One of the latest buzz words in the health world is fibromyalgia. The term simply means pain in the body's fibrous tissues. It's an ailment known worldwide and has been studied in such other diverse nations such as India, Japan, Germany, Norway and South Africa. Between 70 to 90 percent of fibromyalgia sufferers are women between the ages of thirty-five

and sixty. It's an illness that even medical professionals have labeled "slippery" or "mysterious" and the condition bears a striking resemblance to chronic fatigue syndrome.

So, what makes fibromyalgia unique? It has no known cause, no simple diagnostic test and no easy treatment or cure. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome, marked by chronic pain in the muscles, ligaments, tendons or bursae around joints. Individuals with fibromyalgia report they feel completely drained of energy for no apparent reason. "I hurt all over," is another common refrain. It's gets the title "syndrome" because it includes a set of conditions which always occur together. Patients are plagued

with other signs including chronic headaches, stiffness, irritable bowels, disturbed sleep, and depression.

One key to diagnosing fibromyalgia are spots on the body called "tender points." Research has found 18 specific points, which are tender and painful to the touch. Further studies have shown these tender points can be used to distinguish fibromyalgia from other painful joint and muscle conditions. The criteria for diagnosing the ailment is pain or tenderness in at least 11 of the 18 points. Tender points hurt only when pressed. Individuals may not realize they have these spots until a doctor presses on them during examination. But, if tender points are found on less than 11 of 18 points, for example, doctors will usually diagnose the ailment as fibromyalgia, provided other diseases are first excluded.

Sleep disorders occur in about 90 percent of persons with fibromyalgia. In a sleep lab, researchers found fibromyalgia syndrome patients could fall asleep without much trouble, but their deep level (or stage 4) sleep was constantly interrupted by bursts of awake-like brain activity. The fourth state of sleep, deep sleep, is necessary for muscles and other body tissues to regenerate adequately. Muscle pain occurs, it's believed, because muscles are deprived of proper rest in persons with the ailment. However the pattern of insomnia varies. Although some may have trouble initially falling asleep, others may wake up often during the night and be unable to fall back asleep. Doctors often refer to this as unrefreshed sleep.

As sufferers can tell you, some in the medical establishment have been skeptical regarding this disorder. As pain has always been an elusive phenomenon, fibromyalgia can be misdiagnosed as arthritis or chronic fatigue syndrome. One women in her late forties visited ten doctors before finding one that could put a name to her ailment. Because females are the primary sufferers, less than open-minded physicians have been dismissive. Some have termed the illness the "tender lady syndrome," and don't seem to take the ailment seriously. Making matters worse, family and friends may

find the malady difficult to understand. On a more positive note, over the last five to ten years, attitudes among the medical profession have been changing. This is partly due to reputable studies conducted by physician specialists such as neurologists and rheumatologists.

Exactly what causes this disorder is still not clear. One theory suggests in persons with fibromyalgia, the body breaks down muscle protein at an unusually high rate and converts it to glucose for energy. This increased level of tissue breakdown has been interpreted as one of the reasons for the pain, aching and fatigue.

Possible deficiencies in the diet are another theory. For the body to manufacture energy, it requires the presence of certain compounds, including magnesium. Some studies have indicated patients with fibromyalgia tend to be deficient in magnesium, which is crucial for maintaining normal energy levels.

Because the cause is currently unknown, treatments are geared primarily to easing the painful symptoms of the disorder, rather than curing it. An antidepressant drug called amitriptyline has been shown to provide some short-term relief, however, it has numerous side effects.

People with fibromyalgia do not generally have serious long-term arthritis or crippling ailments. In other words, the disorder is not the beginning of a serious rheumatic disease. Although there will be pain, studies have shown sufferers will not have to cope with damaged joints later. Generally, the ailment waxes and wanes with the years, but it is considered a chronic ailment. The impact of fibromyalgia can have on daily living activities, including the ability to work a full-time job,

differs among individuals. If the symptoms escalate, patients may become unable to work, which can lead to depression, anxiety and anger.

Lifestyle modifications can help conserve your energy and minimize pain. Some coping strategies are: gentle exercise, relaxation techniques and therapeutic massage. Mild exercise has also been shown to help.