Popular Myths and Misconceptions about Fibromyalgia

by Groshan Fabiola

Due to poor understanding of the phenomenon and due to over promotion of various unfunded theories on fibromyalgia, many people have assimilated denatured ideas regarding the disorder. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the concept of fibromyalgia and it is very important to separate them from the actual truth.

The most popular myth regarding fibromyalgia suggests that the disorder is purely psychosomatic, denying its physiological nature. In truth, fibromyalgia is a real disorder and people it affects are not hypochondriacs! Although routine medical examinations can’t reveal any traces of physical damage, fibromyalgia is caused by physical dysfunctions. The reason why fibromyalgia can’t be revealed by clinical examinations is that it evolves latently, rarely generating visible symptoms. Computerized tomography can reveal signs of abnormal brain activity in people affected by fibromyalgia, suggesting a pronounced neurological character of the disorder. Although the actual causes of the disorder are still unknown, fibromyalgia has a medical background.

Another common myth regarding fibromyalgia claims that the disorder is very rare. Some people also believe that fibromyalgia is a new disorder that only affects women. These misconceptions are far from the actual truth. Fibromyalgia is a very common disorder, affecting more than 3.7 million people in the United States. Although fibromyalgia predominantly affects the female gender, it can also occur in men. Furthermore, fibromyalgia can occur at any age! Despite the fact that the disorder is mostly common in older adults, fibromyalgia can also occur in children and teenagers.

Also, fibromyalgia is not a new form of disease. It has affected people for centuries and it has drawn the attention of various medical scientists throughout the course of history. Many scientists have studied the manifestations of fibromyalgia and the disorder has been called in many different ways (muscular rheumatism, fibrositis, fibromyositis). In the 80’s, the disorder was named “fibromyalgia” (muscular pain), in order to eliminate the confusion that surrounded the concept.

Yet another common misconception about fibromyalgia suggests that the disorder is unserious. Although fibromyalgia is not life-threatening, in time it can cause serious damage to the entire body. In the absence of an appropriate medical treatment, people affected by the disorder can suffer from insomnia, depression and mental confusion. Without medical treatment, symptoms such as muscular and joint pain can also become very intense. In time, fibromyalgia can even cause disability to the people it affects.

Although there is no specific cure for fibromyalgia, the disorder can be overcome with the help of medical treatments and alternative therapies. A healthy diet and regular physical exercise can also help alleviate the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

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