Guide To The Causes, Risk Factors, And Triggers For Fibromyalgia

Genetics

An individual's genetics can cause them to be at an increased risk of developing fibromyalgia. The exact mechanisms are not entirely clear, but variations in numerous genes with small defects are known to increase an individual's risk of developing fibromyalgia. The affected genes are known to have roles in how the individual's brain perceives pain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals responsible for sending signals from one nerve cell to the next. Genes involved in the processes of neurotransmitter production and breakdown may contribute. Studies have shown individuals who have first-degree relatives like parents or siblings affected by fibromyalgia have a risk for the disease that is eight times higher than the general population. First degree relatives of individuals with fibromyalgia are often affected by irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and other problems involving chronic pain. Due to sharing the same genetically related risk factors, these types of disorders may aggregate in families. Genes that have been identified to have relevance in pain perception include those that control voltage-gated sodium channels, mu-opioid receptors, dopaminergic pathways, GABAergic pathways, GTP cyclohydrolase 1, catechol-O-methyl transferase, and glutamatergic pathways.

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