Fibromyalgia syndrome, a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances. Often includes cognitive difficulties and mood issues.
Acronym from 'fibromyalgia syndrome,' where 'fibromyalgia' comes from Latin 'fibra' (fiber) + Greek 'mys' (muscle) + Greek 'algos' (pain). The term was coined in 1976 to replace earlier names like 'fibrositis,' reflecting better understanding that inflammation wasn't the primary cause.
Fibromyalgia literally means 'fiber muscle pain,' but the condition puzzled doctors for decades because there's no visible tissue damage! It's now understood as a central nervous system disorder where the brain amplifies pain signals, making it one of the first 'invisible' chronic illnesses to gain medical recognition.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.