If you suffer from constant pain and fatigue all over your body for extended periods of time, which interferes with your sleep, gives you headaches and possibly some cognitive issues (such as forgetting names and getting mixed up) you might be experiencing symptoms of fibromyalgia.

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Fibromyalgia is chronic rheumatic condition which is characterised by musculoskeletal pain and tenderness throughout the body. An abnormal response to stress is said to be the underlying cause of this chronic pain condition.  It is believed that about 2% of the western population suffer from this condition of which 80-90% are females who develop it between the ages of 30 and 50.  However, it occurs at any age, including children and the elderly.

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Very frequently the signs are overall pain and fatigue, as well as sleep disturbances, numbness and hyper-sensitivity (to sound, light and smell), fibro-fog[1], headaches, muscular spasm and IBS.  Fibromyalgia is a serious condition that should be taken seriously due to the fact that it can be exceptionally debilitating and half of the people who are diagnosed with it struggle or are incapable of preforming daily activities[2]. It is also a common cause for hospitalisation.

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Although there is still not a known cure for this condition, there is no reason why people who suffer from it cannot reduce their symptoms.  In fact, there are ways to reduce the symptoms and manage the flare-ups in a natural way and without having to resolve to prescription medication.  In actual fact, a few lifestyle tweaks can help get fibromyalgia under control.

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Fibromyalgia is a condition which is often misdiagnosed.