Origin and History of Fibromyalgia

History of Fibromyalgia

There was evidence of a mysterious illness in which pain and depression were the main symptoms,well before the 19th century. British rheumatologist W. R. Gower was the first doctor to recognize fibromyalgia in 1904. Originally, Fibromyalgia was considered to be a form of arthritis. Later, doctors found that the pain is concentrated mainly in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. In 1990 the disease was made official by the American College of Rheumotalogy by setting specific diagnostic criteria, giving fibromyalgia the legitamacy that it had been lacking.

Origin & Causes of Fibromyalgia

The cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. Scientific research has suggested that it may be caused by several factors. Hence the name (Fibro for fibrous tissue, my meaning muscle, and algia – pain), studies show that there is nothing wrong with the muscles themselves. Patients with the condition seem to have a heightened sensitivity to pain. The pain is concentrated in specific areas of the body called tenderpoints.

A very light stimulus may feel extremely painful to a fibromyalgia patient. This was once believed to be a psychosomatic illness.Doctors believe there may be a neurological dysfunction that causes the symptoms.There are many theories as to why this occurs.

• Sleep Deprivation- Deep sleep is essential to the body. People that lack sleep in stage 4 of their sleep cycle may be at risk.This is a time when the muscles recover and prepare for the next day.
• Stress- Recent studies have shown that stress may be a contributor to many illness that exist today. Fibromyalgia has been linked to post traumatic stress following impacting events.
• Genetics- There may be a gene for fibromyalgia. There have been cases in which family members share the condition.
• Previous Injury- Doctors have found that physical trauma can lead to fibromyalgia years after an incident.
• Lingering Infections- The symptoms caused by this condition have been thought to be product of a past infection that the body never recovered from. Inconclusive blood test results have led researchers to believe that viruses may linger in the body somewhere in the muscles, making them hard to detectand immune to antibiotics.