Popular Myths and Misconceptions about Fibromyalgia

Due to poor understanding of the phenomenon andFurthermore, fibromyalgia can occur at any age!
due to over promotion of various unfunded theories onDespite the fact that the disorder is mostly common in
fibromyalgia, many people have assimilated denaturedolder adults, fibromyalgia can also occur in children and
ideas regarding the disorder. There are many mythsteenagers.
and misconceptions surrounding the concept ofAlso, fibromyalgia is not a new form of disease. It has
fibromyalgia and it is very important to separate themaffected people for centuries and it has drawn the
from the actual truth.attention of various medical scientists throughout the
The most popular myth regarding fibromyalgiacourse of history. Many scientists have studied the
suggests that the disorder is purely psychosomatic,manifestations of fibromyalgia and the disorder has
denying its physiological nature. In truth, fibromyalgia is abeen called in many different ways (muscular
real disorder and people it affects are notrheumatism, fibrositis, fibromyositis). In the 80's, the
hypochondriacs! Although routine medical examinationsdisorder was named "fibromyalgia" (muscular pain), in
can't reveal any traces of physical damage,order to eliminate the confusion that surrounded the
fibromyalgia is caused by physical dysfunctions. Theconcept.
reason why fibromyalgia can't be revealed by clinicalYet another common misconception about
examinations is that it evolves latently, rarelyfibromyalgia suggests that the disorder is unserious.
generating visible symptoms. ComputerizedAlthough fibromyalgia is not life-threatening, in time it
tomography can reveal signs of abnormal brain activitycan cause serious damage to the entire body. In the
in people affected by fibromyalgia, suggesting aabsence of an appropriate medical treatment, people
pronounced neurological character of the disorder.affected by the disorder can suffer from insomnia,
Although the actual causes of the disorder are stilldepression and mental confusion. Without medical
unknown, fibromyalgia has a medical background.treatment, symptoms such as muscular and joint pain
Another common myth regarding fibromyalgia claimscan also become very intense. In time, fibromyalgia can
that the disorder is very rare. Some people alsoeven cause disability to the people it affects.
believe that fibromyalgia is a new disorder that onlyAlthough there is no specific cure for fibromyalgia, the
affects women. These misconceptions are far fromdisorder can be overcome with the help of medical
the actual truth. Fibromyalgia is a very commontreatments and alternative therapies. A healthy diet
disorder, affecting more than 3.7 million people in theand regular physical exercise can also help alleviate
United States. Although fibromyalgia predominantlythe symptoms of fibromyalgia.
affects the female gender, it can also occur in men.