Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points ― places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men.   Previously, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias.

Fibromyalgia isn't progressive or life-threatening. Intensity of symptoms may vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day.

Common signs and symptoms include pain over most of the body, fatigue, sleep disturbances, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, headaches, facial pain, heightened sensitivity to odors, noises, bright lights and touch.

Other common signs and symptoms may include depression, numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet, difficulty concentrating, mood changes chest pain, dry eyes, skin and mouth; painful menstrual periods, dizziness and anxiety.

To date, the medical community has no explanation for the cause or cure of fibromyalgia. There are a number of ideas as to the contributing factors such as sleep disturbances, infection, injury, abnormalities in the nervous system and changes in muscle metabolism, hormone changes and psychological stress

Although doctors don't know what causes fibromyalgia, there is a theory called "central sensitization." This theory states that people with fibromyalgia have increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation causes the brains of people with fibromyalgia to change with an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain .

The brain's pain receptors seem to develop a memory of the pain and become more sensitive, and can overreact to the pain signals. In this way, pressure on a spot on the body that wouldn't hurt someone without fibromyalgia can be very painful to someone who has the condition. But what initiates this process of central sensitization isn't known.

Diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult because there isn't a single, specific diagnostic laboratory test. Typically before receiving a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, patients go through several medical tests only to have the results come back normal. These tests may rule out other conditions, but can't confirm fibromyalgia.  Symptoms of fibromyalgia mimic those of other diseases, such as low thyroid hormone production (hypothyroidism), polymyalgia rheumatica, neuropathies, lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Fibromyalgia isn't progressive and generally doesn't lead to other conditions or diseases. But the pain, depression and lack of sleep interferes with the ability to function at on the job or with family and personal relationships. Dealing with a misunderstood condition creates frustration and further complications.

Since Medical doctors aren't sure of the cause of fibromyalgia they are only able to treat the symptoms  of pain and sleep loss with pain medications, anti-depressants, sleeping pills,  muscle relaxants and anti-convulsive drugs. Each category of drugs listed has serious side effects for the patient.