Fibromyalgia is a complex but treatable syndrome.
Fibromyalgia is a common yet very complex and often misunderstood illness, so complex it is often misdiagnosed. Current medical theory believes that this syndrome is caused by a lowered pain threshold due to a heightening of pain signals in the brain. The neurotransmitters, also called the pain receptors, in the brain are affected by an over abundance of specific chemicals. In normal amounts these chemicals cause you to feel pain normally, but when the chemicals are over produced they can cause a hypersensitivity to pain. Over time the neurotransmitters themselves appear to experience a memory to the pain, which caused the pain receptors themselves to become hypersensitive to pain stimuli without any chemicals needing to be present.
Risk Factors For Fibromyalgia
While there are not any specific causes of fibromyalgia, there are some factors that can make you more likely to be afflicted by this illness.
- Your Sex - Women are more likely to be affected by this disease. Some research shows that women are 10 times more likely to be affected than men.
- History of Rheumatic Diseases - If you have a history of rheumatic disease, like arthritis, you may have an increased chance to develop fibromyalgia.
- Your Genetics - A family history of fibromyalgia may make you more predisposed due to possible genetic mutations.
- Recent Infections - If you have had a recent infection or illness it may have caused the fibro or even made it worse.
- Physical Injury - A recent physical injury is a potential trigger for fibromyalgia.
- Emotional Trauma - Similar to a PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) a painful emotional episode may have caused your hypersensitivity to pain.
