Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease. Unlike a

disease, which is a medical condition with a specific cause

or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms, a

syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical

problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a

specific, identifiable cause.

Although fibromyalgia is often considered an arthritisrelated

condition, it is not truly a form of arthritis (a disease

of the joints) because it does not cause inflammation or

damage to the joints, muscles, or other tissues. Like arthritis,

however, fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue,

and it can interfere with a person’s ability to carry on daily

activities. Also like arthritis, fibromyalgia is considered a

rheumatic condition.