Introduction

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia may be classified into two types: primary and secondary. In primary fibromyalgia, also known as idiopathic fibromyalgia the underlying cause of the syndrome cannot be identified and is unknown. Primary fibromyalgia is much more commonly encountered in clinical practice than secondary fibromyalgia, where a possible or probable cause can be identified. Secondary fibromyalgia present after several years of living with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or other generalized arthritic diseases. Some persons develop symptoms after a diagnosis of Lyme disease, a silicone implant, exposure to toxic chemicals, trauma (e.g., "whiplash" injury from a rear-end car accident), repetitive motion injury or working in a "sick" building. The relationship, if any, of these preceding conditions to onset of fibromyalgia is unclear.

Despite extensive research conducted in recent years, the cause of fibromyalgia is not yet known. Researchers are investigating the possibility that physical injury or trauma may affect the central nervous system and subsequently lead to the syndrome. Also being studied is the role of stress, and changes in the metabolism in the head and face as well as skeletal muscles. Infectious organisms such as viruses or bacteria have also been suspected, although no specific infectious agent has yet been identified. Several studies have also suggested that heredity also plays a role.