Not until very long ago, most doctors would shrug and prescript some analgesics when someone came to them showing symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
Even worse, sometimes they considered it to be the same thing as depression (or at least a form of it) and they prescribed treatment only for that particular set of symptoms.
Nowadays though, more and more specialists agree on one fact: Fibromyalgia is a stand-alone syndrome, although its symptoms can vary from one person to another and sometimes they can even overlap with those of other syndromes, disorders and diseases.
As for the causes of Fibromyalgia, there is no general consensus and the opinions are spread among the professionals.
Still, Fibromyalgia can have unusual causes that your doctor may not be aware of. Here are 15 of the most uncommon causes and risk factors for Fibromyalgia which are quite unknown to doctors, not necessarily because they are poorly trained in this direction, but because these causes can stay well hidden unless they are discovered in time.
1- A traumatic event
Fibromyalgia is quite often comorbid with depression and anxiety and these two disorders can appear after a traumatic event, such as the death of a loved one. Although depression may not be a cause proper for the development of Fibromyalgia, it can be a risk factor.
2- Food
This may seem obvious, but unhealthy food can actually influence the development of Fibromyalgia. Not providing your body with the necessary nutrients can always be a risk factor and it can “help” with the development of a lot of diseases, disorders and syndromes, among which Fibromyalgia is sometimes included.
3- Thyroid-related dysfunctions
The thyroid gland is very important in the human body because it regulates the metabolism. Furthermore, it can affect the weight gain (or the weight loss) of a patient, it can affect his/her sleep, his/her level of energy, and many other things. Checking for signs of trouble in this area may be helpful in patients with Fibromyalgia, since sometimes, adequate treatment for a thyroid disorder can help alleviate the Fibromyalgia symptoms as well.
4- Smoking
This is, again, not an actual cause for Fibromyalgia, but a major risk factor. Studies have shown that patients who are smokers tend to develop Fibromyalgia more than those who are not.
5- Poor physical condition
Working out is not good just for the way you look or for the way your heart works, but also for your general state of being. Not being properly trained can be, again, a very important risk factor for Fibromyalgia, especially when it is developed comorbid with depression.
6- Candida
This may sound odd to you, but Candida can actually be a cause for Fibromyalgia. When it is not properly treated, Candida can enter the bloodstream and release toxins that will eventually lead to feeling dizzy and tired and to developing digestive issues and chronic pain (all of which are common symptoms in patients with Fibromyalgia).
7- Vitamin deficiencies
Sometimes, lacking vitamin D, magnesium and B12 can be overlooked, but the truth is that, in time, they can lead to the development of Fibromyalgia symptoms.
8- Intolerance to gluten
This type of intolerance has become more widely known ever since the “gluten-free diet” craze. Still, the issue can be very serious and gluten intolerance can lead to developing a particular set of Fibromyalgia causes that are, surprisingly, not related to the digestive system. Sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression, pain and even cognitive impairment are among the Fibromyalgia symptoms caused by gluten intolerance.
9- Stress
Being chronically stressed is mostly related to the adrenal glands and it can start showing symptoms of Fibromyalgia.
10- Genes
The fact that genes can be the cause for the development of Fibromyalgia is quite well-known. Still, not many may know that it is actually a MTHFR mutations test that can show whether a person is predisposed to developing Fibromyalgia symptoms or not.
11- Twins
This may sound, again, quite odd, but studies show that those who have a monozygotic twin show 15% more chances than their brother/sister to develop Fibromyalgia symptoms (out of which pain is the most poignant one).
12- Mycotoxins
This type of toxins can lead to the development of certain Fibromyalgia symptoms, but their harmful effects are not limited to that, since they are very strong.
13- Lack of glutathione
Having a glutathione deficiency means that your body cannot properly detoxify itself, which, again, may lead to the development of certain symptoms that are common to Fibromyalgia patients.
14- Mercury
It is a well-known fact that mercury is toxic for the human body, but you may have a high level of it in your own body and not know it. Make sure that you are correctly tested for heavy metals, especially since this can be an important part in detecting why Fibromyalgia has developed in your case and which is the most adequate treatment.
15- Sleep disturbance
Apparently, sleeping badly is not only a symptom but it can be also a cause in some cases. Studies show that sleep disturbances are sometimes linked to the development of Fibromyalgia and that waking up during your IV level of sleep can be a piece of the puzzle.
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