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- Title
Fibromyalgia: When Distress Becomes (Un) sympathetic Pain.
- Authors
Martinez-Lavin, Manuel
- Abstract
Fibromyalgia is a painful stress-related disorder. A key issue in fibromyalgia research is to investigate how distress could be converted into pain. The sympathetic nervous system is the main element of the stress response system. In animal models, physical trauma, infection, or distressing noise can induce abnormal connections between the sympathetic nervous system and the nociceptive system. Dorsal root ganglia sodium channels facilitate this type of sympathetic pain. Similar mechanisms may operate in fibromyalgia. Signs of sympathetic hyperactivity have been described in this condition. Genetic factors and/or distressful lifestylemay lead to this state of sympathetic hyperactivity. Trauma and infection are recognized fibromyalgia triggers. Women who suffer from fibromyalgia have catecholamine-evoked pain. Sympathetic dysfunction may also explain nonpain-related fibromyalgia symptoms. In conclusion, in fibromyalgia, distress could be converted into pain through forced hyperactivity of the sympathetic component of the stress response system.
- Subjects
TREATMENT of fibromyalgia; SYMPATHETIC nervous system; PSYCHOLOGICAL stress; ANIMAL models in research; PAIN perception; CATECHOLAMINES
- Publication
Pain Research & Treatment, 2012, p1
- ISSN
2090-1542
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1155/2012/981565