Fibromyalgia is a soft tissue rheumatism characterized by widespread and chronic pain, especially in areas such as the neck, shoulders, back, and lower back affecting the body. Along with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), excessive gas in the intestines, bowel dysfunction, and similar symptoms often accompany the condition.
Instead of defining fibromyalgia as a disease on its own, it is more accurate to define it as a syndrome that occurs with various symptoms.
Fibromyalgia and the accompanying symptoms impair quality of life, and are often associated with memory and attention deficits, a decline in academic performance, dissatisfaction in sexual life, and decreased work productivity, among many other negative aspects.
Fibromyalgia diagnosis is made through clinical findings and physical examination. The cause of the disease is often not identified. Fibromyalgia is more common in middle-aged women. It is more frequently observed in people who work in stressful, intense, and physically demanding jobs. Intense physical activities, heavy work, cold and damp environments also exacerbate fibromyalgia. On the other hand, mild exercises, walking, warm environments, yoga, and meditation help alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms.
In fibromyalgia cases, there are several tender points in the neck, back, shoulders, lower back, and hips. When pressure is applied to these points, patients experience severe pain. Additionally, it is observed that pain is more intense in the mornings in these patients. Muscle stiffness is frequently observed, and as a result, they experience difficulty and pain when trying to get up from a seated position. Another symptom commonly seen in fibromyalgia patients is frequent muscle cramps. Another accompanying symptom is an increased sensitivity to cold and hot compared to normal individuals. Sleep disorders, forgetfulness, difficulty learning, anxiety, adjustment problems, unhappiness, and chronic depression are also observed with FIBROMYALGIA.
Laboratory analyses in fibromyalgia patients have shown that SEROTONIN and DOPAMINE levels are lower than normal. These findings direct us to the gut.
Disruptions in the digestive system flora (SIBO, Dysbiosis) impair gut health, causing dysfunction in digestion, synthesis, and absorption. Our gut plays an important role in serotonin and dopamine production. Disorders in serotonin and dopamine production in individuals with unhealthy gut flora highlight the importance of gut health in the formation of FIBROMYALGIA.
Along with Leaky Gut Syndrome, a protein called ZONULIN is more intensely lost from the intestines, leading to nerve conduction disorders, depression, and cognitive dysfunctions. The same findings are also observed in FIBROMYALGIA cases.
Fibromyalgia is not considered an autoimmune disease. However, in all fibromyalgia cases, “Digestive System Flora Disorder” and the subsequently developed “Leaky Gut Syndrome” frequently accompany the condition. Sometimes, FIBROMYALGIA appears as the first symptom of “Leaky Gut Syndrome.”
“Leaky Gut Syndrome” is one of the most critical thresholds for the onset of autoimmunity. With the partial or complete loss of the gut’s “selective permeability,” undigested macromolecules, toxins, and pathogens enter the bloodstream uncontrollably, and the defense system components in the blood, known as “T lymphocytes,” try to eliminate them. However, if the disruption in the selective permeability of the gut continues for a long time, the exhausted and disoriented “T lymphocytes” mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues, recognizing them as foreign or harmful. This leads to AUTOIMMUNITY and autoimmune diseases. After any autoimmune disease occurs, the emergence of other autoimmune diseases tends to be faster, meaning that once one autoimmune disease develops, a domino effect of subsequent autoimmune diseases occurs.
Symptoms accompanying Leaky Gut Syndrome cover those observed with fibromyalgia and more. Therefore, “Leaky Gut Syndrome” should always be kept in mind as an underlying cause in fibromyalgia cases. It cannot be said that all fibromyalgia cases are caused by Leaky Gut Syndrome. However, almost all cases of Leaky Gut Syndrome are accompanied by FIBROMYALGIA.
As a result of the sleep quality disruption caused by fibromyalgia and the very limited duration of deep sleep, individuals will wake up feeling fatigued and insufficiently rested, even after a long sleep. Since fibromyalgia makes it difficult to fall into deep sleep, CHRONIC FATIGUE becomes an inevitable outcome. As a result of chronic fatigue, there are observed symptoms such as decreased motivation, attention deficit, learning difficulties, academic decline, depression, anxiety, menstrual irregularities, and loss of sexual desire.
Assessing patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue for “Leaky Gut Syndrome,” conducting microbial analysis of stool, and correctly diagnosing and planning treatment is crucial. If there is underlying FLORA DAMAGE and secondary Leaky Gut Syndrome, SIBO, or Dysbiosis, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue cannot be treated without restoring a healthy flora.
Currently, for the treatment of fibromyalgia, patients are given analgesics (painkillers), anti-inflammatory drugs, and antidepressants. Physical therapy, heat therapy, and massage treatments are also applied. In addition to all these, psychological counseling is recommended. These treatments are entirely aimed at reducing symptoms (findings) and must be applied for life. However, if damage to the digestive system flora is detected in fibromyalgia patients, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue can be permanently treated with the restoration of flora through FLORA TRANSPLANT.
ALL FIBROMYALGIA CASES MUST FIRST BE EVALUATED FOR “FLORA DAMAGE.” If there is flora damage, FIBROMYALGIA can be treated with FLORA TRANSPLANT in a single session. FLORA TRANSPLANT therapy not only treats fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue but also treats all accompanying symptoms (depression, anxiety, attention deficit, loss of sexual desire, sleep disturbances, etc.).
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Murat KANLIÖZ
General Surgery Specialist
What Are the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia symptoms manifest as tenderness and pain at specific points on the body. In addition to pain in the lower back and neck, pain can also occur in the shoulders, elbows, knees, and hands. Patients may also experience tension-type headaches.
Fibromyalgia is a soft tissue rheumatism characterized by general muscle pain and chronic pain in specific areas of the body. The disease is accompanied by various physical and psychological symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, and depression. Fibromyalgia syndrome is seen in approximately 3% of the population, and it is more common in women.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by sensitivity in the musculoskeletal system, causing muscle and joint pain, and symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, memory problems, and mood disorders.
How Does Fibromyalgia Go Away?
What is Fibromyalgia? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
There is no definitive cure for fibromyalgia. Medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes can help manage pain. Muscle rheumatism does not cause permanent damage to the body, but it is important to keep the muscles and joints strong to minimize complaints.
What Triggers Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia Causes
Stress, anxiety, depression, heavy work schedule, excessive exercise, humid and cold environments, sleep disorders, prolonged computer use, and many other conditions are related to fibromyalgia.
If fibromyalgia is not treated with medications and physical therapy, the quality of life of the person decreases, and the pain can last for a lifetime, leading to depressive disorders and deepening the person’s tendency to depression.
What is Fibromyalgia (Muscle Rheumatism)? What Are the Symptoms?
Fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disease of the musculoskeletal system. The disease is characterized by widespread pain throughout the body. Fibromyalgia, which can affect people of all age groups, is most commonly seen in middle-aged women.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia, or fibromyalgia syndrome, is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain in the body.
Fibromyalgia can cause many symptoms in patients. While the symptoms seen in each patient are different, the most common fibromyalgia symptoms are as follows:
- Widespread Pain: This is the most typical symptom of fibromyalgia. Patients experience a general pain that spreads throughout the body. For the pain to be considered widespread, it must affect both sides of the body and be felt both above and below the waist. In fibromyalgia, the pain is especially concentrated in areas such as the back and neck. The pain may be a throbbing, aching pain that lasts for several months.
- Stiffness: After staying in the same position for a long time, fibromyalgia patients may experience stiffness, which can result in limited mobility. For example, these patients may have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning or may experience problems when getting up from the table after eating.
- Excessive Sensitivity: Patients with fibromyalgia may experience increased sensitivity to pain. Even in situations where pain would normally not be felt, they may experience pain. Additionally, the duration of pain after minor trauma may be prolonged in these patients.
- Muscle Cramps: Patients may experience pain and tenderness during muscle contractions.
- Fatigue: Fatigue is a common symptom in fibromyalgia patients. The severity of fatigue can vary from patient to patient. While some patients experience mild fatigue, others may have such severe fatigue that it interferes with daily activities.
- Sleep Quality Disturbance: Patients may experience a significant decrease in sleep quality. Even if they sleep for a sufficient amount of time, they may wake up feeling tired and unrested. This is because the deep sleep phase, which allows the body to rejuvenate during sleep, is shortened due to fibromyalgia. Patients with poor sleep quality may experience distractions, inability to concentrate, lethargy, and low energy during the day.
- Cognitive Issues: Fibromyalgia patients may have problems with thinking, learning, and memory formation. Their cognitive abilities may be described as foggy or unclear. Cognitive dysfunctions in these patients may lead to issues with memory recall and slow speech.
- Extreme Sensitivity to Heat or Cold: Fibromyalgia disrupts the body’s ability to regulate temperature. As a result, patients may perceive even normal temperatures as either very cold or very hot.
Fibromyalgia can be seen alongside certain other conditions. The diseases that are frequently seen with fibromyalgia include:
- Chronic headaches
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Painful Bladder Syndrome
- Dysmenorrhea (Painful menstruation)
- Restless Legs Syndrome
What Causes Fibromyalgia?
Although the exact causes of fibromyalgia are not fully understood, several mechanisms are thought to play a role in the development of the disease. These include:
Changes in the Nervous System: Pain is transmitted from specialized nerve cells in the body to the brain. This transmission occurs through various molecules. Changes in the types or concentrations of these molecules can lead to fibromyalgia.
Changes in Hormone Levels: Several hormones involved in pain transmission and processing in the brain can influence the development of the disease. For example, serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine levels have been found to be lower than normal in fibromyalgia patients. These hormones affect not only pain but also sleep, appetite, behavior, and mood. Thus, changes in hormone levels contribute to other symptoms in addition to pain.
Genetics: Some individuals are thought to be predisposed to developing fibromyalgia. The clustering of the disease in some families suggests that genetic factors may play an important role in its development.
Several factors can influence the development of fibromyalgia. There are triggers that lead to fibromyalgia flare-ups in patients.
These triggering factors include:
- Trauma
- Infection
- Severe surgical operations
What Are the Fibromyalgia Points?
In fibromyalgia, when pressure is applied to certain points on the body, pain is triggered. These points are called tender points. There are 9 tender points on the right side and 9 on the left side of the body, making a total of 18 points. These points are symmetrically located and are considered a characteristic feature of the disease.
Locations of Fibromyalgia Points:
- Neck (occiput)
- Trapezius (upper back)
- Supraspinatus (near the middle of the shoulder blade, together with the trapezius point)
- Gluteal (upper outer part of the buttocks)
- Greater trochanter (outer part of the upper thigh where it meets the hip)
- Neck
- Second rib (just below the point where the clavicle and ribs meet)
- Elbow (inner and lateral sides)
- Knee (inner side)
Tender points are used to differentiate diseases causing pain similar to fibromyalgia. If pain occurs upon pressure applied to these points, it suggests fibromyalgia as a diagnosis.
Although tender points were more frequently used in fibromyalgia diagnosis in the past, nowadays, different methods have been developed. Currently, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia is sufficient if it involves widespread pain lasting for more than 3 months with no underlying cause found.
How is Fibromyalgia Treated?
There is no definitive cure for fibromyalgia. The main goal of fibromyalgia treatment is to alleviate symptoms, minimize problems in daily life, and improve quality of life.
In addition to medications, various therapies can also help improve the life of fibromyalgia patients. Some of the therapies that can positively contribute to a fibromyalgia patient’s life include:
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy can be very helpful in restoring the patient’s flexibility and strength. Water-based pool therapies can also be preferred as an alternative to physical therapy.
Ergotherapy: This therapy, conducted under the supervision of a therapist, teaches the person how to perform various tasks without placing excessive stress on the body.
Psychological Counseling: Psychological counseling can help the patient cope with the challenges caused by fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia patients can improve their quality of life through some lifestyle changes in addition to medication and therapy. Healthy eating, regular exercise, using stress management mechanisms, and interventions to improve sleep quality can help patients manage fibromyalgia and lead a healthier life.
Although fibromyalgia cannot be completely eliminated, appropriate treatment interventions can result in significant improvement in the patient’s life. Therefore, it is beneficial for individuals with suspected fibromyalgia to consult a well-equipped healthcare center.