USA Today published a very interesting article on December 15, 2013 about a research which identifies a physiological cause for fibromyalgia.  Currently, fibromyalgia is recognized as a medical “syndrome,” which means that it can be identified by symptoms, while the source of those symptoms remains unknown.  In the case of fibromyalgia, the American College of Rheumatology has published guidelines for physicians to use for diagnostic purposes, although treatment options remain limited.

The USA Today story quotes neurologist Anne Louise Oaklander at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.  Dr. Oaklander has published two studies which show that at least half the cases of diagnosed fibromyalgia arise from small fiber neuopathy, in which patients get faulty signals from tiny nerves all over the body, thereby causing symptoms.  Here is a direct link to Dr. Oaklander’s article.

Researchers at Albany Medical College published a paper showing that fibromyalgia patients have excessive nerve fibers lining the blood vessels of the skin.  This excess of nerve fibers can lead to increased sensitivity to pain.  Interestingly, women have more of these fibers than men, which is consistent with statistics which show more female fibro patients than male patients.  Here is a link to the news release from Dr. Frank Rice who conducted the research at Albany Medical College, and who now leads a research team at a private company. Continue reading →