When you don't get enough sleep, your body does not produce the chemicals necessary to control or regulate pain. A lack of these pain-regulating chemicals results in tenderness in the upper back and forearms, leading to the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Physical and emotional factors may also contribute to the onset of fibromyalgia. When you are sick, you may worry about your health and become anxious, depressed or inactive. These emotional factors could make your symptoms worse and aggravate fibromyalgia.
Women tend to have fibromyalgia more often than men.
In Europe, some studies suggest that as many as 14 percent of women may have fibromyalgia symptoms. In the United States, the fibromyalgia estimate is much lower - 2 to 4 percent of women and men. Presence of widespread pain together with some of the other symptoms of fibromyalgia. People who have fibromyalgia experience abnormal sensitivity when light pressure is applied to many of the locations shown here. People with fibromyalgia receive individual treatment based on several factors, including their overall health, medical history, number of tender points, severity of pain and presence of other symptoms.