Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder that causes muscle joint pain and fatigue, especially in the back, neck, shoulders and hips.
What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
More than 3 months of widespread body pain occurs. Pain is the main symptom. The pain felt in muscles and joints can vary from day to day, week to week. Although the location of the pain tends to circulate in different parts of the body, it is most commonly felt in the neck, waist, arms, chest, hips and legs.
- Restless sleep is very common
- Fatigue in the morning and later in the day,
- Tension or migraine headache, head may feel dizzy
- Difficulty concentrating,
- There may be numbness or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, legs or face.
- There may be gastrointestinal complaints such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation and diarrhea.
- Premenstrual tension, painful periods
- Frequent Urination
Not all of these complaints may occur at the same time, and symptoms vary from person to person. However, muscle and joint pain, restless sleep and fatigue are the most common complaints.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The cause of fibromyalgia is not known for certain.
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Restless sleep
- It is thought to be associated with some rheumatic and hormonal diseases.
- Excessive exercise or heavy sports,
- Inactivity,
- Cold and damp weather,
- Psychological stresses increase pain.
How is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Lasting longer than 3 months, widespread pain in the body and the occurrence of hypersensitivity by pressing on at least 11 of 18 sensitive points is the first indispensable condition for the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.
The presence of at least 3 of the common findings in fibromyalgia and any of the other accompanying findings together will support the diagnosis. These complaints increase in the mornings during inactivity, cold, humidity, gloomy indoor weather and excessive activities, unhappiness, and decrease in hot weather, massage or hot applications and even on vacation.
In fact, it is very difficult to diagnose fibromyalgia because of the close resemblance of such symptoms to those found in other diseases. This is why the doctor has to fully question the patient's medical history. If these symptoms persist for more than 3 months, fibromyalgia should be suspected.
Which tests should be performed during diagnosis?
In fibromyalgia; There is no definitive diagnostic method such as laboratory, x-ray. These can only be of value in differential diagnosis. For this purpose, complete blood count, urinalysis, thyroid hormone tests or rheumatism tests may be requested. In summary, the doctor should make the diagnosis not only on the basis of the patient's tests and X-rays, but also after listening to the patient and examining him/her in detail.
The "Fibromyalgia RISK TEST", which includes sensitive point detection and some standard questions, must be performed in patients. By doing this test, you can get information about whether you have Fibromyalgia.
What Should Patients Pay Attention To?
Patients should not give up on life despite all their problems and should lead a participatory life. All vital functions of the patient that are restricted should be increased again. The main goal should be to teach patients strategies for coping with pain and other problems in stages. Physician-patient cooperation is extremely important in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Therefore, the first step of the treatment is the education of the patient and his/her relatives. Secondly, exercise therapy increases fitness, reduces traumas and external harmful stimuli and can break the vicious cycle of pain. Medication, physical therapy methods, local injections, proper diet and regular water drinking are among the treatment methods.
At which ages is it common? Is it more common in women or men?
Although fibromyalgia can be seen at any age and in both sexes, it is more common in women than men between the ages of 30-60. The most obvious reason for this is that women's bodies are more easily deformed than men.