A physician may diagnose fibrositis by locating the existence of tender ponits throughout the body during a physical examination. Many more women than men have fobrositis. It usually occurs during childbearing years, but seems to be occuring increasingly during the teen years. Many patients with fibrositis say their pains are worse during cool, damp wheather or during periods of over exertion, anxiety and emotional stress. Symptoms in some women this worsen during pregnancy and then are relieved after the delivery of the baby.
Infections seems to make fibrositis worse.
Stress also plays a major role in the disease. A condition frequently confused with arthritis is bursitis. Bursitis differs from arthritis in that inflammation of the bursa, which are small, fluid filled sacs near joints between muscles, bones, ligaments and tendons. Their function is to reduce friction and help absorb shocks. Bursitis differs from arthritis in that inflammation involves the areas surounding the joint rather than the joint itself.