The causes of fibromyalgia are still unknown, but there are some situations that can make pain worse, such as excessive physical exertion, emotional stress, infections, exposure to cold, sleep disturbances or physical trauma.
Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout the body and other symptoms such as increased sensitivity to pain, tiredness, stiff muscles and unrefreshing sleep, affecting women more in their 35s and 50s.
Low pain tolerance in fibromyalgia can occur because there is increased sensitivity to pain, making small stimuli very painful. When pain is felt, the brain receives this information and adjusts the intensity of the pain, but in fibromyalgia this mechanism is altered, causing pain that intensifies to the touch.
Non-repairing sleep in fibromyalgia is related to the fact that these individuals do not enter sleep phase 4, where the body recovers from daytime fatigue, worsening pain.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
Fibromyalgia, despite having an unknown cause, can be treated with pain relievers and muscle relaxants, for example, indicated by the rheumatologist, as well as anxiety remedies and sleep inducers prescribed by the neurologist or psychiatrist.
In addition, physical therapy and some alternative techniques, such as aromatherapy, hydrotherapy or acupuncture, for example, are also a great way to treat fibromyalgia as they help to decrease and relieve symptoms.
Learn more about fibromyalgia treatment.
