What Causes Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia has been a largely misunderstood physical disorder for years. It is not known exactly what causes fibromyalgia. Some researchers believe that is may be have a hereditary disposition and that it is possibly brought on by excess stress—either a one-time event or stress over time. Now doctors and researchers have discovered commonalities among fibromyalgia sufferers which may point to a combination of causes to the disorder.

·        Central Nervous System Malfunction: New research points to abnormal levels of “neurotransmitters” (chemicals that carry nerve signals from the body to the brain) and/or hormone levels in fibromyalgia patients. It seems that the two primary chemicals affected are serotonin, which relates to sleep, migraines, and depression, and substance P, also associated with depression as well as anxiety and stress.

·        Disrupted Sleep: Traditionally thought to be only a side-effect of fibromyalgia, disrupted sleep could also be a cause to the syndrome. It is thought that fibromyalgia get very little deep sleep. During stage 4 sleep, the deepest level of sleep when muscles recover from use, patients become aroused to a lighter level of sleep. 

·        Decreased Immune Efficiency: Immune system abnormalities are also common among fibromyalgia patients. Some researchers believe this deficient to be caused by an accumulation of toxins in the body.

·        Injury: There is a correlation between traumatic events and the onset of fibromyalgia. Injuries, especially to the upper spinal area, are the most common links.

·        Infection: Viral and bacterial infections may lead to a fibromyalgia incidence. The Epstein-barr has proven to be more common among sufferers.

·        Changes in muscle metabolism. Differences in metabolism and abnormalities in neuroendocrine (activity of the nerves) processes might play a role.

This is not a conclusive list of possible causes of fibromyalgia. Research daily brings new answers to this complicated disorder. Other causes being considered among scientists and doctors are yeast overgrowth, hypothalamus over-activation, malabsorption of the digestive system and poor nutrition, the presence of parasites, magnesium deficiency and even lack of exercise.