The word "syndrome" has been so misused in the popular media that it carries a connotation of being made up, silly, or overblown. Meanwhile, "disease" sounds ominous and scary.
It's common for people who don't believe in these conditions to dismissively say they are not really "diseases. The classification, though, has no bearing on whether they exist or how serious they are.
It's simply a matter of how well they're understood. So what's the difference? The definition of syndrome is pretty straight forward: a collection of signs and symptoms known to frequently appear together. We're learning more about the various physiological problems associated with FMS—such as neurotransmitter dysregulation and immune system irregularities—but so far, researchers have not uncovered the underlying cause or causes of these problems.
This is one reason FMS isn't classified as a disease. However, as we gain more knowledge, we're likely getting closer to re-classification. Defining disease is a little more complicated. Some medical dictionaries define it as a disorder in a system or organ that affects the body's function. That's not very helpful, because with FMS, we can point to multiple disorders in systems and organs that affect our bodies.
Other medical dictionaries offer a clearer distinction:. On top of not knowing the causes of FMS, signs, and symptoms are too variable and often point to numerous possible causes, and researchers have failed to find anatomic alterations that are consistent enough to stand up to scientific scrutiny. It, however, was fortunate enough to have a government panel go over extensive evidence that was convincing enough for the disease designation.
Something similar hasn't happened with FMS. Support from your family can make your condition easier to bear by spending time with you on good days as well as the bad days. A diagnosis can put you in a better position to manage your symptoms — even if there are still some mysteries surrounding your disease.
If chronic pain and fatigue make you want to stay in bed a lot of the time, you may have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Find out how doctors diagnose and treat these mysterious conditions. Learn more about vaccine availability. Advertising Policy. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Related Articles. Trending Topics.
What Parents Need to Know. At this time, there is no cure but there are medications and treatments that can reduce symptoms.
Working with a health care provider who is familiar with the condition and has knowledge of the latest treatments is the best way to treat it. Chronic fatigue syndrome CFS is another complex disorder that is very similar to fibromyalgia. Although they are two separate conditions, the latest research suggests that there may be a connection between fibromyalgia and CFS.
Typically fatigue may worsen with mental or physical activity but remains normal with rest. Despite over 25 years of research, the medical field still is not certain what causes CFS. However, links have been made between the disease and viral reactivation, systematic brain inflammation, or autoimmunity.
Age, environment, previous illnesses, stress, and genetics may also play a role. As with fibromyalgia, there are no x-rays or specific blood tests that can be used to diagnose CFS, however, your health care provider may order tests to rule out other health problems. A thorough health history and physical examination are often sufficient for diagnosing CFS.
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