Fibromyalgia is a chronic form of pain in various parts of the body and soft tissues such as muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons without any specific cause. It is known that about 2.2% of the population suffers from fibromyalgia, and it is known that it is particularly common among middle-aged people in their 30s and 50s. Among them, it is reported that the incidence rate of women is 9 times higher than that of men.
The cause of fibromyalgia is not clearly known. It is estimated that genetic factors as well as acquired and environmental factors act in a complex way to influence the occurrence. In particular, it is known that the risk of developing fibromyalgia is 13 times higher than that of the general public if there is a patient with fibromyalgia in the family. In addition, various factors such as trauma, viral infection, and hormonal abnormalities caused by hypothyroidism are known to affect the occurrence, and decrease the secretion of serotonin, a neurotransmitter closely related to pain control, and reduce stress. It is also said to be affected by psychological factors such as sensitivity to Now, let’s take a closer look at the main symptoms of fibromyalgia, as well as various information on treatment and management.
Main symptoms of fibromyalgia
The main symptom of fibromyalgia is systemic pain in the neck, shoulder, and back, and it is known that such pain occurs in about 95% of all patients. In addition, pain in the hands and feet, knees, chest, hip joints, wrists, ankles, and heels may appear, accompanied by general stiffness, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. In particular, when you wake up in the morning, the joints and muscles of your body are stiff, and although it improves somewhat during the daytime when you are active, it is known that if the symptoms are severe, they continue to appear during the daytime. In addition, abnormal sensations such as numbness in the hands, feet, arms, and face, abdominal discomfort, migraine, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation due to symptoms of irritable colitis may appear repeatedly. And nervous system abnormalities such as irritability and difficulty in concentration are also major symptoms of fibromyalgia.
If these symptoms of fibromyalgia persist, the severe pain can make it difficult to carry out normal daily activities. In addition, when neurological abnormalities such as irritability continue along with pain, the risk of developing mental disorders such as depression increases. Therefore, if you feel that you are experiencing severe fatigue, neck and shoulder pain, and memory and concentration problems for more than 3 months without any specific cause, you may suspect the occurrence of fibromyalgia. is said to be important. The onset of fibromyalgia cannot be prevented, and it is most important to quickly improve symptoms through early diagnosis and appropriate treatment by a specialist at the time of onset. In addition, fibromyalgia has similar initial symptoms to various diseases such as hypothyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Fibromyalgia Treatment and Management
1. Diagnosis and implementation of non-drug and drug treatment
Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by applying a symptom severity scale that evaluates the accompanying symptoms, such as the index of whole-body pain, cognitive ability, and somatic symptoms, as well as observation of clinical features. In addition, for the purpose of differential diagnosis, a more accurate diagnosis procedure will be carried out considering CT and blood tests. Based on the results of the diagnosis, treatment methods such as non-pharmaceutical and drug treatment are implemented. Non-drug treatment includes exercise therapy to relax muscles and improve cardiovascular function, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy to correct behavioral habits through observational learning. In addition, drug treatment includes pain relievers that reduce pain transmitters in the cerebrospinal fluid and antidepressants that increase the secretion of norepinephrine and serotonin. In addition, treatment with local injections at the tender points may be considered.
2. Steady aerobic exercise
Regular aerobic exercise is a very important management habit in alleviating and managing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Regular aerobic exercise such as walking, stretching, biking, and swimming can help relieve symptoms, and a combination of stretching and yoga is also helpful in management and treatment. It is recommended to start these exercises at a low level where no pain is felt, and it is recommended to increase the exercise for 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a week. If you feel uncomfortable after exercising for about 20 minutes, it is good to decrease the exercise time again and then gradually increase the time again. It is said that it is very important to continue doing these exercises as it is known that the effect of pain reduction disappears when you stop.
3. Stress Relief
Excessive emotional stress is known to be a major risk factor for aggravating the occurrence and symptoms of fibromyalgia, so it is important to properly manage and relieve stress with sufficient rest and hobbies. In addition, it is important to secure sufficient sleep time and create a comfortable and comfortable sleep environment as it is known that improving the quality of sleep is important in alleviating symptoms. However, excessive intake of caffeine is a factor that interferes with sleep, so it is important to control intake.
4. Eat foods that are good for fibromyalgia
In the treatment and management of fibromyalgia, it is said that it is also helpful to consume a variety of foods that help improve symptoms. It is said that regular intake of various vegetables and fruits rich in vitamins C and E, omega 3 fatty acids, and various antioxidants helps a lot in improving symptoms.
Citrus fruits such as tangerines and oranges, as well as blue fish, nuts, strawberries, avocados, broccoli, ginger, bananas, and cherries are among the foods that help relieve symptoms, so it is important to consume them regularly.
