Fibromyalgia Pain - The Basics

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that is characterized by severe widespread pain throughout the body and points of extreme tenderness. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia, experience this pain often on a daily basis with accompanying bouts of fatigue. Even with no outward signs, doctors now believe that the pain has a cause within the nervous system.

Fibromyalgia is a way of life for a small percentage of the country but that amounts to a lot of people. Women in their mid-30s to mid-50s are the usual sufferers but it is not uncommon for men, older adults, and even children to develop the condition.

At one time, fibromyalgia sufferers thought they were going crazy. Pain in the joints, muscles, and tendons along with fatigue and other symptoms sent them to the doctor time and time again. Test results showed nothing abnormal but the pain still persisted. Even the body didn’t corroborate the pain with any visible signs. Tissues and organs showed no inflammation.

The current take on the cause of the pain is that it originates in the central nervous system. For some reason, the brain responses to pain are more sensitive than they normally are supposed to be. People who suffer from fibromyalgia have intense pain responses to touches that aren’t meant to cause such pain.

It is suspected that some nerve pain or trauma involving the pain receptors is the root of the condition for some people. It’s as if the neurons (pain receptors in the brain) remember the pain and are on guard when it happens again, often responding with an increased sensitivity. This sensitivity even extends to disruptions in sleep patterns. Levels of serotonin have been found to be lower in fibromyalgia sufferers and they have trouble reaching deep restorative sleep at night. The lack of a restful night’s sleep contributes to the fatigue experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers.

Researchers also suspect that people who experience certain conditions are more prone to develop fibromyalgia: those with a history of injuries to the upper spine, infections, or malfunctions of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system controls nerve stimulation of involuntary functions: vessel dilation, heart beating, respirations, and the like. Lack of REM and conditions like restless leg syndrome help bring about fatigue.

Since most of the sufferers are women, changes in metabolism and hormonal levels may also play a part in the development of fibromyalgia. No one condition can be pinpointed but there are certain commonalities that show up in fibromyalgia patients.

The pain experienced can range from mild to severe. Some sufferers find that they can’t work or go about their daily tasks with any success. People often withdraw from social interactions with friends or family because of the pain they endure.

Those who suffer from fibromyalgia are not alone. New treatments and a general understanding of the basics of the condition offer greater hope for support in managing the pain.