Today's post sheds a very interesting light on our understanding of fibromyalgia--if you're a woman, of course. This very new study, released in late summer of 2015, examined the medical histories of 219 women with fibromyalgia and 16 other women who suffer from non-fibromyalgia with chronic pain. The researchers found that there is a likely link between the onset of fibromyalgia and the pre-existence one (or more) of three pre-existing condition types: gynecologic, endocrine, or autoimmune.
The chart review of these patients showed a strong correlation to a history of gynecologic issues prior to the onset of fibromyalgia. It is not uncommon that these conditions existed for a number of years--which points to the hormonal (endocrine) aspect of the problem. Ultimately, many of these patients end up having surgery to correct the gynecologic problem at hand. The study showed a connection between hysterectomies and oophorectemies (ovary removals) and onset of fibromyalgia. In these cases, the onset of fibromyalgia commonly occurred anywhere from four years pre-surgery to four years post-surgery.
Thyroid disorders also seemed to share a connection to fibromyalgia onset. There is a common thyroid disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune problem. In this case, the study revealed that the autoimmune disease developed first, the fibromyalgia afterward.
This is all very interesting and new. We are only beginning to understand and make sense of what fibromyalgia is all about. What I find most interesting is that this gives us a new path to explore in the realm of female fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than any other group...so helping them first makes a lot of sense.
Source: About.com; pixabay
The chart review of these patients showed a strong correlation to a history of gynecologic issues prior to the onset of fibromyalgia. It is not uncommon that these conditions existed for a number of years--which points to the hormonal (endocrine) aspect of the problem. Ultimately, many of these patients end up having surgery to correct the gynecologic problem at hand. The study showed a connection between hysterectomies and oophorectemies (ovary removals) and onset of fibromyalgia. In these cases, the onset of fibromyalgia commonly occurred anywhere from four years pre-surgery to four years post-surgery.
Thyroid disorders also seemed to share a connection to fibromyalgia onset. There is a common thyroid disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune problem. In this case, the study revealed that the autoimmune disease developed first, the fibromyalgia afterward.
This is all very interesting and new. We are only beginning to understand and make sense of what fibromyalgia is all about. What I find most interesting is that this gives us a new path to explore in the realm of female fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is more common in women than any other group...so helping them first makes a lot of sense.
Source: About.com; pixabay
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