Experts told Al-Youm: Fibromyalgia affects women more than men, and behavioral therapy and exercise are the most important solutions
Medical studies indicate that women are more susceptible to this pain than men, and many patients suffer from overlapping symptoms including tension headaches, temporomandibular joint disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, as well as anxiety and depression.
Despite the lack of a definitive cure that eliminates fibromyalgiaHowever, there is a variety of medications that help control the symptoms, with emphasis on the effectiveness of exercise, relaxation techniques, and stress reduction measures in improving the overall condition of patients.
Diagnosis and clinical differences
Dr. Manal Ahmed Hassan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in Dammam, Head of the Rheumatology Unit and Rheumatology Consultant at King Fahd University Hospital in Al-Khobar, explained to Al-Youm that fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain and fatigue without any actual inflammation or damage to the joints or muscles.
Dr. Manal explained how to distinguish it from Rheumatic diseasesWhere the pain is diffuse and not accompanied by swelling or heat, unlike inflammatory diseases which are localized with morning stiffness and elevated inflammation markers.
As for distinguishing it from neurological diseases, she emphasized that nerve pain is localized to a specific area and is accompanied by numbness or weakness, while in fibromyalgia the pain is generalized without a real loss of sensation or strength, with the appearance of accompanying symptoms such as difficulty concentrating and irritable bowel syndrome, which are essential elements in the clinical diagnosis process.
Integrated treatment methodology
Dr. Manal Hassan stressed that the treatment is mainly based on non-drug therapy, and one of the most important steps is to reassure the patient that the disease is not serious and does not cause organic damage, while emphasizing the role of sports such as walking, swimming, stretching exercises and yoga, and taking care to gradually increase activity according to tolerance.
She added that improving sleep and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are cornerstones of treatment. In severe cases, medication may be used, while avoiding anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids, as the disease is not inflammatory in nature. The treatment team often consists of a multidisciplinary team including a rheumatologist, a physical therapist, a psychiatrist, and a sleep specialist, with the goal of reducing pain and improving quality of life. It is important to investigate other underlying conditions if weight loss, fever, joint swelling, or abnormal test results occur.
Health awareness recommendations
For her part, a consultant in pain management and palliative care for children at King Abdulaziz University Hospital confirmed,
Dr. Roaa Shaaban
Dr. Roaa Shaaban stated that differentiating between fibromyalgia and rheumatic or neuropathic pain presents a clinical challenge. However, the absence of obvious joint signs and normal laboratory tests are crucial indicators for diagnosing fibromyalgia.
Dr. Shaaban explained that neuropathic pain is characterized by a burning or electric sensation along nerve pathways, while fibromyalgia treatment relies on a multidisciplinary approach that includes health education, low-intensity exercise, and medications that target pain management at the nervous system level.
This approach has proven effective in improving patients' quality of life and daily functioning. She emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and community awareness to reduce the suffering of those with this serious condition, which requires patience and adherence to behavioral therapy.
Dr.
Mutaibah Al-Issa, a consultant in pediatric rheumatology at King Fahd University Hospital in Al-Khobar, confirmed that fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that remains incompletely understood.
Dr. Mut'aba Al-Issa
Scientifically, studies and research indicate that those affected suffer from a marked increase in the nervous system's sensitivity to pain, resulting in a body response to painful stimuli far exceeding the normal rate.
Dr. Al-Issa stated that this disorder can affect any age group, but it is more common among middle-aged women and is sometimes associated with rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, in addition to genetic factors and mood disorders.
She pointed out that patients suffer from muscle and joint stiffness and memory problems known as "brain fog," emphasizing that early diagnosis and community awareness are the cornerstones of understanding the suffering of those affected and providing them with psychological and social support to enable them to cope with the disease and reduce the impact of burning or throbbing symptoms on their daily activities.
