antidepressants, or other classes of medications that might help improve certain symptoms.

Explanation:

Fatigue that impairs daily functioning is characteristic of both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. People with chronic fatigue syndrome do not have the tender points that people with fibromyalgia have.

Explanation:

Fibromyalgia is not a disease of the joints (arthritis) since it does not cause inflammation in the joints, muscles, or other tissues. But fibromyalgia can (like arthritis) cause significant pain and fatigue, and it can similarly interfere with a person's ability to carry on daily activities.