As of this time Fibromyalgia does not have a widely agreed upon pathology, instead there are various theories which have been put forward by experts to attempt to get closer to explaining the causes of the condition. One such theory is that fibromyalgia is possibly a sleep disorder which then develops and causes widespread symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is estimated to affect around 160 million worldwide, which is about 1 in 50 people, although some estimates say it’s as high as 1 in 20. Sleep issues plague a large section of the populace, with estimates ranging from 30-60% of people encountering some form of sleep issue regularly. For the condition sleep apnea (a disorder causing breathing pauses during sleep), it’s estimated around 1 billion suffer from this condition worldwide. Sleep apnea is often a co-morbid condition with fibromyalgia.
How is sleep connected to fibromyalgia and what possible treatments could be gleamed from this evaluation of the disease?
Is fibromyalgia a sleep disorder?
The theory that fibromyalgia is a sleep disorder suggests that disrupted sleep patterns, particularly non-restorative sleep, play a central role in the condition’s development and symptoms. Proponents of this theory point to the overlap between fibromyalgia symptoms—such as widespread pain, fatigue, and cognitive difficulties—and those experienced by individuals with sleep disorders.
Research indicates that people with fibromyalgia often experience abnormal sleep patterns, including reduced deep sleep and increased awakenings. These disruptions may contribute to the heightened pain sensitivity characteristic of fibromyalgia. Additionally, treating sleep issues in fibromyalgia patients has been shown to improve symptoms, further supporting the sleep disorder hypothesis.
What negates the theory?
The flaw with this theory is that the relationship between sleep and fibromyalgia is complex, and it’s unclear whether sleep disturbances are a cause or a consequence of the condition. Fibromyalgia often co-occurs with other conditions such as depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome, which are not primarily sleep-related. This suggests a possible broader underlying dysfunction beyond sleep. While improving sleep can alleviate some fibromyalgia symptoms, it often does not fully resolve the condition.
Sleep improvements
Because sleep issues are such a widely experienced problem, there are thousands of guides online on how to improve sleep. Sleep trackers have also grown increasingly popular over the last few years, with the Apple Watch being one of the most accurate trackers available. You can then use one of the many sleep apps available to generate reports on your sleep habits and data.
Last thoughts
It is possible that fibromyalgia is a sleep disorder, however the evidence is nowhere clear enough to be certain at this stage. Poor sleep is clearly a component of the illness, and improving sleep can often improve the condition in some people. The real issue is managing to keep sleep improvements over time. It’s quite often that our poor sleep can flare up and down, which can then make it feel like improvements are easily wiped out. Plus, bad sleep habits are hard to get rid of as they revolve around situations in our life.
it can be a bit confusing which theory is true at this point.