The physiotherapist spoke about fibromyalgia and its treatment methods

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that is accompanied by widespread muscle and joint pain. Patients often complain of fatigue, morning stiffness, insomnia, headaches and memory impairments. Ilya Tsyupko, a physiotherapist and neurologist, told Izvestia on September 26 about why this disease is difficult to diagnose, how fibromyalgia is treated and whether it is possible to get rid of it completely.

"The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is a complex process, as the symptoms overlap with the manifestations of many other diseases. A particular difficulty is the lack of specific laboratory or instrumental markers confirming the diagnosis. Most often, doctors have to rule out other causes of pain: rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hypothyroidism, and depression," the specialist said.

According to the doctor, the treatment of fibromyalgia requires a comprehensive approach. It includes drug therapy using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants, muscle relaxants and drugs to improve sleep. Physical therapy is also used, which includes exercises to increase muscle endurance, massage and acupressure. An important element is to support a healthy lifestyle, including physical activity, proper nutrition and stress management.

Tsyupko drew attention to the fact that fibromyalgia affects many body systems. Patients may experience disorders of the cardiovascular system, such as high blood pressure and tachycardia, as well as weakness of the immune system and increased susceptibility to infections. Depression and anxiety disorders are also often observed, which indicates a close relationship with the nervous system.

"At the moment, fibromyalgia cannot be completely cured. However, with proper and continuous treatment, it is possible to significantly reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients. It is important to start treatment at an early stage, maintain a healthy lifestyle and follow the recommendations of doctors," concluded the physiotherapist.

On August 19, Oles Tikhonov, an orthopedic traumatologist and head of the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics at the MedSwiss network of medical centers, said that for joint health, foods such as mackerel, almonds, strawberries, olive oil and broccoli should be in the diet. According to him, salmon, sardines, and herring are among the main sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects.

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