Fibromyalgia Causes - Contributing Factors

What are the typical fibromyalgia causes?

Though doctors are not sure what causes fibromyalgia, it is their belief it concerns the sensation center, and people suffer from it due to such factors as genetics, infections or emotional and / or physical trauma.

It is believed that those suffering from fibromyalgia have, for one of the above reasons, a lower threshold of pain due to increased sensitivity at the brain level, and this has taken place because of the repeated stimulation of the nerves.

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin send pain signals from the brain to various areas of the body. This abnormal increase is somehow recorded as a memory of the pain (this is actually the basis of the sensitivity), causing the over-stimulation of pain signals. It is therefore thought that by increasing levels of the neurotransmitters, which is in itself associated with anxiety reducing properties, it will help alleviate a good deal of the pain.

Studies have also linked fibromyalgia causes to some sort of trauma to the nervous system. It is thought that lower pain thresholds are caused by the reduced ability of the body's natural painkillers (endorphins) to work effectively. This generally results when there is an increased amount of 'substance P' - a chemical that amplifies pain signals.

While some are widening their search on fibromyalgia causes into the above areas, others are following courses that include hormonal disturbances and / or chemical imbalances that interfere with nerve signaling. Still others link the mysterious disorder with stress or heredity reasons. Regarding the exact fibromyalgia causes, though surrounded by more questions than answers, most researchers tend to agree fibromyalgia is a series of events - whether physical or emotional - taking place, rather than just one.

Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Having discussed a little on fibromyalgia causes, let us now move on to the possible signs and symptoms of the condition.

While the symptoms and signs of fibromyalgia vary from person to person, with sufferers claiming anything from the weather to stress to physical activity to the time of day, the pain associated with the disorder is generally described as dull and constant, and typically arises from the muscles.

Pain from firm pressure applied to certain areas is referred to as tender points. These point locations are generally at the back of the head, the top of the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, the neck (front/sides), upper chest, hips or sides of hips, the outer elbow, and / or inner knees.

Related Health Ailments

When you couple this with the fact that most fibromyalgia sufferers do not seem to be able to get enough sleep (due to what researchers believe as an inability to reach the restorative stage of sleep), it is no wonder the disease is linked to sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome. This is probably why chronic fatigue syndrome seems to go hand in hand with fibromyalgia, too.

Other disorders linked to the condition are endometriosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or osteoarthritis. Because of these associated conditions, many fibromyalgia sufferers often experience headaches and combat depression.

Over time, as the link between fibromyalgia and these conditions are better studied, more on fibromyalgia causes would perhaps also be better understood.

Other Factors

Though both men and women suffer fibromyalgia, women are by far more apt to be afflicted with it. It also tends to develop through the middle years of life, though it does also occur in children as well as those who are older.

People are more likely to develop the condition if a family member has it, or if they suffer such diseases as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis; these are possible contributing fibromyalgia causes. Whether it is because of the underlying disease or the fibromyalgia itself, the symptoms surrounding the condition interfere with a person's ability to work, or to have meaningful relationships.

Learn more about this ailment by reading the other related fibromyalgia articles and pages.

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