What causes fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout the body's ligaments, muscles, and tendons; tenderness in specific points of the body when little pressure is applied, and fatigue.  It is a difficult syndrome to understand, as there is currently no definite cause or causes of fibromyalgia; because of this lack of definite cause or causes, fibromyalgia is classified as a syndrome, and not as a disease.  Some researchers believe that patients with fibromyalgia are more responsive to pain signals, which therefore causes a lower tolerance for pain.  

Risk factors
80-90% of fibromyalgia cases are women in early and middle age, and those in child-bearing years. Some studies assert that women with a family history of fibromyalgia are more likely to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia, though it is unknown whether genetic predisposition or environmental factors are the cause. Those diagnosed with other types of rheumatic disease (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, spinal arthritis) or sleep disorders (sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, etc.) are also more likely to have or develop fibromyalgia.  

Studies have also linked a higher amount of Substance P in spinal fluid with fibromyalgia; this chemical helps the body to send and increase paint signals from the brain to the body, and vice versa. Cases of fibromyalgia have also been associated with an emotionally or physically traumatic event (for example, a car crash), and with infections.   

To better understand the symptoms of this syndrome, continue reading here. The next section on Fibromyalgia Symptoms outlines the signs symptoms of fibromylagia for those who think that they may be experiencing the condition.