Females are at far greater risk of Fibromyalgia than males. A number of studies indicate that women who have a family member with fibromyalgia are more likely to develop the disorder themselves. Whether this is caused by genetic makeup, shared environmental factors, or both is still unclear. Other risk factors include:·

• A history of severe infections·
• Severe injuries (such as a car accident)·
• Neurological disorders·
• Depression or chronic stress·
• Recurring injuries in the same region of the body·
• A family history of fibromyalgia or other rheumatoid illnesses

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Symptoms of fibromyalgia sometimes begin after considerable psychological stress, infection, surgery, or physical trauma. In other cases, symptoms progressively accumulate over time with no specific trigger. Pain is the most common symptom for people suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome. Unlike joint pains, the pain experienced from fibromyalgia is usually felt over the entire body.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, the pain can be dull, sharp, deep, gnawing or throbbing, and is mostly felt around the ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Sometimes the pain will come and go, and may also travel throughout the entire body. Other common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:·   ‘

• Urinary disorders such as increased frequency and pain·
• Tender points·
• Numbness and tingling feeling in legs, feet, arms, and hands·
• Sleep difficulties·
• Painful menstrual cramps·
• Morning stiffness·
• Irritable bowel syndrome·
• Headaches·
• Fatigue·
• Depression·
• Concentration and memory problems referred to as “Fibro Fog”·
• Anxiety

Fibromyalgia may also co-exist with some other painful disorders including ·

• Temporomandibular joint disorders·
• Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome·
• Migraine and other types of headaches·
• Irritable bowel syndrome

What Is the Difference between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are alike in many ways. In fact, it’s not a surprise to have both CFS and fibromyalgia at the same time. Some experts argue that the two are actually the same illness but express slight differences. Both CFS and fibromyalgia have fatigue and pain as their major symptoms. The difference between the two, however, lies in the fact that people suffering from CFS don’t have the tender points as with people with fibromyalgia. The most common symptoms of CFS include:·

• Sore throat·
• Extreme tiredness·
• Tender lymph nodes under the arm and in the neck·
• Severe headache·
• Pain or aches in joints without redness or swelling·
• Muscle aches·
• Fatigue·
• Memory problems