Fibromyalgia - How Did I Get It?
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What causes Fibromyalgia (FM)? There is no ONE known cause for Fibromyalgia, but researchers are discovering new information about this condition and it may not be long before we have a more definitive answer. Researchers are focusing mainly on: autonomic nervous system dysfunction, chronic sleep disorders, emotional stress or trauma, immune or endocrine system dysfunction, upper spinal cord injury and viral, bacterial infection as causes of FM. <br><br>There is exciting research in the areas of brain imaging and neurosurgery. Ongoing research will test the hypothesis that FM is caused by an interpretative defect in the central nervous system which causes abnormal pain perception. <br> <br>Substance P - Recent studies have shown that people with FM process pain differently. There is a chemical in our cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) called Substance P that transmits pain impulses to the brain. Substance P is 3 times higher in Fibromyalgia sufferers than the average person. <br><br>fMRI - FM patients are not only more sensitive to pain, but the pain also effects the mood centers in the brain. This data has been proven through a brain scan called functional magnetic resonance imaging or fMRI, which allows researchers to observe the brain's responses to pain in healthy people versus FM patients.<br><br>Trauma - Some scientists believe that FM is caused by a traumatic event like a fall, a car accident, lifting something incorrectly, etc. <br><br>Sleep - Some believe Fibromyalgia is caused by chronic sleep problems. It is during stage 4 sleep that the body renews itself and muscles recover from the activity. Sleep studies show that as FM patients enter stage 4 sleep, they stay in a lighter form of sleep. You may sleep longer, but your quality of sleep is poor. <br><br>Genetics - Some speculate that a person's genes may regulate the way his/her body processes painful stimuli. This suggests that people with fibromyalgia may have a gene or genes that cause them to react intensely to stimuli that most people would not consider painful. <br><br>Infection - Some researchers believe that a viral or bacterial infection may trigger fibromyalgia. <br><br>Serotonin - Serotonin is a brain nerve chemical and is found to be lower in FM patients. It is one of the major neurotransmitters in the body. It affects sleep, pain thresholds, vascular constriction. It also plays a prominent role in depression
About the Author
I am 40-year-old, Stay-at-Home mom with 3 children and a husband in the military. I have had FM for almost 20 years
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