What Causes Fibromyalgia?
It's not clear why some people develop fibromyalgia. The exact cause is unknown, but it's likely a number of factors are involved.
Below are some of the main factors thought to contribute to the condition.
Abnormal pain messages
One of the main theories is that people with fibromyalgia have developed changes in the way the central nervous system processes the pain messages carried around the body. This could be due to changes to chemicals in the nervous system.
The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) transmits information all over your body through a network of specialised cells. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of, and extreme sensitivity to, pain.
Chemical imbalances
Research has found that people with fibromyalgia have abnormally low levels of the hormones serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine in their brains.
Low levels of these hormones may be a key factor in the cause of fibromyalgia, as they are important in regulating things such as mood, appetite, sleep, behaviour and your response to stressful situations.
These hormones also play a role in processing pain messages sent by the nerves. Increasing the hormone levels with medication can disrupt these signals.
Some researchers have also suggested that changes in the levels of some other hormones may contribute to fibromyalgia, such as cortisol (a hormone released when the body is under stress).
Sleep problems
It's possible that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause of fibromyalgia, rather than just a symptom.
Fibromyalgia can prevent you from sleeping deeply and cause fatigue (extreme tiredness). People with the condition who sleep badly can also have higher levels of pain, suggesting that these sleep problems contribute to the other symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Genetics Research has suggested that genetics may play a small part in the development of fibromyalgia, with some people perhaps more likely than others to develop the condition because of their genes (the units of genetic material inherited from their parents).
If this is the case, a genetic predisposition (tendency) could explain why many people develop fibromyalgia after some sort of trigger.
Possible triggers
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by a stressful event, including physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers for the condition include:
Associated conditions
There are several other conditions that are often associated with fibromyalgia. Generally, these are rheumatic conditions (conditions affecting the joints, muscles and bones), such as:
*Source: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Causes.aspx
Below are some of the main factors thought to contribute to the condition.
Abnormal pain messages
One of the main theories is that people with fibromyalgia have developed changes in the way the central nervous system processes the pain messages carried around the body. This could be due to changes to chemicals in the nervous system.
The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) transmits information all over your body through a network of specialised cells. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of, and extreme sensitivity to, pain.
Chemical imbalances
Research has found that people with fibromyalgia have abnormally low levels of the hormones serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine in their brains.
Low levels of these hormones may be a key factor in the cause of fibromyalgia, as they are important in regulating things such as mood, appetite, sleep, behaviour and your response to stressful situations.
These hormones also play a role in processing pain messages sent by the nerves. Increasing the hormone levels with medication can disrupt these signals.
Some researchers have also suggested that changes in the levels of some other hormones may contribute to fibromyalgia, such as cortisol (a hormone released when the body is under stress).
Sleep problems
It's possible that disturbed sleep patterns may be a cause of fibromyalgia, rather than just a symptom.
Fibromyalgia can prevent you from sleeping deeply and cause fatigue (extreme tiredness). People with the condition who sleep badly can also have higher levels of pain, suggesting that these sleep problems contribute to the other symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Genetics Research has suggested that genetics may play a small part in the development of fibromyalgia, with some people perhaps more likely than others to develop the condition because of their genes (the units of genetic material inherited from their parents).
If this is the case, a genetic predisposition (tendency) could explain why many people develop fibromyalgia after some sort of trigger.
Possible triggers
Fibromyalgia is often triggered by a stressful event, including physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers for the condition include:
- an injury
- a viral infection
- having an operation
- the breakdown of a relationship
- being in an abusive relationship
- the death of a loved one
Associated conditions
There are several other conditions that are often associated with fibromyalgia. Generally, these are rheumatic conditions (conditions affecting the joints, muscles and bones), such as:
- osteoarthritis – where damage to the joints causes pain and stiffness
- lupus – where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues in various places in the body
- rheumatoid arthritis – where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the joints, causing pain and swelling
- ankylosing spondylitis – swelling and pain in the joints and tissues occurring in parts of the spine
- temporomandibular disorder (TMD) – a condition that can cause pain in the jaw, cheeks, ears and temples
*Source: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/Causes.aspx