Fibromyalgia - Causes

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Some fibromyalgia patients may be oversensitive to external stimulation, and overly anxious about the sensation of pain. This increase in awareness is called generalized hypervigilance.

A conflict between sensory perception and nervous system processing might occur in people with fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients have been found to have greater awareness of, or less tolerance for, movement problems (such as tremor) that don't match their expected sensory feedback. This mismatch in sensory signals might enhance the perception of pain. Fibromyalgia patients also seem to be more sensitive to sounds.

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Immune Abnormalities

Fibromyalgia has symptoms that resemble those of some rheumatic illnesses, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus). These are autoimmune diseases in which a defective immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy tissue, producing inflammation and damage. The pain in fibromyalgia, however, does not appear to be due to autoimmune factors, and there is little evidence to support a role for an inflammatory response in fibromyalgia.

Psychological and Social Effects

Although not primary causes, psychological and social factors may contribute to fibromyalgia in three ways:

• They could make individuals susceptible to fibromyalgia.
• They may play some role in triggering the onset of the condition.
• They may perpetuate, or be responsible for, the condition.

Studies have reported higher numbers of severe emotional and physical abuse in patients with fibromyalgia compared with the general population. Most often, the abusers are family members or partners. A history of sexual abuse does not seem to be a risk factor for fibromyalgia. However, women who have been raped may face an increased risk for the disease.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic stress may play a strong role in the development of fibromyalgia in some patients. PTSD, an anxiety disorder, is a reaction to a specific traumatic event. Some evidence indicates that PTSD actually results in changes to the brain, possibly from long-term overexposure to stress hormones.