What are the causes, risk factors and complications of fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia
According to various researches, the repeated stimulation of the nerves would be at the origin of a change in the brain and the spinal cord of the people affected by fibromyalgia. This change would involve an abnormal increase in the levels of certain chemical substances in the brain, at the origin of the triggering of the pain . In addition, brain pain receptors seem to develop a kind of “pain memory” and become sensitized. This implies that they may or may not overreact to painful cues . There are likely many factors behind these changes , including the following:- Genetics . As this disease tends to be inherited, certain genetic mutations can make the patient more susceptible to developing this disease.
- Infections . Certain conditions seem to trigger or worsen fibromyalgia.
- Physical or emotional events. Fibromyalgia can sometimes be triggered by a physical event, such as a car accident. Prolonged psychological stress can also trigger the disease.
Risk factors
The risk factors for fibromyalgia are:- The sex . Fibromyalgia is diagnosed more often in women than in men.
- Family history . You are more likely to suffer from this pathology if one of your parents or siblings also has this condition.
- Other Disorders. If you have osteoarthritis , rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus, you are more likely to have fibromyalgia.
Complications of fibromyalgia
The pain, fatigue, and poor quality of sleep associated with fibromyalgia can interfere with your ability to function at home or at work. Frustration with an often misunderstood condition can also lead to depression and anxiety, affecting your health.
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