Causes
Fibromyalgia is not well understand, yet, but as of now Fibro is considered to be a Rheumatic Disorder. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), 90% of Fibro patients are women, however men and children may still be affected. People who suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Lupus, or Spinal Arthritis (ankylosing spondylitis), have a higher risk of developing Fibro in addition to their primary conditions.
Many abnormalities of hormonal, metabolic, and brain chemical activity have been described in studies of Fibromyalgia patients. Changes appear to occur in several brain chemicals, although no regular pattern has emerged that fits most patients. Since there has been no clear cause-and-effect relationship established, it may be that Fibromyalgia is a result of the effects of pain and stress on the central nervous system, which lead to changes in brain circuitry, as opposed to a brain disorder itself. Other theories are centered around a correlation between ATP (cellular-energy) and FMS, low levels of serotonin and FMS, yeast production and FM, and more. There is no black and white answer as to what causes Fibromyalgia - and (partly) because of that, there is not a clear path as to what the best way to treat FMS is. What is important to remember however, is that the causes of Fibromyalgia may be different in different individuals. The point? Educate yourself, Engage in the Information Share (my information on ATP came from a friend via social media who is focused on keeping in the loop on her illness and sharing what she finds out..), and Be Your Own Advocate!
A Few of the Most Popular Theories About: The Causes of Fibromyalgia
ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP for short, is produced by almost all living things. ATP is produced in a cell's organelles called mitochondria and is not an energy source itself but more of a "cache memory" for energy (in the sense that it holds the energy then releases it into the body). Specifically: ATP temporarily stores energy in it's phosphodiester bonds, once that third bond is created it breaks and energy is released that the body needs. Think of ATP of a battery - the battery needs to get fully charged and once that battery is charged it sets off a spark of energy that can be used in the body! The human body and the majority of all living things require a continual supply of energy.
How does this information relate to Fibromyalgia? ATP is the major energy source for just about everything we do, and as you know from reading my What Is Fibromyalgia section, 90% of patients with FMS suffer from Chronic Fatigue. Knowing that, and your newfound knowledge about the function of ATP in our bodies, please read the following excerpt from FibroFactPage website:
"It has been theorized that diminished kidney function in fibromyalgia patients disrupts the Krebs cycle, or the cycle by which the body rids itself of waste materials. Fibromyalgia patients may not be able to efficiently rid their bodies of excess phosphate, which causes the mitochondria to produce less ATP (cellular energy), and leaves those with FMS chronically fatigued. It is worth noting that the greatest concentration of mitochondria is in the brain and muscle cells, which seems to support this theory—muscle pain and cognitive disorders are two of the most common and debilitating conditions associated with fibromyalgia.
In addition, excess phosphate in the system causes the body to import more calcium into the cell, which is not a good thing, since calcium signals the cell to work harder, and further exhausts the cells to the point where tissues are being commanded to perform around the clock. This unending demand on muscle tissue can cause palpable lumps to form in muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as they are in a in a state of constant contraction. "
Muscle Function and Capillary Theory - Plus, ATP Continued:
Some researchers have seen overly thickened capillaries (capillaries are tiny blood vessels) in the muscles of patients tested with FMS. These abnormal capillaries could produce lower levels of compounds essential for muscle function & reduce the flow of oxygen rich blood to your muscles. Moreover, scientists believe there are biochemical abnormalities especially when in regards to muscle function. According to their research, patients with FMS may have lower levels of the muscle-cell chemicals known as phosphocreatine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - these chemicals regulate the level of calcium in muscle cells. Calcium is a very important component in the muscles' ability to contract and relax (**people with FMS are met with continually tight muscles, leading to injury, knots, muscle spasms and more) - therefore if ATP levels are low, then calcium is now "pushed back" into cells and muscle remains in a contracted state.
Although this section is serious and completely based on facts and research, I do have research anecdotal evidence (am I getting to nerdy for you? It means using my personal experience/telling my story as evidence) that may help you relate on a more personal level to the Muscle Function Theory Re: Calcium's role in contracting and relaxing the muscles in our bodies. Patients with FMS often find themselves tensed up without realizing or meaning to be. Watching television, sitting at work, or just having a conversation at the dinner table, Fibro Fighters will have their arms tensed and flexed, maybe learning forward because of a flexed back - all unbeknownst to the FM patient. I personally do something that I call "Personal Inventory" every time I am sitting, laying or standing for long periods. Personal Inventory consists of bringing my attention back to my body from whatever I was doing, for just long enough to do the following: acknowledge your muscles and the position your body is in - am I tensing my muscles? Am I flexing my feet? Am I leaning forward or unknowingly contorting my body in an odd way to find a comfortable position? If so, I close my eyes and relax my body one muscle at a time until I have gotten back to a normal, relaxed position. And..Back to what you were doing. The Personal Inventory is a means of 're-booting' to avoid muscle cramping, knots, spasms, and excruciating stiffness when you go to get up because you didn't realize you were tensing and contorting your body like a scared bunny meets Cirque du Soleil contortionist.
Serotonin: Of particular interest to researchers is serotonin, an important nervous system chemical messenger found in the brain, gut, and other areas of the body. Serotonin plays important roles in creating feelings of well-being, adjusting pain levels, and promoting deep sleep. Serotonin abnormalities have been linked to many disorders, including depression, migraines, and irritable bowel syndrome. Lower serotonin levels have also been noted in some patients with Fibromyalgia.
Stress Hormones: Researchers have also found abnormalities in the hormone system known as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland (HAP) axis. The HAP axis controls important functions, including sleep, stress response, and depression. Changes in the HAP axis appear to produce lower levels of the stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol. (By contrast, levels of stress hormones in depression are higher than normal.) Lower levels of stress hormones lead to impaired responses to psychological or physical stresses. (Examples of physical stress include infection or exercise.)
Substance P (Cerebrospinal Fluid CSF):
While there is no known cause for fibromyalgia, recent research has revealed some new facts about the disease. One of the newest research breakthroughs is that people with FM process pain differently. The level of chemical in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) called Substance P, which transmits pain impulses to the brain, is three times higher in people with the disease than in those who do not have the condition. This likely causes someone with Fibromyalgia to experience pain more intensely.
Many abnormalities of hormonal, metabolic, and brain chemical activity have been described in studies of Fibromyalgia patients. Changes appear to occur in several brain chemicals, although no regular pattern has emerged that fits most patients. Since there has been no clear cause-and-effect relationship established, it may be that Fibromyalgia is a result of the effects of pain and stress on the central nervous system, which lead to changes in brain circuitry, as opposed to a brain disorder itself. Other theories are centered around a correlation between ATP (cellular-energy) and FMS, low levels of serotonin and FMS, yeast production and FM, and more. There is no black and white answer as to what causes Fibromyalgia - and (partly) because of that, there is not a clear path as to what the best way to treat FMS is. What is important to remember however, is that the causes of Fibromyalgia may be different in different individuals. The point? Educate yourself, Engage in the Information Share (my information on ATP came from a friend via social media who is focused on keeping in the loop on her illness and sharing what she finds out..), and Be Your Own Advocate!
A Few of the Most Popular Theories About: The Causes of Fibromyalgia
ATP: Adenosine Triphosphate, or ATP for short, is produced by almost all living things. ATP is produced in a cell's organelles called mitochondria and is not an energy source itself but more of a "cache memory" for energy (in the sense that it holds the energy then releases it into the body). Specifically: ATP temporarily stores energy in it's phosphodiester bonds, once that third bond is created it breaks and energy is released that the body needs. Think of ATP of a battery - the battery needs to get fully charged and once that battery is charged it sets off a spark of energy that can be used in the body! The human body and the majority of all living things require a continual supply of energy.
How does this information relate to Fibromyalgia? ATP is the major energy source for just about everything we do, and as you know from reading my What Is Fibromyalgia section, 90% of patients with FMS suffer from Chronic Fatigue. Knowing that, and your newfound knowledge about the function of ATP in our bodies, please read the following excerpt from FibroFactPage website:
"It has been theorized that diminished kidney function in fibromyalgia patients disrupts the Krebs cycle, or the cycle by which the body rids itself of waste materials. Fibromyalgia patients may not be able to efficiently rid their bodies of excess phosphate, which causes the mitochondria to produce less ATP (cellular energy), and leaves those with FMS chronically fatigued. It is worth noting that the greatest concentration of mitochondria is in the brain and muscle cells, which seems to support this theory—muscle pain and cognitive disorders are two of the most common and debilitating conditions associated with fibromyalgia.
In addition, excess phosphate in the system causes the body to import more calcium into the cell, which is not a good thing, since calcium signals the cell to work harder, and further exhausts the cells to the point where tissues are being commanded to perform around the clock. This unending demand on muscle tissue can cause palpable lumps to form in muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as they are in a in a state of constant contraction. "
Muscle Function and Capillary Theory - Plus, ATP Continued:
Some researchers have seen overly thickened capillaries (capillaries are tiny blood vessels) in the muscles of patients tested with FMS. These abnormal capillaries could produce lower levels of compounds essential for muscle function & reduce the flow of oxygen rich blood to your muscles. Moreover, scientists believe there are biochemical abnormalities especially when in regards to muscle function. According to their research, patients with FMS may have lower levels of the muscle-cell chemicals known as phosphocreatine and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - these chemicals regulate the level of calcium in muscle cells. Calcium is a very important component in the muscles' ability to contract and relax (**people with FMS are met with continually tight muscles, leading to injury, knots, muscle spasms and more) - therefore if ATP levels are low, then calcium is now "pushed back" into cells and muscle remains in a contracted state.
Although this section is serious and completely based on facts and research, I do have research anecdotal evidence (am I getting to nerdy for you? It means using my personal experience/telling my story as evidence) that may help you relate on a more personal level to the Muscle Function Theory Re: Calcium's role in contracting and relaxing the muscles in our bodies. Patients with FMS often find themselves tensed up without realizing or meaning to be. Watching television, sitting at work, or just having a conversation at the dinner table, Fibro Fighters will have their arms tensed and flexed, maybe learning forward because of a flexed back - all unbeknownst to the FM patient. I personally do something that I call "Personal Inventory" every time I am sitting, laying or standing for long periods. Personal Inventory consists of bringing my attention back to my body from whatever I was doing, for just long enough to do the following: acknowledge your muscles and the position your body is in - am I tensing my muscles? Am I flexing my feet? Am I leaning forward or unknowingly contorting my body in an odd way to find a comfortable position? If so, I close my eyes and relax my body one muscle at a time until I have gotten back to a normal, relaxed position. And..Back to what you were doing. The Personal Inventory is a means of 're-booting' to avoid muscle cramping, knots, spasms, and excruciating stiffness when you go to get up because you didn't realize you were tensing and contorting your body like a scared bunny meets Cirque du Soleil contortionist.
Serotonin: Of particular interest to researchers is serotonin, an important nervous system chemical messenger found in the brain, gut, and other areas of the body. Serotonin plays important roles in creating feelings of well-being, adjusting pain levels, and promoting deep sleep. Serotonin abnormalities have been linked to many disorders, including depression, migraines, and irritable bowel syndrome. Lower serotonin levels have also been noted in some patients with Fibromyalgia.
Stress Hormones: Researchers have also found abnormalities in the hormone system known as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal gland (HAP) axis. The HAP axis controls important functions, including sleep, stress response, and depression. Changes in the HAP axis appear to produce lower levels of the stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol. (By contrast, levels of stress hormones in depression are higher than normal.) Lower levels of stress hormones lead to impaired responses to psychological or physical stresses. (Examples of physical stress include infection or exercise.)
Substance P (Cerebrospinal Fluid CSF):
While there is no known cause for fibromyalgia, recent research has revealed some new facts about the disease. One of the newest research breakthroughs is that people with FM process pain differently. The level of chemical in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) called Substance P, which transmits pain impulses to the brain, is three times higher in people with the disease than in those who do not have the condition. This likely causes someone with Fibromyalgia to experience pain more intensely.