Post by Lady~RavenHeart on Aug 28, 2005 14:13:40 GMT 2
WHO GETS FIBROMYALGIA?
Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia has yet to be clearly elucidated, several risk factors have been identified that make one more prone to developing the syndrome. Unfortunately, most of these factors are non-modifiable (such as gender, age and family history). The important thing to remember is that although you may not control whether you acquire fibromyalgia, you have several treatment and coping options available to you that can greatly improve the quality of your life. The major risk factors for fibromyalgia include:
Gender - Fibromyalgia occurs between 70% and 90% more often in women than in men. The exact reason for this remains unknown. If you are a man and think you may be affected by fibromyalgia, see the section on Men With Fibromyalgia.
Age - Fibromyalgia is most commonly seen in the women of childbearing age. Thus, it normally develops between the ages of 20 and 55; however it has been known to occur in children also.
Sleep Abnormalities - As will be described more clearly below, it is not known whether disturbed sleep patterns predispose one to developing fibromyalgia, or if they are just one of the many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Either way, sleep problems and fibromyalgia are closely related and if you have one, you are more likely to have the other.
Family History - It has been shown that you are more likely to have fibromyalgia if someone in your family (such as your mother) has been previously diagnosed with the condition.
Although the exact cause of fibromyalgia has yet to be clearly elucidated, several risk factors have been identified that make one more prone to developing the syndrome. Unfortunately, most of these factors are non-modifiable (such as gender, age and family history). The important thing to remember is that although you may not control whether you acquire fibromyalgia, you have several treatment and coping options available to you that can greatly improve the quality of your life. The major risk factors for fibromyalgia include:
Gender - Fibromyalgia occurs between 70% and 90% more often in women than in men. The exact reason for this remains unknown. If you are a man and think you may be affected by fibromyalgia, see the section on Men With Fibromyalgia.
Age - Fibromyalgia is most commonly seen in the women of childbearing age. Thus, it normally develops between the ages of 20 and 55; however it has been known to occur in children also.
Sleep Abnormalities - As will be described more clearly below, it is not known whether disturbed sleep patterns predispose one to developing fibromyalgia, or if they are just one of the many symptoms associated with fibromyalgia. Either way, sleep problems and fibromyalgia are closely related and if you have one, you are more likely to have the other.
Family History - It has been shown that you are more likely to have fibromyalgia if someone in your family (such as your mother) has been previously diagnosed with the condition.
