Fibromyalgia: When Distress Becomes (Un)sympathetic Pain.

Manuel Martinez-Lavin

doi:10.1155/2012/981565

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 lifestyle may 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.

Highlights

The key issue in fibromyalgia (FM) research is to define why people suffering from this illness have so much pain
The sympathetic nervous system is the main element of the stress response system
When compared to healthy controls, Mexican women with FM have different gene polymorphisms of sodium channels located in dorsal root ganglia and in sympathetic ganglia [31]

Summary

Introduction

The key issue in fibromyalgia (FM) research is to define why people suffering from this illness have so much pain. Patients who have FM often associate the onset of their illness to a stressful situation such as physical or emotional trauma [2,3,4] or to different types of infections [5]. They are frequently immersed in a distressful life style [6]. This article reviews scientific evidence suggesting that, in FM, distress becomes pain through malfunction of the sympathetic component of the stress response system. (iv) Animal models linking the development of sympathetic pain to physical or emotional trauma and to different types of infections. Novel approaches to understanding complex diseases such as FM steer clear from the Cartesian mind-body dualism, and instead embrace a scientific holistic approach [10]

Sympathetic Nervous System as a Key Element of the Stress Response System

The Autonomic Nervous System as a Complex Adaptive System

Physical and Emotional Distress in FM

Conclusions