|
Fibromyalgia (FM)
What are the risk factors?
Risk factors are characteristics that can make you more likely to develop a condition. Having a risk factor doesn't necessarily mean that you will get a particular disease or condition. However, having more than one risk factor can place you in a higher risk category and may indicate a need to talk to your doctor about your health. The risks associated with developing fibromyalgia include the following:
Although it occurs in both men and women, women are 7 times as likely to develop FM as men.
Having a first degree relative (mother, father, brother, or sister) who has fibromyalgia
FM may have a genetic link and having a family member with FM places you at increased risk of developing the syndrome.
Having a rheumatoid disease
Conditions such as arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis(a condition that causes chronic inflammation of spine and joints in the lower back) may place you at a greater risk of developing fibromyalgia.
Having an excess amount of substance P in your spinal cord
Substance P is a neurotransmitter located in the spinal cord in which transmits pain signals. If you have too much substance P, it will intensify your FM pain pathway, leading to the symptoms of FM.
Altered Sleep Patterns
People with insomnia or other sleeping disorders such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea are at higher risk of developing FM
|
What are the risk factors?
