The causes of fibromyalgia are still unknown, but there are some situations that can worsen pain, such as excessive physical effort, emotional stress, infections, exposure to cold, sleep disorders or physical trauma.
Fibromyalgia causes pain throughout the body and other symptoms such as increased sensitivity to pain, tiredness, muscle stiffness and non-restorative sleep, affecting women between 35 and 50 years of age more.
Poor tolerance to pain in fibromyalgia can occur because there is an increase in sensitivity to pain, making small stimuli very painful. When pain is felt, the brain receives this information and adjusts the intensity of the pain, however, in fibromyalgia this mechanism is altered, causing pain that intensifies on touch.
Non-restorative sleep in fibromyalgia is related to the fact that these individuals do not enter phase 4 of sleep, where the body recovers from the tiredness of the day, worsening the pain.
Treatment of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia, despite having an unknown cause, can be treated with analgesic remedies and muscle relaxants, for example, indicated by the rheumatologist, as well as remedies for anxiety and sleep inducers prescribed by the neurologist or psychiatrist.
In addition, physiotherapy and some alternative techniques, such as aromatherapy, hydrotherapy or acupuncture, for example, are also a great way to treat fibromyalgia, as they help to reduce and relieve symptoms.
Learn more about fibromyalgia treatment.
