What Causes Fibromyalgia And How To Pinpoint The Root Cause
Exactly what causes fibromyalgia varies from person to person, but the underlying reason is an imbalance in the central nervous system, specifically in the way our brains process pain signals. This is why individuals with fibromyalgia experience chronic pain from non-threatening stimuli. Studies have found that individuals with fibromyalgia often have lower levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and norepinephrine, which play a role in pain perception.1
Symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread body pain, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, headaches, and cognitive difficulties. Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect roughly 5% of the population worldwide. Fibromyalgia is due to a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.2
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Psychological Factors
Psychological factors, such as stress, trauma, and depression, have been linked to fibromyalgia. It is believed that these factors contribute to both the development and severity of symptoms.3
Fibromyalgia can also have a significant impact on one’s mental health. Many individuals with fibromyalgia experience depression, anxiety, and difficulty coping with the chronic pain and fatigue.4
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Environmental Factors
Environmental factors play a role in the development of fibromyalgia. Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, such as those found in pesticides or heavy metals, may trigger symptoms in some individuals.5
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Neurotoxic Mediated Illness
Fibromyalgia is a neurotoxic mediated illness. Neurotoxicity refers to the damage caused to the nervous system by exposure to harmful chemicals or substances. In the case of fibromyalgia, these neurotoxic substances can come from a variety of sources such as environmental toxins, infectious agents, and certain medications.6
Environmental toxins like air pollution, water contamination, pesticides used in agriculture, and chemicals found in household products cause damage to the nervous system, leading to neurotoxicity.7
Infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites have also been linked to fibromyalgia. These microorganisms produce harmful substances that affect the nervous system and lead to neurotoxicity. In addition, some infections can trigger an immune response that damages the nerves and causes inflammation, further contributing to the development of fibromyalgia.8
Certain antibiotics have also been implicated in causing fibromyalgia. While these medications can effectively treat various medical conditions, they can also have neurotoxic effects that may contribute to the development of fibromyalgia.9
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Heavy Metals
Heavy metals are one of the known causes of fibromyalgia. Heavy metals include lead, mercury, arsenic, and cadmium.10 Research has shown that heavy metals disrupt the central nervous system and immune system, leading to widespread pain and inflammation in the body. This is due to their ability to bind to and damage nerve cells, as well as trigger an autoimmune response.11
In addition, heavy metals have also been linked to symptoms commonly seen in fibromyalgia such as chronic fatigue, brain fog, and sleep disturbances. They can also worsen existing conditions that often coexist with fibromyalgia, including irritable bowel syndrome and chronic headaches.12
Fibromyalgia patients have higher levels of heavy metals in their blood compared to healthy individuals. This suggests that heavy metal exposure not only contributes to the development of fibromyalgia but also plays a role in its severity.13
Read more about the toxic effects of heavy metals.
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Biotoxins
One known cause of fibromyalgia is exposure to biotoxins. Biotoxins are toxins produced by living organisms, such as certain types of bacteria, fungi, and molds. These toxins enter the body through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact and have a wide range of adverse effects on the human body.14
Biotoxins are known to have detrimental effects on various bodily systems, including the nervous system, immune system, and endocrine system. These systems also happen to be closely related to the symptoms experienced by fibromyalgia patients.15
Biotoxins are known to disrupt normal nerve function and contribute to neurological symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and brain fog. They can also trigger an immune response that leads to inflammation and widespread pain in the body. Additionally, biotoxins disrupt the endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating hormones, and this can contribute to hormonal imbalances and symptoms like fatigue and mood changes.16
Biotoxins can be found in various environmental sources, including contaminated food and water, air pollution, and exposure to toxic substances at home or in the workplace. However, one particular type of biotoxin that has been linked to fibromyalgia is mycotoxins.17
Mycotoxins are toxins produced by certain types of mold. Exposure to mycotoxins can occur through direct contact with moldy surfaces or through inhalation of airborne spores. This is especially concerning for individuals living in damp or humid environments, as these conditions promote mold growth.18
Read more about the effects of toxic mold exposure.
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Pesticides
Exposure to certain pesticides has been linked to an increased risk of developing fibromyalgia. Pesticides are substances used to kill pests, such as insects, weeds, and fungi. They are commonly used in agriculture, homes, and public spaces. However, exposure to pesticides has been linked to several health problems, including neurological disorders and chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.19
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Lyme’s Disease
Lyme’s disease is a bacterial infection that is transmitted through tick bites. While it can often be treated with antibiotics, if left untreated, it can lead to long-term complications including chronic pain and fatigue. Some studies have shown a link between Lyme’s disease and the development of fibromyalgia.20
Lyme’s disease triggers an immune response in the body, leading to widespread inflammation and damage to the central nervous system. This damage can then contribute to the development of fibromyalgia, causing chronic pain and fatigue.21
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, leading to an overactive metabolism. Some studies have shown a link between hyperthyroidism and fibromyalgia, with individuals who have both conditions experiencing more severe symptoms than those with only one condition.22
Hormonal imbalances associated with hyperthyroidism contribute to the development of fibromyalgia. Additionally, chronic pain and fatigue caused by fibromyalgia may also be exacerbated by the increased metabolism and heart rate associated with hyperthyroidism.23
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Hormone Dysfunction
Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men, leading some researchers to believe that hormonal imbalances may be a contributing factor. Estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that are present in higher levels in women, have been linked to pain sensitivity and may play a role in the development of fibromyalgia.24
Many women with fibromyalgia report an onset of symptoms around the time of menopause, leading researchers to investigate the potential connection between the two. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, the development or worsening of fibromyalgia symptoms is common.25
Both menopause and fibromyalgia are associated with sleep disturbances. Women going through menopause often experience disrupted sleep due to hot flashes and night sweats, while those with fibromyalgia may also struggle with poor sleep quality. This overlap in symptoms may further exacerbate the impact of both conditions.
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Anxiety
People with fibromyalgia often experience high levels of anxiety due to the constant pain and other symptoms associated with the condition. This can lead to a vicious cycle where the anxiety worsens the symptoms of fibromyalgia and vice versa.26
What Causes Fibromyalgia – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
One cause of fibromyalgia is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. The symptoms of PTSD, such as intense anxiety, flashbacks, and emotional numbness, can be debilitating and impact daily functioning.27
Studies have found a strong association between fibromyalgia and past trauma, with the majority of fibromyalgia patients reporting a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. This suggests that traumatic experiences may trigger changes in the nervous system and immune response, leading to the development of fibromyalgia.28
PTSD causes an imbalance in stress hormones such as cortisol, which can disrupt the body’s pain processing mechanisms. This often leads to an increased sensitivity to pain and fatigue, which are common symptoms of fibromyalgia.29
What Causes Fibromyalgia – The Microbiome
There has been significant research done on fibromyalgia and its connection to the microbiome. When the balance of the gut bacteria is disrupted, it can lead to various health issues, including fibromyalgia. Research has also shown that individuals with fibromyalgia have lower levels of certain beneficial bacteria in their gut compared to those without the condition. Since the gut produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, an imbalance in the gut microbiome disrupts the production of these neurotransmitters, leading to changes in mood and pain perception.30
What Causes Fibromyalgia – NO/ONOO Cycle
Fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions are caused by an imbalance in two important regulatory systems in the body, the nitric oxide (NO) cycle and the peroxynitrite (ONOO) cycle.31
According to the NO/ONOO cycle, when there is an imbalance in the NO and ONOO cycles, it leads to increased levels of peroxynitrite and decreased levels of nitric oxide. This imbalance triggers a cascade of events that ultimately leads to widespread inflammation, oxidative stress, and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia.32
What Causes Fibromyalgia And How To Pinpoint The Root Cause
Accurately identifying exactly what causes fibromyalgia can be a complex and challenging process. By addressing the root cause of fibromyalgia, individuals often find relief from their symptoms and prevent further progression of the condition.
Read more about eating a healthy diet that counteracts fibromyalgia.
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