Fibromyalgia Syndrome is a soft tissue rheumatism that causes widespread pain and sensitivity in the musculoskeletal system. Fibromyalgia Syndrome, which is among the syndromes that cause long-term pain and disability, is also called soft tissue rheumatism or muscle rheumatism. According to statistics, 80 - 90% of patients are women between the ages of 40-60.
Although the cause of Fibromyalgia Syndrome is not exactly known, sleep disorder, pain perception disorder, nervous system and hormonal system disorders, overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. is accused. The most basic symptom of Fibromyalgia Syndrome is widespread musculoskeletal pain. Cold and humid weather, poor quality sleep, stress, lack of physical activity and noise are factors that increase pain. Factors that reduce pain are heat, rest, moderate activity, stretching exercises and massage. Waking up tired in the morning and weakness that continues throughout the day are also prominent features. Other symptoms include stiffness, feeling of swelling in soft tissues, and numbness, especially in the morning or after inactivity. The cause of the swelling sensation and numbness is unknown. A careful physical examination is important as it is not related to the person's psychological state. Other symptoms and syndromes accompanying Fibromyalgia Syndrome are headache, dizziness, diarrhea or constipation, tinnitus, painful menstrual period, dry eye symptoms, restless legs syndrome, color change in the hands and feet that occurs with cold, namely Reynaud's phenomenon.
Diagnosing Fibromyalgia Syndrome is not very easy because there is no laboratory test specific to the disease. A careful physical examination and some laboratory tests are important in making a diagnosis. On physical examination, patients appear healthy. They may seem anxious and depressed at times. During the examination, no obvious problem is detected other than soft tissue and skin findings. There may be a slight loss of joint range of motion due to pain. Widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and tender points in certain parts of the body that persist for at least 3 months are sufficient for the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome. Being a woman, early and middle age, disruption of sleep patterns, family history and rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus are for Fibromyalgia Syndrome. These are risk factors.
In treatment, it is important to educate the patient and address his concerns, identify factors that increase symptoms, and eliminate them. The patient should be told that this disease is long-term and that although the pain is constant, it does not harm the body. 70% of patients with fibromyalgia have sleep problems. Improving sleep quality is an important part of pain treatment. The basis of treatment is drug therapy and physical therapy practices. Painkillers, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, sleep regulators and magnesium-containing drugs are used as drug treatment. Hot packs, deep heaters, and electrical stimulations with pain relieving effects are preferred as physical therapy applications. The oxygen taken during ozone therapy reduces headaches and fatigue due to fibromyalgia, strengthens the body's defense system, and helps with allergies and asthma. However, there are also regular massage and manual therapy applications and trigger point injections applied by a specialist physician. Exercise has an important place in fibromyalgia syndrome.
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