4. Depression
Fibromyalgia exposes a link between depression and joint/muscle pain. And in fact, we see this commonly with a host of related conditions. Depression will often be felt as physical pain, and likewise, you will often find that you feel tired and blue when you have a cold or flu.
So why might this be? One potential explanation is pro-inflammatory cytokines can lead to both depression and serious pain.
Pro-inflammatory cytokines are produced in response to illness or injury and serve the role of increased inflammation in the body. This is a good thing, as it helps flood the affected area with antibodies, and it makes it less hospitable for any invading bacteria.
But while these molecules are useful, when inflammation becomes chronic and they don’t subside as they are meant to, it can end up causing more problems than it solves – leading to a build-up of inflammation in the joints and brain and leaving you feeling exhausted and achy.
And meanwhile, this same inflammation in the brain can cause tiredness and even depression. This is why we often feel low and unable to concentrate when we are ill.