VERIFIED CONTENTConsultation: prof. dr hab. n. med. Włodzimierz Samborski, rheumatologist

Fibromyalgia (FMS) is a chronic rheumatic disease of soft tissues. It manifests itself with a feeling of exhaustion, stiffness in the morning, and pain in muscles and bones throughout the body comes with other changing ailments. What are the causes and symptoms of fibromyalgia? How is fibromyalgia treated?

Fibromyalgiais mainly characterized by extensive (muscular) aches and pains as well as general fatigue and sleep problems. Fibromyalgia sufferers travel from doctor to doctor and rarely find help. Why? Because laboratory tests do not show changes that indicate a specific ailment. For example, there is no rheumatoid factor in the blood that is characteristic of other rheumatic diseases. So how to treat a patient who says that everything hurts him and it is impossible to determine a specific cause?

Doctors believe that the reported ailments are a symptom of hysteria, not a specific disease. It has been estimated that during the 5 years of the disease, the patient is visited by at least 15 specialists. Each of them prescribes medications, recommends something, but there is no improvement in well-being.

Fibromyalgia: unbearable pain

Making a diagnosis is indeed a difficult task, because the disease is very heterogeneous. No two people suffer in the same way. Fibromyalgia can occur alone or with other conditions.

Pain may be in a part of the body or it may appear anywhere in it. It usually starts near the lower back, from where it radiates along the spine to the back of the head, to the shoulders, elbows and hands, hips, and finally to the knees and ankles. Ailments also extend to the chest, tendons and ligaments, and even the jaws. Characteristic of fibromyalgia is the occurrence of the so-called pain points. Muscle and bone pain can be deep, diffuse, or chronic. Patients complain of throbbing, piercing, twisting, stabbing and shooting pains in the muscles.

Fibromyalgia is a vicious cycle - pain leads to muscle tension, which in turn makes the symptoms even more severe. Often there are also neurological disorders: numbness and tingling. Muscle stiffness appears in the morning. It is not known why the pain increases and decreases. Usually it is felt more strongly in cold orwet days, sleepless nights, after exhausting physical or mental work.

Constant fatigue - a symptom of fibromyalgia

In addition to muscle pains, patients complain of general fatigue, weakened immunity, severe sleep disorders, and enlarged lymph nodes. Overwhelming fatigue does not allow you to perform the simplest activities. With the development of the disease, independence is significantly reduced.

Insomnia is common with fibromyalgia. Sleep disorders are associated with an abnormal rhythm of melatonin, cortisol and DHEA secretion. Research also indicates abnormalities in the NREM (deep sleep) phase - this prevents deep and regenerating sleep, as it is constantly interrupted by sudden brain activity (as if taken out of deep sleep). Hence the overwhelming fatigue.

Other symptoms accompanying the disease are equally troublesome. Often there are intestinal and bladder hypersensitivity, migraine-like headaches, restless legs syndrome, memory and concentration disorders, skin hypersensitivity, rashes, dry eyes and mouth, anxiety, depression, ringing in the ears, dizziness, visual and coordination disturbances. Patients complain about the so-called lumps in the throat, cold hands and feet. There are also ailments from the internal organs ( although they are not damaged). It happens uncontrolled, rapid breathing, palpitations at rest, stomach discomfort, constipation or a tendency to diarrhea, frequent urination.

Typical symptoms of fibromyalgia

  • neck pain radiating to the neck and shoulders
  • lower back pain radiating upwards
  • presence of areas particularly sensitive to touch
  • deterioration of mood, depression, fatigue, anxiety, lack of energy
  • trouble sleeping, waking up in the morning with a sore and stiff spine
  • migraine
  • intestinal trouble (from constipation to diarrhea)

What causes fibromyalgia

If the factors listed below appear singly, the body will deal with them. If they accumulate, they can cause fibromyalgia.

  • physical diseases and injuries
  • significant and inappropriate physical exertion
  • family concerns
  • parting with loved ones
  • life crises
  • psychological harm
  • social position decline
  • insulation
  • depression
  • mobbing
  • job problems
  • financial problems

Is this fibromyalgia?

The doctor conducts an interview and examines the sensitivity of specific points on the body. The following is evidence of fibromyalgia:

  • PainWidespread in all parts of the body and lasting a minimum of three months.
  • Pain or tenderness that occurs after pressing at least 11 of the 18 characteristic points. Their sensitivity is measured with a special device - a dolorimeter. The doctor checks the pressure of the pressure and gradually increases it to see when the feeling of pressure changes to pain.

Treatment of fibromyalgia

No drug can eradicate fibromyalgia. However, some measures can provide relief if properly used, such as anti-depressants.

Patients most often take painkillers, and because they are ineffective, they resort to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which relieve pain in less than a quarter of cases. Muscle relaxants produce the desired effect in only a few. And related tranquilizers and sleeping pills are addictive. Therefore, they should be used as rarely as possible.

Symptoms of the disease are alleviated by taking Myalgan regularly. It adds energy, improves well-being, reduces muscle tension, improves blood circulation and relieves pain. The preparation contains, among others special bio-fortified extracts (BioEnhanced Extraction) from daisy leaves. Extracts are widely used in combating various types of pain, including migraine headache, neuralgia, stomach aches, etc. The extract also helps with gastrointestinal disorders, urinary tract disorders, palpitations, swelling, fever, night sweats. It also contains bio-fortified extracts of grape leaves, olives and pineapple fruit, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

The success of therapy depends on lifestyle changes. The doctor must teach the patient to treat the body differently. If possible, eliminate monotonous activities from life or spread them over time. Repeating the same actions increases the tension in muscles and tendons, so it can cause pain. The same goes for housework or hobbies (knitting will make the pain worse).

Important

About 36 percent of patients suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome. population. In Poland, it is 1.2-2.4 million people. Usually these are women between 35-55. years of age, and men between 45-55 years of age. year of life. But the disease can appear at any age, and it affects children as well.

We still don't know where it comes from. Most specialists agree on one thing: Patients experience more pain because of incorrect processing of sensory inputs in the central nervous system.

Detailed research shows many irregularities, e.g. an increased level of the so-called substance P in the spinal cord, low blood flow around the thalamus, pituitary axis failure, low levelsserotonin and tryptophan, cytokine malfunction.

Some people blame the development of fibromyalgia on a genetic predisposition. It is also known that the disease develops more often in people who lose their parents at a young age, have been mistreated, or have congenital or acquired changes in the spine or joints.

It might help with fibromyalgia

It is extremely important to relax and unwind. You can choose one of the relaxation techniques and use it regularly. Isometric exercises are also recommended to help fight stress - dangerous in fibromyalgia.

Movement is an irreplaceable medicine. Gymnastics should begin with a warm-up. Proper training must be adapted to fitness. We exercise as much as our body allows. It can be difficult at first, but over time you find that regular training reduces pain. Relief is provided by physical therapy (mainly TENS - electrical nerve stimulation), cryotherapy, heat treatment, massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy.

Living with a chronic disease is a challenge for both the patient and his family. In order not to worsen relations with relatives, the help of a psychologist is sometimes needed. Working with him is aimed at increasing self-esteem, fighting stress, learning conflict resolution, etc.

Glossary

  • Substance P - (neuropeptide) released from nerve fibers. It is found in the central nervous system and in the amniotic parts of the nervous system. Responsible for the expansion of blood vessels.
  • Serotonin - a hormone important for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Its level affects mood, pain perception, sleep quality, sexual needs, appetite and impulsive behavior.
  • Tryptophan - an amino acid that is part of proteins, e.g. cow's milk. It is not produced in the human body. Must be provided with food.
  • Cytokines - known as immune system hormones. They influence growth and stimulate the activity of cells of the immune system.
  • Melatonin - a hormone produced by the pineal gland, eye retina and the digestive system. It regulates the processes of falling asleep, influences the sleep phases.
  • Cortisol - a hormone produced by the cortex of the adrenal glands. It is called the stress hormone because it increases blood glucose levels.
  • DHEA - a hormone that slows down the aging process of the body.

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Spine, bones, joints