What is Fibromyalgia and who is Prone to This Painful Condition?
What is fibromyalgia and are certain people more likely to suffer from this painful condition than others? Fibromyalgia is a condition that affects the musculoskeletal areas of the body causing pain in the soft fibrous tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
The most common symptom of fibromyalgia is pain followed by fatigue. The degree of discomfort experienced differs from person to person and may be mild or interfere seriously with daily activities. But what is fibromyalgia caused by? It is not known what causes the condition but it is believed to be caused by a viral or bacterial infection or to be linked to other conditions or illnesses. It may be triggered by stress, hormonal problems, weather changes, or allergies.
While it is not clear who will get fibromyalgia and why, there are certain risk factors that make it more likely you will get the syndrome. In most cases not much can be done to change your risk factors as these are linked to gender, age, and family history. However, it is important to realize that a whole host of treatment measures can make dealing with the condition easier. So what is fibromyalgia linked to and what are your chances of getting it?
What is fibromyalgia going to mean to you? The major risk factors for fibromyalgia include: gender, age, sleep abnormalities, and a family history of the syndrome. We will discuss each issue briefly.
Gender - What is fibromyalgia to women? It is notable that fibromyalgia occurs between 70% and 90% more often in women than in men. It is not known why this should be the case. Men do get the condition and if you think you might be one of them don't dismiss it, seek the correct treatment.
Age - What is fibromyalgia going to mean to you in terms of your age? The syndrome is typically found in women of childbearing age. It usually begins between the ages of 20 and 55 but it can occur in children or teenagers.
Sleep Abnormalities - What is fibromyalgia going to mean in terms of your sleep patterns? It is thought that disturbed sleep patterns might predispose you to developing fibromyalgia but they might be just a symptom of the condition. Neither theory has been conclusively proven. If you have a sleep disorder you are more prone to developing the condition and vice versa.
Family History - What is fibromyalgia going to mean in terms of your family history? If a family member had or has the condition you are more likely to have it at some stage in your life. This does not imply that you will definitely get it. However, if you have any of the associated symptoms and your mother had them too you should visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
