What Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome And What Effects Does It Have On Those Affected?

Difficulty making a public speech, but also many other problems with performing other daily activities, can be due to fibromyalgia syndrome. Andrea Levy, a woman who is in public in Spain, recently made her illness public. In today’s article you will find out what experience she had and what characteristics this disease has.

Andrea Levy, the head of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the City of Madrid and spokeswoman for the city administration, recently gave a public speech and thus aroused a lot of criticism from viewers and users of social media. Her lecture was lacking fluidity and it seemed to get stuck again and again. The reason? According to Ms. Levy herself, it is because she has fibromyalgia syndrome.

Although it is a real disease that affects many people, it wasn’t recognized as such by the World Health Organization until 1992. Today, it affects 5.4% of the general population and 92.7% of patients are women , according to the Fibromyalgia Association .

Since there have been numerous discussions in Spain about whether the reason for Andrea Levy’s criticized speech is actually her illness, we want to take this as an opportunity in today’s article to shed more light on the fibromyalgia syndrome . What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia And What Symptoms Can People With The Disease Show?

What is Fibromyalgia Syndrome?

Fibromyalgia syndrome, also known as fibromyalgia, is a chronic disease that affects middle-aged women to a greater extent. Although the cause is still unknown, observations show that this condition produces symptoms that could explain what happens to Andrea Levy in public and in many other aspects of her life.

According to some studies , this disorder could be related to a state of burnout. That is, it is acute and intense stress that makes it difficult to perform normal tasks. There are no specific signs, but rather an impairment of the general quality of life.

Several factors can make symptoms worse:

• stress
• lack of sleep
• Temperature changes

The most characteristic symptom of fibromyalgia syndrome is continuous and generalized pain throughout the body, both in muscles, joints, and in the tendons of the upper and lower body. Andrea Levy explains that this pain can be “almost paralyzing” and impairs sleep.

General malaise, lack of sleep, exhaustion, lack of energy and other complaints affect the quality of life of those affected. Even if they are taking medication to relieve this discomfort. As a result, the general and professional performance of patients is also reduced. A study published more than 10 years ago in the journal Clinical Rheumatology showed that this condition is a cause of temporary incapacity for employees.

What are the symptoms associated with fibromyalgia syndrome?

According to the scientific literature, the main symptom of fibromyalgia syndrome is pain. Although various theories have been developed to explain the origin of this condition, the causes are still not clear. Autoimmune problems, genetics, and the role of oxidative stress in metabolism were all considered in this context.

The following symptoms may occur in connection with fibromyalgia syndrome:

• Stiffness: Especially morning stiffness. People have trouble moving their fingers, straightening their legs, and bending their backs. This stiffness can be gradual and diffuse, causing new pain. For example, tension headaches and changes in peristalsis that lead to colic.

• TMJ dysfunction: Along with stiffness and muscle contractures in the face, the jaw loses functionality.
• Hypersensitivity and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: This extreme tiredness prevents people from doing their daily activities. Even when the patient is resting, he or she does not feel like they are actually recovering.
• Fiber fog: Intense mental fatigue causing chronic pain in these patients. As a result, concentration problems and short-term memory problems arise at the same time.
• Anxiety and Depression: Typical of all the stress that builds up in people with chronic pain who feel unable to carry out their daily activities. Hence, it has also been suggested that some cases of fibromyalgia are secondary symptoms of mood disorders and not the other way around. However, it is also clear that the prognosis can deteriorate in these situations.

Symptoms that affect the quality of life of those affected

Based on the above, fibromyalgia syndrome is understood as a disease that affects not only the quality of life but also the social development of a person. Therefore, it would be appropriate to consider this as the cause of various difficulties in work.

Andrea Levy, who claims she was diagnosed with this pathology last July, says managing the ailments associated with it is a struggle in itself.

Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Treatment is a battle on several fronts

Unfortunately, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. As a result, treatment can only alleviate the symptoms that the patient is suffering from. The therapeutic arsenal includes the administration of non-opioid analgesics, the application of local heat and physiotherapeutic massages and exercises.

Managing stress and, if necessary, prescribing antidepressants are keys to improving your night’s sleep. It is a battle that is waged on several fronts at once, as not only the physical ailments but also the emotional stress that fibromyalgia causes in patients must be addressed.

The Spanish Ministry of Health, Consumer Protection and Social Affairs makes the following clear:

If you or someone close to you suspects you have fibromyalgia, you should definitely see a doctor you trust.