When asked what the term fibromyalgia means during the candid interview with Winfrey, Gaga responded by saying: “That is a very big question Oprah,” before going on to describe it as a “chronic pain condition”.
She added: “It makes your body hurt through your brain… even sitting here with you today I’m in head to toe pain.”
The NHS describes the condition, which is also known as FMS as a long-term condition that causes “pain all over the body”. Although the exact cause remains unknown, it is thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain.
These chemicals change the way that the central nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord and nerves, process messages carried around the body, leading to severe symptoms.
Along with an increased sensitivity to pain, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- Muscle stiffness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Problems with mental processes (known as “fibro-fog”), such as problems with memory and concentration
- Headaches
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating.
