Fibromyalgia and It's Partners In Pain

Do you wake up every day in pain, without any specific accident that you can recall? Do you stay up all night, tossing and turning, unable to sleep? You could be suffering from the pain symptoms of Fibromyalgia and a related ailment.

The root cause of the disorder is still unclear, but researchers say it has more to do with the chemicals and pathways in the brain than the actual muscles and tissues themselves. 

One of the treatments for Fibromyalgia Syndrome is, surprisingly, a sleeping pill!

Unfortunately, Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome go together like peanut butter and jelly. Researchers point out two possible causes of the Fibromyalgia and fatigue; the first being that since MRIs for patients with Fibromyalgia show brain signals lighting up in the same areas continuously, the neurons simply get worn out and leave the patient more sensitive to pain and soreness.

The other possible cause for tiredness has to do with body chemicals, or dopamine and adrenal fatigue. Since the body is constantly producing stress-related chemicals on a normal basis, it's unable to produce enough "feel-good" chemicals to enable rewarding sleep cycles.

Not only is Fibromyalgia linked to bizarre brain activity, but researchers are now looking into the connection between Fibromyalgia and reproductive health as well!

Roughly 85-90% of the patients with Fibromyalgia are women. Women with chronic pain syndromes are more likely to have breast cysts, greater stiffness during pregnancy, as well as severe headaches and abdominal cramping during PMS. Many women find the onset of Fibromyalgia concurrent with menopause, which may be related to lowering levels of estrogen and cortisol.
 
Fibromyalgia and disability are inextricably linked. The most recent study shows that 60% of patients with Fibromyalgia are in such severe pain that they require welfare or some other form of social assistance because they cannot hold a job or get a good night's rest.

Because Fibromyalgia and disability are so linked, commercials and information pamphlets distributed by the National Fibromyalgia Association are aimed at thrusting this incapacitating disorder into the national spotlight. Hopefully, with a little understanding and a lot of research, the causes and cures can be found.