Before we can talk about the triggers for fibromyalgia, you must first know what exactly it is.
Fibromyalgia is actually the second most common musculoskeletal condition, surpassed only by osteoarthritis.
However, it is quite often misunderstood and misdiagnosed. The characteristics of fibromyalgia include widespread joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and other symptoms. Due to these symptoms, it can ultimately lead to depression/anxiety and even social isolation.
Who is More Likely to Get Fibromyalgia?
You may not realize it, but over 12 million Americans have fibromyalgia- that’s a large number. Many of them are females, ranging from age 25 to age 60. Women are actually 10 times more likely to get fibromyalgia than men.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms
First and foremost, fibromyalgia makes you ache all over. You could also have symptoms of fatigue, even after sleeping.
You could have some tender spots on your body that are painful to the touch. You could also have swelling, sleep disturbances and even mood disturbances/depression.
You are likely to feel like you have overworked or pulled your muscles. You will feel this way even if you’re not exercising or have another reason for it. On occasion, your muscles may burn, twitch, or even have a very deep, stabbing pain.
Some individuals who have fibromyalgia actually have general achiness and pain in the joints in their shoulder, back, hips, and neck.
This makes it very difficult for them to sleep, exercise, or otherwise lead a normal life. Some other symptoms of fibromyalgia include: pain in the abdomen, headaches, dryness of eyes, nose, and mouth, unable to concentrate, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), incontinence, stiffness, and numbness/tingling of the feet/hands.
The signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are very similar to those of bursitis, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis. Some experts even include in in the group of arthritis and other disorders related to arthritis.
However, the main difference is that the pain of these disorders are localized to a specific area, while the stiffness and pain associated with fibromyalgia are widespread.
What Causes Fibromyalgia to Develop?
This is actually a pretty complicated process. Though it is in part related to genetics- as in, you could possibly have a predisposition to it- environmental factors actually play a big role in an individual developing fibromyalgia.
When you learn how to properly recognize these potential triggers, you can reduce your risk of developing fibromyalgia, or take some steps to control these triggers in the future in order to better treat and control your fibromyalgia symptoms.
Physical Injuries
For some individuals, a physical injury is what brings to light the fibromyalgia. A physical injury is a trigger for fibromyalgia because the pain from the event and the trauma from the injury can actually cause changes to the hormonal state.
Your body ends up becoming much more sensitive to pain, which ends up resulting in your body developing fibromyalgia.
The most common injury that results in fibromyalgia is brain injury/trauma. The shock from this type of injury can affect the way your body reacts to and processes pain. Though it is not as common, other injuries and physical traumas can result in fibromyalgia.
Hormonal Changes
We all go through hormonal changes during our lives- especially women. Hormonal changes due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, or other similar life changes can affect your body’s sensitivity to pain.
Depending on what your personal situation is, the hormonal changes can cause you to have chemical sensitivities, dizziness, and an array of other changes that can cause you to develop fibromyalgia.
Though multiple chemical sensitivities is one of the common fibromyalgia triggers, it’s not one that necessary stands on its own.
Most of the time, emotional changes such as depression/anxiety contribute to the problem of fibromyalgia.
Hormones really do play a major role in the body. When changes do occur and your body isn’t able to adjust to them fast enough, then problems could definitely arise. Fibromyalgia is only one of the many complications that could result due to hormonal changes.
Illness
Sometimes, infections and illnesses can trigger fibromyalgia to develop. Particularly, sicknesses that involve nasal congestion contribute to fibromyalgia because it creates some pressure in your head.
It is possible to reduce this potential complication and risk of developing fibromyalgia with the use of nasal congestion remedies.
In the case of illness being involved, early treatment of the infection can do wonders. By reducing the impact the illness has on your body, you have a better chance of reducing the risk of developing fibromyalgia later on from an illness.
Typically, triggers that cause fibromyalgia are associated with injuries, illnesses, and changes in hormones.
Though there are several possibilities associated with the triggers, the condition has similar methods of treatment and ways to get your fibromyalgia under control.
Morgan Freeman Fibromyalgia
Did you know that actor Morgan Freeman struggles with fibromyalgia? Every so often, you’ll see him grab his left shoulder and wince. It hurts when he walks, when he sits, when he gets up, and when he stumbles.
However, he never mentions it. There are times though, that he can’t hide it. It is due to the fact that he was in a car accident a few years ago- the car he was driving flipped and rolled.
When asked, he says it’s up and down his arm- excruciating pain. Of course, this all means that he can’t take part in his hobby of flying jets anymore, nor can he sail alone.
He can’t trust himself to drive with one arm- at least not a stick shift. He can’t ride horses either, like he used to enjoy.
Despite all that he’s had to give up, he never mentions it as a loss. However, he never hints that it’s completely unfair.
He has had to learn how to move on and find other things that he enjoys- new conceptions of himself. He still plays golf- though one handed. He still works. He is still happy walking around the land.
