Fibromyalgia has been studied since the early 1800s and referred to by a variety of former names, including muscular rheumatism and fibrositis. Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in specific areas of your body when pressure is applied, including the back of your head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees. Fibromyalgia means pain in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Fibromyalgia syndrome is a common and chronic disordercharacterized by widespread muscle pain, fatigue, andmultiple tender points. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts a longtime — possibly a lifetime. Fibromyalgia is also known as fibrositis or fibromyositis. Fibromyalgia patients should maintain a healthy diet low in animal fat and high in fiber, with plenty of whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Fibromyalgia is often regarded as a medical enigma. Fibromyalgia affects 2 to 4 percent of the population, according to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). Fibromyalgia patients scoring their perceived "present quality of life" averaged a score of 4. Fibromyalgia pain can mimic the pain that occurs with various types of arthritis. Fibromyalgia sufferers tend to wake up with body aches and stiffness. Fibromyalgia is a complex disease that is influenced by multiple factors, including hormonal and psychological issues. Fibromyalgia can be perplexing to patients and physicians because of the lack of associated abnormalities on readily available diagnostic tests. Fibromyalgia Syndrome affects millions of people all over the world. Chronic sleep disturbances are also characteristic of fibromyalgia. The following factors have been proposed to exacerbate symptoms of pain in patients:Increased psychosocial stress.Excessive physical exertion (exercise seems to decrease the pain threshold of people with fibromyalgia but increase it in healthy individuals. Irritable bowel is found at high frequency in fibromyalgia and a large coeliac support group survey of adult celiacs revealed that 7% had fibromyalgia and also has a co-occurrence with chronic fatique. While neither degenerative nor fatal, the chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia is pervasive and persistent.