Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties. Fibromyalgia is considered a syndrome because it is not just one identifiable disease, and different risk factors can lead to its development. Symptoms include widespread pain, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and poor sleep, which are also common symptoms of other chronic diseases. Regardless, it is important to take note of issues and seek medical help. Here are the risk factors for fibromyalgia:
1. Repetitive injuries
People who consistently use their bodies for repetitive tasks are at a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia. This includes both people who work in physically demanding fields or engage in excessively sedentary activities. Repetitive physical tasks, whether it’s too much working out or too much sitting at a desk, can lead to fibromyalgia by causing damage to muscle tissue over time. This is especially true if the activity also leads to repeated injuries.
2. Stressful or traumatic events
After a traumatic event, people may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This can lead to delayed reactions and insomnia, which increase the risk of developing fibromyalgia. Some of the other symptoms of PTSD include night terrors, hypervigilance, avoidance of triggers, sleep disorders, mood swings, and chronic pain. You might be at even further risk for developing fibromyalgia if you experience PTSD and have pre-existing musculoskeletal pain.
3. Gender
Roughly 4 million American adults live with the pain of fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, though, studies show that fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. According to research from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), women are eight to nine times more likely than men to develop fibromyalgia.
4. Family history
Fibromyalgia is believed to be, at least in part, a genetic disorder. As such, some of the risk factors for fibromyalgia stem from the subject’s genetics. If a person has a family member who has fibromyalgia, they may face an increased likelihood of developing the condition and experiencing an early onset of any symptoms. It is actually common for people who have an affected family member to experience fibromyalgia symptoms before their siblings. This is because they may have inherited a greater risk of developing the condition.
5. Obesity
This condition can lead to several health problems and diseases that are also associated with chronic fibromyalgia pain. Some of the risk factors potentially caused by obesity include sleep apnea, heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and other cerebrovascular diseases. Obesity also puts extra strain on the trunk and lower back muscles, leading to symptoms such as back pain and stiffness and increasing the risk of fibromyalgia.
Unfortunately, the symptoms of fibromyalgia are also common symptoms of other chronic diseases, meaning it’s not always easy to tell whether the pain you’re experiencing is fibromyalgia or a symptom of something else. This can lead to misdiagnosis and an incorrect treatment approach. If you suspect you have fibromyalgia, it’s best to avoid misdiagnosis by seeking medical help right away.
