Fibromyalgia: Painful Disease Affects as Many as 6 Percent of Students

Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in various locations of the body. However, Fibromyalgia generally will begin in the neck and shoulders and then advance on to other parts of the body. This pain is many times referred to as a burning, stiff pain. In addition, one who has fibromyalgia may notice that there are tender or sore spots in their muscles. Those who have fibromyalgia may have fatigue as a result of not being able to sleep because of the pain, and may have headaches as well. In addition, a fibromyalgia patient may have mood swings, dry eyes, dizziness, anxiety and depression.

If you are wondering if your child could have fibromyalgia, you could be right. There was a time when fibromyalgia was not thought of as a disease that a child would have. However, studies reveal that not only do some children have this condition, but as many as 6 percent of school-age children suffer from it.

Many times when children complain of aches and pains we dismiss it as growing pains and a normal part of growing up. However, doctors are more aware of the aches and pains of their young patients now and as a result they are diagnosing the underlying reasons.

It is important for parents to take note that what is referred too as "growing pains," actually does not exist. There is always a reason a person is experiencing pain and growing is not one of them. If you have fibromyalgia, it does not mean that your children will however, you should be more aware of the possibility.