Causes Of Fibromyalgia


Researchers are working to put the pieces of the puzzle together but have not yet identified what the causes of fibromyalgia are. Studies have shown however that two common elements have been found in patients:

  1. A family history of fibromyalgia (genetics).
  2. Stressful or traumatic events such as: car accident, repetitive motion injury, infections or illness

While research has not yet identified the causes of fibromyalgia, studies have identified a number of factors that can trigger (or make worse) fibromyalgia aches and pains:

  • overexertion
  • stress
  • lack of exercise
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • lack of sleep or sleep disturbances
  • trauma
  • extremes of temperature or humidity
  • infectious illness

We do not yet have a complete picture, however many experts believe the condition is brought on by complex, abnormal responses to stress and could be linked to a genetic predisposition. Studies are showing that the parts of your brain and central nervous system that deal with pain signals work differently with FMS patients than from other people’s. This is called central sensitization.

Experts are learning a lot about what leads to FMS, but they’re still not clear on why these things lead to FMS in some and not in others.

Fibromyalgia is grouped into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary FMS is the most common and is also called “idopathic” FMS, meaning it has an unknown cause. Secondary FMS is associated with other conditions and appears either after or in conjunction with other medical problems, usually one of the following:

  • Physical injury, especially to the neck
  • Ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that affects the spine)
  • Surgery
  • Lyme disease (May trigger FMS even after Lyme has been treated)
  • Hepatitis C (some studies hint at this association)
  • Endometriosis

Suspected causes of primary FMS include chronic sleep disturbance, abnormalities in brain chemicals and hormones, psychological and social effects, and muscle abnormalities.

For more on this and other fibromyalgia information, please visit some of the links on this page.