Where can you possibly begin with explaining what the disease fibromyalgia is? The cause of this disease is not yet known. While the underlying cause or causes of FM still remain a mystery, new research findings continue to bring us closer to understanding the basic understanding of Fibromyalgia. Most researchers agree that FMS is a disorder of central processing with neuroendocrine/neurotransmitter dysregulation. The FMS patient experiences pain due to abnormal sensory processing in the central nervous system. A large number of scientific studies now show multiple physiological abnormalities in the FM patient, which include increased levels of substance P in the spinal cord, low levels of blood flow to the thalamus region of the brain, HPA axis hypofunction, low levels of serotonin and tryptophan and abnormalities in cytokine function. Recent studies show that genetic factors may cause individuals to have a genetic cause of FMS. For some, the onset of Fibromyalgia is slow; however, in a large percentage of patients the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body. These events may act to incite an undetected physiological problem already present. Some researchers feel that fibromyalgia can happen from previous physical or sexual abuse. Others believe fibromyalgia is caused by a defect in the neurotransmitter serotonin. Still others feel it is a central-nervous-system dysfunction. Most people say it started because of an event or events that triggered the illness. It is estimated that approximately 3-6% of the U.S. population has FMS. Although a higher percentage of women are affected, it does happen to men, women and children of all ages and races. Because of its debilitating nature, Fibromyalgia has a serious impact on patients' family, friends, and employers, as well as society at large. .
The symptoms of fibromyalgia are all very much similar in a way. Most people say that they have pain in all different parts of their body.
