Fibromyalgia affects more women

• April 18, 2024

Scientists estimate that fibromyalgia mainly harms the women . In the United States, for example, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) points out that there are around 5 million people affected by fibromyalgia in that country; between 80% and 90% of people diagnosed are women.

However, men and women children They may also suffer from the disease. According to studies carried out by the Foundation for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome of Catalonia, it is estimated that between 3% and 4% of the population suffers, which means between 1 million 200 thousand and 1 million 600 thousand people in Spain. In 90% of the cases it is about women in the middle age of life, its beginning very rare in childhood or after 65 years of age. In any case, it is an increasingly frequent detection disease.

What you should know about fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed more frequently in individuals suffering from certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and spinal arthritis. Women who have a relative with fibromyalgia are more predisposed to suffer it.

Although its cause is unknown, it is believed that the symptoms of this disease are due to the decrease in substances that usually regulate sensation of pain , especially serotonin.

This decrease produces a disorder in the perception, transmission and modulation of the painful stimulus, lowering the threshold of perception of it. The mechanisms of pain regulation are altered by adding aggravating factors such as stress, fatigue and sleep disturbances. So far, no objective organic alteration has been detected to explain the physical basis of this disorder.

It can be cured?

Fibromyalgia is not a dangerous disease for life, although it is persistent, and at this time, it does not have a curative treatment. However, many of its symptoms can be improved. For this, it is necessary to learn to know the factors that improve or worsen the general state. We must avoid the aggravating factors and, above all, adapt to the course of the disease.