fibromyalgia

An A to Z glossary of disabilities

A long-term illness which can cause pain all over the body.

Those living with the condition can experience difficulty sleeping, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, fatigue, memory and concentration problems and increased sensitively to pain.

Despite the cause of the illness being unknown medical studies show the condition could be related to abnormal levels of specific chemicals found in the brain.

Those going through stressful events such as undergoing an operation, break-up, giving birth or grief could be prone to the illness.