Fibromyalgia affects how many people

Certain genes may control the way the body regulates pain responses. Scientists speculate that people with fibromyalgia carry one or more genes that cause them to react strongly to stimuli that another person may not perceive as painful. For many people, symptoms begin after emotional or physical trauma, or a bout with an infectious disease. These factors do not likely cause fibromyalgia by themselves.

Problems getting enough sleep or spending enough time in the deepest stages of sleep are common in this disorder. Abnormal sleep patterns can affect the levels of some brain chemicals. Several factors increase the risk of fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. This is partly because female reproductive hormones, such as estrogen, make women more sensitive to pain. Menopause , which also results in lowered levels of estrogen, is another potential risk factor for fibromyalgia. Read more: Why does fibromyalgia predominantly affect women? According to the NFA , most people with fibromyalgia are diagnosed in early to middle adulthood, between the ages of 20 and Some people who have disorders affecting sleep, such as sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome RLS , are more likely to have the condition.

Rheumatic diseases affect the joints, muscles, and bones. People who have another rheumatic disease are more likely to have fibromyalgia. These diseases include:. Mood disorders and fibromyalgia are closely related. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety stem from the same chemical imbalances linked to fibromyalgia. The strain of living with chronic pain can also cause depression.

Also, depression can make your pain worse. Other possible risk factors for fibromyalgia include not exercising, exercising too much , and undergoing surgery.

Your outlook depends on the severity of your fibromyalgia. Learning how to cope with your condition will give you the best possible outcome. Talk with your doctor about finding the best treatment and support options. On This Page. Top of Page. Learn more about arthritis. Get E-mail Updates. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address. What's this? Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. Pain associated with fibromyalgia can make it difficult to exercise, but staying active is an effective treatment for the disease. Start slow by doing low-impact aerobics, walking, or swimming. Then slowly increase the intensity and length of your workouts.

Consider joining an exercise class or consulting with a physical therapist for an individualized exercise program. Check out some workout tips to ease fibromyalgia pain. Learn stress management techniques such as deep breathing exercises and meditation to improve your symptoms. If you can educate others on how the condition affects you, they might be more sympathetic.

If there are fibromyalgia support groups in the area or online, encourage friends or family members to attend a meeting. You can also provide them with printed or online information about the condition. Fibromyalgia is a real condition that can interfere with daily activities. The condition can be chronic, so once you develop symptoms, they may continue.

Seek medical attention if you experience widespread pain that lasts for more than 3 months. With proper treatment and lifestyle changes, you can cope with the disease, relieve symptoms, and improve your quality of life.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition with a range of potential causes, treatments, and risk factors. Here's a top-to-bottom look at this chronic….

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