Fibromyalgia that severely impairs quality of life; It can be defined as burnout syndrome, chronic pain syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as a soft tissue rheumatism that is accompanied by complaints such as common and persistent muscle pain in the morning, stiffness and fatigue in the body in the morning. Fibromyalgia is not a separate disease, but a combination of signs and symptoms accompanied by widespread muscle pain, headache, fatigue, exhaustion, weakness, sleep disturbances, and sometimes problems with going to the toilet, which we call spastic colitis.
Patients with a chronic disease who have complaints such as “I am very tired, I feel like I have run out of energy” apply to doctors of various branches for years because of undiagnosed pain complaints. Since the correct diagnosis cannot be made, the complaints of the patients seem to have decreased or gone, but after a while they start again. Studies show that there are 1.3 million fibromyalgia patients in our country, but the number of people suffering from this disease is higher than the stated figure because fibromyalgia is masked by other diseases due to many symptoms.
It affects daily life badly as it reduces the quality of work in people and reduces attention and perception. It reduces motivation and productivity as it affects your enjoyment of life. We can say that fibromyalgia, which negatively affects the economy, business life and daily life, is the ‘disease of the age’. If fibromyalgia is not treated; It causes a decrease in quality of life and loss of workforce. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known exactly
. It is mostly seen in people with sensitive structures and people who are easily affected by everything. It is common among perfectionists, workaholics, and those who work in environments with unsuitable environmental factors. Fibromyalgia is most common in women and young adults. It increases especially during menopause. The stress and anxiety caused by the changing hormonal systems (menstrual periods, menopause) in women cause situations that are difficult to cope with. This situation prepares the ground for the recurrence and settlement of the disease. Cortisol hormone studies, which emphasize the effect of menopause and stress on the disease in women, also support this. In addition to physiological factors such as women’s menstrual periods, menopause and changes in hormonal balances; Factors such as lack of exercise habits, overloading their bodies at home, excessive cleaning or frequently changing the place of household items predispose to fibromyalgia. In addition, environmental factors such as exposure to cold and heat difference can be counted among the causes of fibromyalgia.
The most typical of the symptoms of the disease is the pain that occurs in the morning, which can be felt in a single area such as the neck, back and waist, or widely throughout the body. Fibromyalgia pain is variously described by patients as ‘throbbing, deep or sharp’. Pain can also be accompanied by intense burning, twitching and stiffness in the muscles. It means that the pain starts from one place and spreads to the whole body as burning and aching. Sleeping disorder; Sleeping too much, sometimes insomnia, as a result, the mood of the person deteriorates with the sleep that is not deep and does not rest. Burning pains can sometimes be accompanied by complaints such as a feeling of imbalance, abdominal pain and a change in toileting habits.
Complaints and symptoms must persist for three months for diagnosis. It is essential to be sensitive to pain at at least 12 points (head-neck transition point on the back of the neck, front side of the faith board, shoulder heads, outer surface of the elbow, inner surfaces of the scapula, waist-hip transition point, outer side of the hip, inner parts of the knee, etc.). . Diagnosis is made by the examinations to be made as well as the patient’s complaints and history. Since it is often confused with other diseases such as low back and neck pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, hypothyroidism and sleep disorders, the examinations to be performed are of great importance.
Since it is a complicated disease, support can be obtained from many branches in its treatment. Under the chairmanship of a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist; Get help from psychologists and physiotherapists. Consultation support from other branch physicians is obtained when necessary, and the treatment is directed in a multidisciplinary manner.
In order not to be fibromyalgic, we should dress appropriately for the weather conditions, avoid stuffy environments, not stay in air currents, learn ways to avoid stress and fight stress, get psychologist support if necessary to live at peace with ourselves, eat healthy and arrange work and rest hours appropriately, ergonomic seat, appropriate height We should arrange objects that have an important place in our business life, such as a table, a computer monitor at eye level, a keyboard that prevents the elbow and arm from falling, we should acquire hobbies that are suitable for ourselves, we should do sports that are suitable for ourselves.
In summary, we must ensure our soul and body integrity by planning our personal way of life.
