Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain disorder. It is often accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory, and mood issues. Through research it is believed to amplify painful sensations by affecting the way an individuals brain processes pain signals. Symptoms of fibromyalgia often develop after physical trauma, surgery, infection, or significant psychological stress. However there have been cases of symptoms gradually accumulating over time with no significant triggering event.
With Fibromyalgia, women are more likely to develop the disorder than men are. Individuals that have suffer with fibromyalgia also likely have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowl syndrome (IBS), anxiety, and depression. There is currently no cure for fibromyalgia but there are ways to manage it. Medications, exercise, relaxation and stress-reducing can help with management of fibromyalgia pain. (Not everything works for every person.)
What are some symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Symptoms of fibromyalgia may include the following:
Widespread Pain: The pain that is often associated with fibromyalgia is described as a constant dull aching that has lasted for three or more months. For the pain to be attributed to fibromyalgia it has to be on both sides of the body and all over it. (Above and Below the waist.)
Fatigue: Individuals suffering with fibromyalgia report that even with sleeping long periods of time, they awake tired. Sleep can be disrupted by pain and many individuals with fibromyalgia have other sleep related disorders such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea.
Cognitive difficulties: A symptom that is referred to as "fibro fog" that impairs the ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate on mental tasks.
Fibromyalgia can often exist with other painful conditions such as: Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS), Migraines (and other types of headaches), painful bladder syndrome, Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), or Multiple Sclerosis.
What causes Fibromyalgia?
Doctors do not know the root cause of Fibromyalgia. They do however know that it most likely involves a variety of factors working together. The factors are the following:
Genetics: Fibromyalgia tends to run in families, this means there may be certain genetic mutations that make individuals more susceptible to developing this condition.
Infections: Illnesses can cause Fibromyalgia to come to the forefront or aggravate the existing condition.
Physical or emotional trauma: Physical trauma can cause Fibromyalgia to come to the forefront. For example, a car crash can cause the existing condition to become aggravated. Psychological stress can also be a trigger for starting the condition to become aggravated enough to be noticeable.
Why does Fibromyalgia cause pain?
Research suggests that repeated nerve stimulation causes individuals with Fibromyalgia brains to change. This change can cause an abnormal increase in levels of chemicals in the brain that causes pain signals. (Neurotransmitters) In addition to this chemical change, the brain's pain receptors develop a sort of pain memory. It can cause the body to become more sensitive and more receptive to overreact to pain.
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