Widespread pain in the muscles and joints can make daily life very difficult. When such pain persists, it may be the byproduct of an illness known as fibromyalgia.

The Mayo Clinic says fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that is often accompanied by fatigue, and may even affect memory, mood and sleep.

People with fibromyalgia usually experience periodic symptoms that are characterized as flare-ups. It can sometimes be overwhelming and exhausting to navigate fibromyalgia, says the Cleveland Clinic. The periods between feeling good and suddenly having a flare-up can cause anxiety and despair.

Experts aren’t exactly sure what causes fibromyalgia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people ages 30 to 50 are more likely to develop the condition. Women, those with a family history of fibromyalgia, and individuals with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis also are at higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. Doctors know that symptoms tend to follow a triggering event. Triggers may be surgery, infections, injuries, or emotional stress. The Cleveland Clinic says people with fibromyalgia are usually particularly sensitive to pain. It is believed genetic mutations responsible for forming the neurotransmitters in the brain that receive pain signals might cause fibromyalgia, although a direct link has yet to be identified.

Fibromyalgia typically is diagnosed after a physical exam, X-rays, lab tests, and an evaluation of a person’s medical history. There is no cure for fibromyalgia; health care providers treat and manage symptoms with medication and therapy. People with fibromyalgia may identify ways to manage symptoms on their own. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which changes how people act or think, also can help someone cope with negative thoughts about their symptoms, says the CDC.