Tiredness and headaches could be signs of 'invisible' condition as expert says it 'can start slowly'

Headaches, fatigue and muscle stiffness could all be signs, alongside other symptoms, of an 'invisible' condition, an expert says. Expert Jamie shared the signs she sees most often in people with fibromyalgia - a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body.

The exact cause of the condition is unknown, but it's thought to be related to abnormal levels of certain chemicals in the brain and changes in the way the central nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves) processes pain messages carried around the body, The Mirror reports.

It's also suggested that some people are more likely to develop fibromyalgia because of genes inherited from their parents. In many cases, the condition appears to be triggered by things that are physical or emotional like an injury, an infection or stress.

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The symptoms of fibromyalgia are changeable – for example, they can sometimes suddenly improve or get worse - and you should see a GP if you think you have fibromyalgia. Treatment can ease some of the symptoms, although they're unlikely to disappear completely.

According to the NHS, as well as widespread pain, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include :

• increased sensitivity to pain

• muscle stiffness

• difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, which can make you feel very tired (fatigue)

• problems with mental processes (known as "fibro-fog"), such as difficulty concentrating or remembering things

• headaches

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a digestive condition that causes stomach pain and bloating

• feelings of frustration, worry or low mood

Jaime, a clinical naturopath, shares helpful videos and advice on TikTok as @nourishingapothecary and has recently discussed the three main causes of Fibromyalgia she often sees in patients.

The caption read: "What are the main causes of fibromyalgia, just from my professional opinion as someone who has worked with many people with fibromyalgia in the past." In the almost three-minute-long clip, she listed the causes and why tracing back the root cause of your condition is so important.

She said: "When it comes to fibromyalgia what are the main root causes that I see in my clinical practice as a naturopath that works with people with fibromyalgia and a variety of other conditions - mainly women and family health but I do a bit of everything. So my name is Jaime now when it comes to fibromyalgia my focus is to figure out what the root cause is.

"So say for example you went to Bali, you got sick with the tummy bug and never well since then and then that kind of sparked it off, same with the virus and then lastly the other big one is trauma right. When there's been a significant traumatic period of life in your time and then that sets you up with Fibromyalgia.

"Sometimes it starts really slowly and just gradually gets worse and then sometimes it actually does start quite suddenly, so when I identify what the cause is, my direction is then tailored depending on which route it is."

She added: "So it's identifying what the root cause is, that's the direction that I take, that's why if you guys are like oh 'what was in that potion', 'what did you give her', I can't say because I can't give you personalised advice right, I'm not allowed to but also if your case is totally different, I don't know what your root cause is, that's why we need to kinda work it through and that's why it's a big deal when we go through a big consultation.

"It's a whole process, really digging and peeking the pieces of this very complicated puzzle together so it makes sense but your symptoms are so valid, they're so real and that's why I'm so extensive with my case histories."