What is the Link between Fibromyalgia and Migraines?

What is the Link between Fibromyalgia and Migraines?

What is the Link between Fibromyalgia and Migraines?

There are approximately 10 million Americans who are impacted by Fibromyalgia. This is a very painful condition that impacts the muscles, ligaments and tendons. This is a very painful illness.

This symptoms of this illness are very similar to those experienced by people suffering from migraine headaches. It is also similar because it affects more women than men.

The pain can occur in four or more distinct areas of the body and are related to “trigger points”. The trigger points are often found in the elbows, shoulders, back and head, knees.

Many people who suffer from fibromyalgia will also suffer from migraine type headaches. Many doctors and researchers believe that fibromyalgia may be the result of a disturbance in the brain’s “pain center”.

The pain of fibromyalgia is found throughout the body. The fibromyalgia pain is also associated with a other symptoms including sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety and headaches.  Individuals who suffer from migraine headaches also find that these symptoms are common to their condition as well

Women who take magnesium as a supplement for their migraines may also get the same type of relief for fibromyalgia. Research has found that low levels of magnesium are present in individuals who suffer from both fibromyalgia and migraines.  These researchers have also found that migraine sufferers who don’t benefit from the typical pain control therapies of migraines may also suffer from fibromyalgia.

There are various types of migraine headaches but most are characterized by severe pain occurring on one or both sides of the head.  Individuals will also suffer from nausea, dizziness and visual disturbances as well as vomiting and hyper sensitivity to noise, lights and sounds.

Researchers have found out that more than 50% of people who suffer from fibromyalgia will also experience tension type or migraine headaches. There are many theories about why fibromyalgia patients suffer from headaches. many of thetheories are based on the premise that the same dysfunction which causes fibromyalgia may also cause migraine headaches.  However, individuals who have fibromyalgia also have other symptoms which may be cause migraines such as temporomandibular joint disorder, levels of serotonin and low levels of magnesium.

The research looks promising. In the near future their may be better treatments for fibromalgia and migraines; and the answer to the question What is the Link between Fibromyalgia and Migraines? may be solved.

There are many similarities in the both fibromyalgia and migraine headaches. Because of this some treatments are also similar and effective.  Patients that have had migraine headaches that were not successfully treated or you patients that had fibromyalgia with chronic migraine headaches may now consider the possibility that they suffer from both illnesses.

You should always consult with your doctor before taking any medications or beginning any medical treatment program.

For additional information about fibromalgia visit our previous post.