What causes fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia has mistakenly been thought to be either
an inflammatory or a psychiatric condition. However, no evidence of inflammation
or arthritis has been found, and patients with fibromyalgia are now known to be
no more depressed or anxious than those with other chronic, painful, debilitating
conditions.
It is now believed that depression and anxiety when present are more often the
result than the cause of fibromyalgia. There is some evidence that fibromyalgia
may be due to an abnormality of deep sleep. [+] More
Abnormal brain waveforms have been found in deep sleep in many patients with
fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia-like symptoms can be produced in normal volunteers by
depriving them of deep sleep for a few days.
Low levels of somatostatin, a hormone important in maintaining good muscle and
other soft tissue health, have been found in patients with fibromyalgia. This hormone
is produced almost exclusively in deep sleep, and it's production is increased by
exercise. [+] More
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