Do you suffer from chronic fatigue and muscle aches ? You may suffer from fibromyalgia. It is estimated that 5 million American adults suffer from this condition. Among these adults, 90 % of the persons affected are women. Unfortunately, this chronic condition can be extremely difficult to treat.
The researchers originally thought the symptoms weren’t just in the patient’s mind. For this reason, fibromyalgia has been categorized as a psychosomatic disorder. This basically means that the doctors thought the illness was caused by the patient’s mind.
All over the world, people complain of shoulder, neck, leg and back pain. Until recently, researchers couldn’t find the cause of the pain.
The recent study was conducted by scientists from Integrated Tissue Dynamics. They look at the fibers of the palm that regulate blood flow. These fibers are equally responsible for the sensation of pain and touch.
To confirm their results, the researchers conducted a second study. They wanted to see the pathology of the blood vessels. The team collected samples from women suffering from fibromyalgia. In these samples, they found an increase in sensory fibers at various locations in the blood vessels of the skin.
The nerves are placed in the deviations of the venous arteriole. These shunts deal with the regulation of body heat by determining the amount of blood circulating in the body. When heated, the deflections contract to force blood to the surface of the skin where it can release heat.
When it cools, the shunts open. This helps the veins to conserve heat around vital organs so that our feet and hands start to cool down.
The lead scientist of the study was Dr Albrecht. He discovered that excessive sensory changes could cause hand pain in patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
Basically, the sensory fibers are responsible for opening the shunts. They’re extremely active when it’s cold, which can cause additional pain for people suffering from fibromyalgia.
During the course of the study, the research team also came up with an additional conclusion. The hands and feet generally contain more blood than they actually need. They basically serve as a reservoir of blood which can be sent to the rest of the body. When shunts don’t work properly, blood flow isn’t properly regulated.
Dr Rice is president of Integrated Tissue Dynamics. According to Dr Rice, the pathology of the deviations could mean that the blood flow of the hands impedes blood flow to the muscles. This could be the main cause of muscle pain and fatigue suffered by patients suffering from fibromyalgia.
Recent research is finally coming to the cause of fibromyalgia. Thanks to this research, patients suffering from fibromyalgia can find the right treatment instead of solely counting on antidepressants and painkillers.
The good news is you’re not crazy. If you suffer from fibromyalgia, it’s not in your mind. Fibromyalgia is certainly caused by changes in the body.
Causes of fibromyalgia
Doctors don’t know why sensory fibers start to change. Currently, they think different factors can work together.
The genetics
Fibromyalgia tends to work in families. For this reason, there may be a genetic mutation that makes a person more likely to develop this chronic disease.
infections
Researchers now know that certain infections can trigger fibromyalgia.
Emotional or physical trauma
In some cases, fibromyalgia develops after a physical trauma such as an injury or car accident. Psychological stress may also play a role in the triggering of the disease.
While researchers have made great strides on the cause, patients still have to take care of themselves. There are some lifestyle changes you can implement to prevent fibromyalgia from getting worse.
To keep your fibromyalgia under control, try to limit the amount of stress in your life. If you can’t get rid of all sources of stress, try using techniques like mindful breathing, yoga or meditation to manage stress. Fatigue is a defining symptom of fibromyalgia, so try to get enough sleep. Eating healthy and exercising regularly can also help. While working out can make it hard to start, it’ll help reduce fibromyalgia symptoms in the long term.
Extend awareness by informing the world about the cause of fibromyalgia.
Now, research has shown that fibromyalgia isn’t caused by the mind. Instead, it’s caused by a sensory nerve in the blood vessels of the palm.
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