Fibromyalgia Cookbook

Fibromyalgia is a chronic, diffuse musculoskeletal pain syndrome that has no clearly identified etiology.1-4 It affects mostly adults5 and is characterized by chronic widespread pain, abnormal processing of and heightened sensitivity to pain, chronic fatigue, sleep disorders, and emotional distress or depression.5,6 Fibromyalgia reduces quality of life and productivity and is associated with functional disability, lost work time, and increased use of health care services.5,7-9 Based on diagnostic criteria developed in 1990 by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), fibromyalgia affects more than 5 million Americans,10 most of whom are middle-aged women; men are less likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia even if they meet diagnostic criteria (3.4% women vs. 0.5% men).1,10,11Although fibromyalgia can occur in children, diagnosis is typically made in middle age, and prevalence increases with age until age 65, then declines in women.