5 Things You Never Knew Could Cause Fibromyalgia

Almost five million US adults suffer from Fibromyalgia, according to The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. NIAMS says that about to 90% are women. The symptoms can mimic joint inflammation or arthritis, but it hasn’t been associated with damage. While the disease has no cure, some people can often find some level of relief from painful symptoms with medication. Others find that behavioral therapy, exercise and acupuncture help with the pain and fatigue. The cause of Fibromyalgia has not yet been defined but it is believed that pain perception is caused by a change in the central nervous system. Five surprising events that can cause a Fibromyalgia to present itself have been defined by the medical profession. Events that can cause a flare of Fibromyalgia, even when the disease has never before be present, can be surprising. The causes are wide ranging and sometimes have been well tolerated for a lifetime.

1 - Genetics

Medical professionals have accepted that Fibromyalgia tends to run in families. This points out that genetic mutations may have occurred that make a person more susceptible to the disease. Of course this doesn’t mean that if a close relative has Fibromyalgia you will develop the symptoms, but you could be at a greater risk. Alert your medical provider of your family medical history if you start to experience symptoms. It could help you avoid a lot of expensive medical tests.

2 - Hormones and Brain Chemical Imbalances

With typical Fibromyalgia patients, imbalances in hormones and brain chemicals are revealed. Psychological and physical stresses can cause insufficient responses when the stress hormones are at lower points. Bone and muscle growth can be inhibited. Substance P levels at three times that of normal are typically found in Fibromyalgia patients. This is often associated with causing perceptions of pain to be heightened. Patient also can present a lower level of serotonin. Hormones and brain chemicals control the emotional aspects of pain which can greatly influence the degree to which a patient suffers.

3 - Lingering Effects of Trauma and Emotional Stress

In certain cases, subjects of physical and emotional abuse in childhood can be traced as cause of the suffering of Fibromyalgia sufferers. Traumatic episodes can cause changes to the way the brain handles stress and pain make the victim more susceptible to the disease in later life. In some cases, an adult surviving a traumatic event like rape, war or a car crash can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, also causing the brain to change the way it handles certain situations, including stress and pain.

4 - Infections

Patients often claim that they did not suffer symptoms of Fibromyalgia until they came down with a virus. The pain and fatigue were never overcome afterward. A factor in the development of Fibromyalgia can be a virus such as Epstein Barr. The long term effects of this and hepatitis B, C and influenza causing viruses affect the immune system for an extended period. Bacterial infections like sepsis, salmonella and listeria can also cause Fibromyalgia to develop. Parasite and yeast infections can have also been identified as a cause.

5 - What You Eat

Some people find that their symptoms get worse when they eat certain foods. Keep track of what you eat preceding your symptoms so that you can identify the culprits and eliminate, or at least reduce your consumption. Caffeine, dairy products, eggs, green peppers and potatoes along with other produce from the nightshade family, gluten, and red meat. To identify the foods that may trigger a Fibromyalgia flare, keep a journal of what you eat and your symptoms. If the culprit isn’t immediately apparent, start eliminating risky foods one at a time, tracking your symptoms for 2 or 3 weeks.