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Fibromyalgia is a body-wide pain with various tender spots accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed after at least three full months of widespread body pain in the joints and muscles with various tender spots. The tender spots must include 11 of 18 predetermined by specialists as those that are always present in the condition. The tender points are those of fibrous tissue. These are usually muscle areas in the buttocks, shoulders, rib cage, neck, chest, thighs, knees and arms near the elbows. It is possible to mistake fibromyalgia symptoms with those of arthritis. However, arthritis carries with it marked disfigurement of joints and swelling in affected areas that fibromyalgia alone does not.

Unlike arthritis, however, the pain is not localized in a specific joint or muscle; it’s widespread, throbbing, sharp and deep. While the pain is widespread, many fibromyalgia patients also report “tender spots” where pain is felt more sharply if the area is pressed. Doctors have narrowed down the number of tender points to 18 specific locations. Under these circumstances, it’s easy to understand why fibromyalgia is so difficult to diagnose.

The cause of this ailment is so far unknown. It is suggested from studies that past emotional and physical trauma may have a hand in the development of the condition. Some evidence has suggested the fibromyalgia patients have abnormal pain reception transmitters. This condition causes nerve endings to tell the brain there is pain when there is no reason for pain.

One thing that one must always keep in mind is the fact that in case of the disease under discussion, the swelling will never be in the painful areas. Yet, if one exerts pressure over the painful areas then the patient is sure to wince.

While the disease has become well known for its mystery and the challenge associated with its diagnosis, health care professionals are more aware of the telltale Fibromyalgia symptoms than ever before. Using the 18 specific tender spots as guides and learning to identify pain by degress and location have helped enormously.