Can Auto Accidents Cause or Worsen Fibromyalgia?
The team here at Chanfrau & Chanfrau has helped countless clients in and around the Daytona Beach area. This includes many victims of serious auto accidents and their loved ones.
We've noticed a few blogs and websites have brought up the link between motor vehicle collisions and fibromyalgia. Let's take a moment right now to consider the connection and what it may involve.
What is fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a type of chronic pain that affects a person's musculoskeletal system. Many times fibromyalgia also results in issues with fatigue, drowsiness, cognitive problems, and mood. It's thought that the pain caused by fibromyalgia is linked to changes in nerve stimulation and brain chemistry. When neurotransmitters are affected in a certain way, this can amplify sensations of pain felt in the body or make the pain receptors in the brain much more sensitive.
It's been estimated that fibromyalgia affects between 2 percent and 8 percent of the population. The condition is far more likely to affect women than men. The ratio of female to male cases of fibromyalgia is somewhere between 7:1 and 9:1.
Common Causes of Fibromyalgia
The exact cause or causes of fibromyalgia have yet to be determined. Doctors and researches believe that the following may be potential causes of fibromyalgia, and may work in combiantion to bring about the condition:
- Genetic/family history
- Infections
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Signs and Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Common signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia include the following:
- Widespread pain
- Fatigue
- Difficulty with memory
- Problems with concentration
- Difficulty paying attention
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Sleep apnea
- Restless leg syndrome
- Depression
If you fear that you may be suffering from fibromyalgia, consult your doctor right away.
Can car accidents trigger or worsen fibromyalgia?
Yes, potentially.
Some studies have found that car accidents and other kinds of serious physical trauma can result in fibromyalgia or can make a case of fibromyalgia much worse.
Links Between Trauma and Fibromyalgia
Since fibromyalgia is linked to PTSD and other kinds of serious trauma, a major car accident can potentially lead to fibromyalgia depending on the nature of the collision. More research needs to be done when it comes to the exact nature of this link, of course, but it is possible to demonstrate that an auto accident has aggravated a case of fibromyalgia.
Treatments for Fibromyalgia
Treating fibromyalgia tends to involve a combination of pain relief medication, antidepressants, and anti-seizure drugs. This in combination with physical therapy and counseling can help keep the condition under control. If your fibromyalgia is linked to an auto collision, the negligent party in the accident may be held accountable for part of your medical expenses.
How Auto Accident Attorneys Can Help in These Kinds of Cases
If you are trying to prove that you case of fibromyalgia was caused by an auto accident or worsened by an auto accident, it's important to have a skilled attorney on your side. Working with you doctor and other medical experts, your attorney will help lay out the case that your fibromyalgia was somehow affected by the motor vehicle collision. This includes increased instances of serious pain as well as a worsening of other aspects of the condition, such as mood disorders and fibro fog.
Learn More About Your Legal Options After an Auto Accident
To learn more about your legal options after a serious auto accident, it's important that you contact our personal injury law firm today. The legal team here at Chanfrau & Chanfrau will fight for you in your time of legal need.