CFS & Fibromyalgia Symptoms Central Sensitization in Fibromyalgia and CFS By Adrienne Dellwo Adrienne Dellwo LinkedIn Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 29, 2021 Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD LinkedIn Grant Hughes, MD, is board-certified in rheumatology and is the head of rheumatology at Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Print To understand the term central sensitization, it helps to first break the words apart. Central, in this context, refers to the central nervous system, which comprises the brain and nerves of the spinal cord. This system regulates how your body responds to signals from the rest of the body. PIXOLOGICSTUDIO / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images Sensitization is a gradual change in how your body reacts to a particular substance or stimuli. In the immune system, sensitization results in an allergy. In the central nervous system, the result is called a sensitivity. This is often described as a constant "wind up" that keeps your central nervous system on alert at all times. People tend to think of allergies and sensitivities as things you either have or don't, but these aren't necessarily life-long conditions. For example, you may not have a problem with a medication the first time you take it, but then have an allergic reaction the next time. The same can be true of food: you may have drunk milk throughout your childhood, only to become lactose intolerant in your 20s. You also hear about people "outgrowing" allergies and sensitivities. The key to understanding this is the term gradual change. First, you're exposed, possibly repeatedly. Then, over time, your body becomes more and more irritated by the substance until it rises to a problem level. Now let's put the words back together. Overview In central sensitization, the entire central nervous system becomes sensitized to certain stimuli. Central sensitization is considered by many experts to be a key mechanism behind fibromyalgia. Central sensitization may also be involved in certain aspects of chronic fatigue syndrome. It helps explain many of the symptoms of these illnesses, including the way the body and brain amplify pain signals. In these conditions, problem stimuli can include: light touch, which becomes painful bright or flashing light loud, grating, or repetitive noise strong or chemical odors heat, cold, or both textures, such as scratchy fabric against the skin Reactions to those stimuli can vary in intensity from person to person. They may also rise and fall along with other symptoms, especially in someone whose illness is characterized by flares (times of intense symptoms) and remissions (times of fewer and/or less intense symptoms). Reactions can include: headachenauseadizzinessirritationpainsensory overloadpanicconfusiona general increase in symptoms, when the reaction is tied to an illness Conditions believed to involve central sensitization are classified as central sensitivity syndromes. Along with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, this umbrella term covers: irritable bowel syndrome migraine restless legs syndrome myofascial pain syndrome multiple chemical sensitivity Causes The causes of central sensitivity aren't well understood. It may be due to any combination of the following: dysregulation of neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain)dysfunction of the body's stress-response system (HPA axis)inflammation in the nervous systemdysfunction in the autonomic nervous system, which deals with the "fight or flight" response 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Harte SE, Harris RE, Clauw DJ. The neurobiology of central sensitization. J Appl Behav Res. 2018;23(2). doi:10.1111/jabr.12137 Sluka KA, Clauw DJ. Neurobiology of fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain. Neuroscience. 2016;338:114-129. doi:10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.06.006 Lolignier S, Eijkelkamp N, Wood JN. Mechanical allodynia. Pflugers Arch. 2015;467(1):133-9. doi:10.1007/s00424-014-1532-0 Mayer TG, Neblett R, Cohen H, et al. The development and psychometric validation of the central sensitization inventory: validation of the central sensitization inventory. Pain Pract. 2012;12(4):276-285. doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2011.00493.x Neblett R, Cohen H, Choi Y, et al. The central sensitization inventory (CSI): establishing clinically significant values for identifying central sensitivity syndromes in an outpatient chronic pain sample. J Pain. 2013;14(5):438-445. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2012.11.012 By Adrienne Dellwo Adrienne Dellwo is an experienced journalist who was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and has written extensively on the topic. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? 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