FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome that is both common and debilitating, causing both physical and mental distress. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can be mistaken for those of arthritis, as they include widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and sleep, memory, and mood issues. However, unlike arthritis, fibromyalgia does not cause joint or muscle inflammation and damage. Instead, it is classified as a rheumatic condition, causing soft tissue or myofascial pain.


According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), approximately 5 million adults aged 18 years or older in the United States experience fibromyalgia. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way the brain processes pain signals.



While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, treatment options include medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes such as exercise and stress reduction. With proper management, individuals with fibromyalgia can lead productive and fulfilling lives.


    Common Symptoms Include:

        • Widespread pain
        • Jaw pain and stiffness
        • Pain and tiredness in the face muscles and adjacent fibrous tissues
        • Stiff joints and muscles in the morning
        • Headaches
        • Irregular sleep patterns
        • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
        • Painful menstrual periods
        • Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
        • Restless leg syndrome (RLS)
        • Sensitivity to cold or heat
        • Difficulties with memory and concentration, known as “fibro-fog”
        • Fatigue
        • Cognitive difficulties

    Causes:

        The exact cause of fibromyalgia is unclear. However, current thinking in the field of Rheumatology suggests that fibromyalgia is a problem with central pain processing in the brain, where there may be an increased sensitivity or perception of pain to a given trigger. Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.


        Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression.

There is a range of likely risk factors, including:

  • Stressful, traumatic physical or emotional event, such as a car accident
  • Repetitive injuries
  • Rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus
  • Central nervous system (CNS) problems
  • Not moving enough
  • The way our genes regulate how we process painful stimuli
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Research suggests that this condition may involve changes in the way the brain and nervous system process pain signals. Studies have shown that people with fibromyalgia have abnormal levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are involved in pain signaling. Furthermore, the pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord may become more sensitive to pain signals over time, leading to a heightened response to pain.

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