Pediatric fibromyalgia
Pediatric fibromyalgia (fi·bro·my·al·gia) is a condition in which a child experiences problems with sleep, memory and mood, as well as generalized pain and fatigue.
What is pediatric fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes a child to experience chronic (ongoing), widespread musculoskeletal (muscles, tendons and joints) pain. Experts hypothesize that individuals with fibromyalgia experience pain due to the brain signals that translate pain sensations becoming amplified.
Risk factors
Fibromyalgia occurs in females more often than it occurs in males.
What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric fibromyalgia?
Constant, dull ache throughout or in many areas of the body that has lasted for at least three months
Difficulty paying attention, focusing or concentrating on mental tasks
Extreme fatigue (tiredness)
Individuals with this condition oftentimes also experience other health issues, such as:
Restless legs syndrome, or RLS - Uncomfortable, often painful sensations in the legs that make an individual want to move the legs, which leads to sleep problems
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders - Causes pain and other problems with the jaw
Tension headaches or migraines
What are the causes of pediatric fibromyalgia?
In some cases, fibromyalgia comes on slowly over time, with no single, definitive trigger event.
In other cases, the condition may be triggered or exacerbated by a variety of events, including:
Infection
Physical trauma
Serious psychological stress
Surgery