Fibromyalgia Research

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN
updated on 06/20/2007 at 11:06AM

Up until the 1980s, fibromyalgia was largely disregarded and misdiagnosed. But today, roughly eight million Americans have been diagnosed with the condition. This number continues to grow as health care providers become better educated as to the illness and its symptoms. Today, there is a plethora of research conducted on the symptoms, causes, and treatment methods for fibromyalgia. Take a look at some of the highlights of the latest research.

Approximately 90 percent of all fibromyalgia patients are women.
Between 50 and 70 percent of patients with fibromyalgia also have chronic fatigue syndrome.
The inability to absorb nutrients is common in fibromyalgia patients. Use a product called Oxy-Powder to clean the intestines – http://www.colon-cleanse-constipation.com/.
Patients with fibromyalgia have significantly less blood flow to parts of the brain that deal with pain.
Neck injuries increase the likelihood of developing fibromyalgia.
Many Fibromyalgia sufferers have had a previous emotional trauma and suffer from stress, anxiety or depression. For help go to http://www.stress-anxiety-depression.org/
Individuals with fibromyalgia have significantly higher levels of the brain chemical substance P, which helps nerve cells communicate about pain, than people who don't suffer from fibromyalgia.
Studies note less than normal blood flow in the skin above tender points on fibromyalgia patients.
Fibromyalgia sufferers generally have a lower thermal pain threshold than people who do not have fibromyalgia.
Individuals with fibromyalgia have lower blood levels of cortisol than those who do not have fibromyalgia. A cortisol deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, muscle pain, mood and sleep disturbances.
Research suggests that the effects of fibromyalgia decrease over time.
Scientists theorize that fibromyalgia is an oxidative disorder as individuals with fibromyalgia have abnormal levels of free radicals and oxidant/antioxidant balances.
Individuals with fibromyalgia experience more oral symptoms such as lesions and ulcerations than those who don't suffer from the condition

In some cases lack of exercise due to pain can lead to unexpected weight gain, if this is a problem, a good resource is http://www.weightlossobesity.com/

"Contemporary Overview of Fibromyalgia,"

by Robert M. Bennett, M.D.

Research Objectives: Providing a deeper understanding about fibromyalgia

Research Conclusions: "Fibromyalgia is a syndrome of chronic widespread pain. It is a construct developed by rheumatologists to account for a common group of patients that they see in their routine practice. Indeed, fibromyalgia subjects account for 20-30% of rheumatology referrals. Epidemiological studies suggest that fibromyalgia is at one end of a spectrum of chronic widespread pain and is defined in terms of such pain plus 11 or more out of 18 tender points. The overall prevalence of fibromyalgia is 3-10%, with a 10:1 predominance in women.

The clinical spectrum of fibromyalgia is much more than a pain syndrome and commonly includes fatigue, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, irritable bladder, restless legs, neurally mediated hypotension, psychological distress and varying levels of dysfunction. There is compelling evidence that the pain and accompanying symptoms are a manifestation of amplified sensory processing at the level of the spinal cord and brain – “central sensitization.” The disordered neurophysiology and molecular events underlying central sensitization are now being unraveled.

The events leading to the development of fibromyalgia commonly include other pain sites, injuries, infections, inflammatory diseases and persistent stress. Why only a minority of people experiencing such problems go on to develop fibromyalgia involves familial, genetic and environmental influences. The possibility that congenital abnormalities of the hindbrain (Chiari I malformation) a possible predisposing influence is of great interest to rheumatologists and patients alike. Irrespective of pathogenesis, chronic pain states have profound secondary effects in terms of altered neuroendocrine function, disordered sleep, psychological distress (especially depression) and maladaptive behavioral changes. Until there are effective treatments for central sensitization, the mainstays of fibromyalgia treatment will continue to be pain medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, gentle exercise, minimization of peripheral pain generators (e.g., myofascial trigger points), treatment of depression and disturbed sleep.

"Pain Amplifying Neurochemical Mechanisms in Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS),"

by I. Jon Russell, M.D., Ph.D.

Research Objective: The goal of this study was to further understand the role of neurochemicals in the symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Study: A review of the published medical literature on fibromyalgia.

Conclusion: "The widespread body pain and tenderness which characterize FMS could result from central pain amplification mediated by the neurochemicals of nociception. Abnormalities in FMS brain regional blood flow, neuroendocrine function, autonomic neural function, and intestinal dysmotility could all result from imbalances of the same neurochemicals within the central nervous system."

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