The Newest Understanding of Fibromyalgia

Researchers are finally beginning to understand the underlying cause of the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia. Three to six percent of the general population are estimated to have the condition. That's as many as 18 million people and most of them—eight out of 10, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA)—are women. Yet, in part because it is not well understood, fibromyalgia is still under-recognized by many doctors.

Not all doctors are up to speed with fibromyalgia
"We just did some market research, and we found that it depends on who you're talking to: If you're talking to rheumatologists, probably 85 percent understand that fibromyalgia does exist," says Lynne Matallana, president of the NFA. "But, if you're talking to a doctor who specializes in ob-gyn, for example, it's more like 35 to 40 percent, because they haven't had the same continuing medical education or experience."

Which presents challenges to patients who experience the symptoms of fibromyalgia and need sympathetic, nuanced care. Because there is no definitive lab test for fibromyalgia, doctors also need to rule out other conditions that share some of the same symptoms, such as hypothyroidism.