Fibromyalgia: The Search for a Cure

Researchers of fibromyalgia (fibro) are making strides in their search for more clues about the chronic illness’ origin, according to Jackson, Miss., rheumatologist Dr. James Hensarling.

The 28-year veteran is amid the growing number of rheumatologists who believe the symptoms of fibro are not a figment of one’s imagination. Nevertheless, Dr. Hensarling said he can understand the cynicism about the illness among the medical community and public at large.

“Any skepticism would be due to a lack of knowledge of the full spectrum of the illness,” he said. “Misconception often occurs in any illness that can not be measured objectively i.e. blood test, X-rays, etc. As more research is done, the dispersion of knowledge will come. For the last few decades, immunology (cancer, HIV, arthritis) has been in the forefront of development along with the new biological agents. Also, a lot of research is coming about with emphasis on brain function and dysfunction in mood and sleep disorders,” he added.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s Web site, researchers are eyeing a possible theory that suggests fibro sufferers have a lower threshold for pain because of increased sensitivity in the brain to pain signals. The theory dubbed “central sensitization” currently leads the pack of possible causes of fibro. Researchers believe repeated nerve stimulation alters the brains of people with fibro, causing an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals in the brain that signal pain. In addition, according to the Clinic, the brain's pain receptors (neurons) — which receive signals from the neurotransmitters — seem to develop a sort of memory of the pain, which can sometimes cause overreaction to pain signals. For instance, the Clinic cites, applying pressure to a spot on the body of a person without fibro wouldn’t hurt, but the same gesture to someone who has the condition can be very painful.

As researchers work to determine what initiates this process of  “central sensitization,”  Dr. Hensarling is encouraging his patients, who are predominately women ranging from 17-82 years old, to remain optimistic and patient “as it is going to take time for the medical community to become more educated about the chronic condition,” he said.

On a not-so-optimistic note, although fibro forces some of its suffers out of work, Dr. Hensarling believes the debilitating illness “will probably never, as a single illness entity, be accepted for disability unless one has a concurrent, incapacitating physical or mental illness.”

Until a cure for fibro is discovered, Dr. Hensarling challenges sufferers of the condition to continue to learn more about the disease and its expression, and quickly eliminate any life stresses that may induce fibro’s painful symptoms. turn page or previous 

This interview obtained by chinika.com may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of Chinika, LLC.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (5)

Subscribe to this comment's feed