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Fast Facts

  • Researchers estimate between 3.7 to 6 million Americans suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS).
  • FMS occurs worldwide.
  • Fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome not a disease.
  • A syndrome is a "collection of symptoms."
  • FMS is most common in the Caucasian population.
  • The syndrome occurs 10 times more often in women than in men.
  • People are most often diagnosed with FMS between the ages of 20 to 50.
  • It takes an average of five years before an individual is accurately diagnosed.
  • Approximately 90% of people suffering from fibromyalgia do not get adequate sleep.
  • Fibromyalgia is composed of many physical symptoms that do not necessarily seem related.
  • Symptoms of fibromyalgia syndrome can include:
    • widespread pain
    • fatigue
    • non-restorative sleep
    • headaches
    • muscle tension
    • TMJ pain (jaw pain)
    • sensitivities to noise, light, smells, medications, and substances such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
    • Raynaud's phenomenon (i.e., occasional attacks of decreased blood flow to the extremities that leads to numbness, tingling, burning, and pain)
    • restless legs
    • numbness
    • tingling
    • chest wall pain
    • irritable bowel syndrome
    • irritable bladder symptoms
    • short-term memory and concentration difficulties
    • morning stiffness
    • sensation of swelling
    • dizziness