Pain caused by autoimmune diseases

Pain caused by autoimmune diseases; when the immune system attacks the body

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the immune system mistakenly identifies healthy tissues of the body as foreign and attacks them. The result of this inappropriate response is chronic inflammation, tissue destruction, and persistent physical pain—pain that is often multidimensional, deep, and resistant to simple treatments.

The main mechanisms of pain in autoimmune diseases include:

• Chronic inflammation of tissues and joints
• Involvement of peripheral and central nerves
• Damage to muscles, ligaments, and fascia
• Disruption of the body’s natural healing process
• Increased sensitivity of the nervous system to pain

These factors cause the patient to experience severe pain even with mild stimulation.

The most common pains associated with autoimmune diseases

Joint pain

• Pain, swelling, and morning stiffness
• Common in rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, spondylitis
• Limited mobility and reduced quality of life

Muscle pain

• Diffuse or deep muscle pain
• Feeling of extreme fatigue and weakness
• Common in fibromyalgia and myositis

Nerve pain

• Burning, tingling, shooting
• Peripheral nerve involvement
• Common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and lupus

Spinal pain

• Neck, back and waist pain
• Chronic stiffness and inflammatory pain
• Pain that is worse at rest and improves with movement

Common autoimmune diseases associated with pain

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Fibromyalgia
• Ankylosing spondylitis
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Psoriasis arthritides
• Vasculitides

Why is autoimmune pain difficult to diagnose?

Many patients, despite severe pain:

• MRI and initial tests are normal
• Their symptoms are variable and unpredictable
• Their pain is exacerbated by stress and fatigue

For this reason, these patients sometimes remain without an accurate diagnosis for years.

The role of stress and psychological distress in exacerbating autoimmune pain

Chronic stress can:

• Stimulate the immune system
• Increase inflammation
• Increase pain intensity and frequency of disease recurrence

For this reason, treating autoimmune pain is not just about medication and requires a comprehensive approach.

Pain management approach in the treatment of autoimmune pain

On the Pain Medicine website, the emphasis is on multidimensional and person-centered treatment, including:

• Control inflammation
• Reduce nerve sensitivity
• Improve muscle and fascia function
• Manage stress and psychosomatic pain
• Use of non-invasive complementary methods (such as laser therapy in selected cases)

The goal is not only to reduce pain, but also to restore the patient’s quality of life.

Conclusion

Pain caused by autoimmune diseases is complex, chronic, and goes beyond a simple physical problem. A proper diagnosis, a holistic view of the body and mind, and choosing the right treatment can change the course of a patient’s life.