What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, a chronic disease characterized by widespread muscle pain, tenderness, trigger points, and general fatigue, is a disease that significantly reduces the quality of life. Symptoms and complaints are not objective and cannot be measured by any test. Although there is no clear cause of the disease, it is often confused with other diseases. It is observed that the majority of the patient population in this problem, which affects approximately 1-2 percent of society, consists of women between the ages of 40-55.

What Causes Fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia has not yet been established. However, after many years of research, some factors have been found to trigger the disease. Accordingly, the factors thought to trigger fibromyalgia are listed as follows:

Infections Various: Previous infectious diseases can trigger fibromyalgia or worsen its symptoms.

Genetic factors: Fibromyalgia is more common among members of the same family. Research suggests that some genetic mutations may play a role in the development of fibromyalgia.

Stress: A source of stress, such as physical or emotional trauma, can have long-lasting effects on the body that last for months or years. Stress has also been associated with hormonal disorders that may contribute to fibromyalgia.

Personality structure: Fibromyalgia is more common in people with a sensitive, emotional, perfectionist, and impressionable personality.

Trauma: Fibromyalgia may occur more frequently in people who have experienced physical or emotional trauma. Complaints are associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The factors that cause people to experience chronic widespread pain in fibromyalgia syndrome are still not fully understood. Various theories suggest that the pain threshold is lowered and that something that was previously not painful becomes very painful over time. According to another theory, nerves, and receptors in the body become more sensitive to stimuli. This means that individuals may overreact to pain signals and feel unnecessary or exaggerated pain.

Fibromyalgia attacks can also occur as a result of stress, physical trauma, or a flu-like systemic illness. The overreaction of the brain and nervous system to misinterpret normal pain signals can be caused by an imbalance in a chemical substance in the brain.

What are Fibromyalgia Points?

Fibromyalgia often involves areas of the body called trigger points or tender points. Fibromyalgia points include 18 different areas that can cause pain even with light pressure. The pain caused by these trigger points can be described as a consistent dull pain that affects many parts of the body. If there is widespread pain and tenderness, the person is diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

Some of the trigger points:

They are the back of the head, upper shoulders, upper chest, hips, knees, and elbows. However, fibromyalgia points are no longer the focal point for diagnosis. Instead, fibromyalgia can be diagnosed if there is widespread pain that has persisted for more than three months and there is no diagnosable medical condition that can explain the pain.

What are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?

Apart from pain in tender points, fibromyalgia may also cause other symptoms. These symptoms are listed as follows:

• Fatigue,
• Sleep problems,
• Not feeling rested despite sleeping for a long time and having difficulty getting out of bed,
• Headache,
• Depressed mood,
• Anxiety,
• Difficulty focusing or paying attention,
• Pain in the lower abdomen,
• Difficulty breathing,
• Ringing in the ears,
• Lack of resistance to exercise and getting tired quickly.

Is There A Specific Risk Group For Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is more common in women than in men. Between 80 and 90 percent of patients are women. People with a family history of fibromyalgia have a higher incidence of the disease. Although fibromyalgia is not a form of arthritis, having a rheumatic disease such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can also increase the risk of developing the disease.

How Do Fibromyalgia Attacks Develop?

Usually, worsening pain and increased fatigue are the hallmarks of a fibromyalgia attack. During an attack, symptoms such as poor sleep quality, pessimistic negative thoughts, and digestive problems such as acid reflux, swelling, numbness, and tingling in the extremities increase significantly.

How to Diagnose Fibromyalgia?

According to the updated diagnostic criteria, fibromyalgia is diagnosed in patients with widespread pain that persists for three months or longer and has no medical cause. No laboratory test can detect fibromyalgia. However, blood tests can be used to exclude other causes of chronic pain.

How to Treat Fibromyalgia?

The goal of fibromyalgia treatment is to manage pain and improve quality of life. This is achieved through a two-stage approach including lifestyle changes and medication use. At Yeditepe University Complementary Medicine Center, acupuncture treatment is provided to patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Although the number and duration of acupuncture sessions vary according to the person, positive results are obtained in a short time. During the sessions, acupuncture's pain-relieving, antidepressant, muscle relaxant, and stress management properties are utilized. In addition, the importance of regular exercise and a balanced diet is explained to our patients and they are motivated to make this a lifestyle. In addition, acupuncture provides adequate and deep sleep.

Which Specialty Doctor Should I Go to for Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia patients can consult a rheumatology or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist for diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the patient can consult a physician who applies acupuncture treatment. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach. Acupuncture sessions are planned before or after the patient's treatment under the follow-up of a rheumatologist or physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. In addition, if deemed necessary by the specialist, a psychiatrist or psychologist may also support the process. Massage and physical therapy exercises by a physiotherapist are also among the supportive applications.