Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition involving pain in the muscles, tendons, and joints, as well as sleep disturbances and hindrance from activities otherwise normal and easy to others due to pain and stiffness (1).

The etymology of Fibromyalgia, fibr - fiber, mya - muscle, and algia - pain indicate the idea that muscle pain is the striking and defining symptom of this condition. This may be the dominant symptom but not the causative factor.

Symptoms:

1. Chronic pain
2. Muscle stiffness
3. Sensitivity
4. Sleep problems
5. Depression and anxiety
6. Cognitive weakness in memory, concentration, and focus
7. Chronic fatigue

Diet

It is shown that individuals with Fibromyalgia had significantly lower levels of inter-cellular calcium (2). They also showed significantly lower levels of other minerals, such as copper and manganese. This is evidence of malnutrition in these patients. Moreover, individuals with Fibromyalgia have a prevalence of Irritable Bowel Disease, with other studies showing biomarkers of bacterial overgrowth (3). In conclusion, digestive disturbances are a co-factor of Fibromyalgia.

Emotional

Emotional stresses are dominant factors in influencing health and disease. The inability to regulate one's emotions causes turmoil mentally and psychically. Studies found that those with Fibromyalgia have 'greater difficulties in the emotional regulation process' (4). This is when they already have Fibromyalgia. The build-up to acquiring Fibromyalgia also can be found in individuals' experience of hyper-emotional states of stress, worry & anxiety over long periods.

Unani Tibb's Understanding

‌‌The muscles are under the influence of the nerves, which, according to Unani Tibb, are fed by the brain (5). So this would mean the muscles themselves are under the control of the Psychic Faculty. For this reason, it could be concluded that Fibromyalgia stems from the brain (in the physical sense, i.e., from trauma, injury, or infection), cognitive impairments, and/or emotional instabilities, as these factors are influential on the brain's well-being. It is, thus, inherently a brain disease.

Unani Tibb's Treatment

Unani Tibb practitioners would look into how the brain becomes imbalanced. Fixing abnormalities in black bile humor is key to treating illnesses like Fibromyalgia. Hence the different formulations, such as Majun Najah, are highly effective in restoring the brain's healthy nature.

More so, regulating emotions and altering the diet to strengthen the body and mind are keys to successful treatment (and living).

Reference:

1. Goldenberg, D., et al. "Management of fibromyalgia syndrome." Jama, vol. 292, no. 19, 2004, pp. 2388-2395. JAMA Network, https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/199786.
2. Young-Sang et al., Kim. "Women with fibromyalgia have lower levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese in hair mineral analysis." Journal of Korean medical science, vol. 26, no. 10, 2011, pp. 1253-1257. KAMJE, https://synapse.koreamed.org/articles/1021466.
3. Janssens et al, Karin. "Mood and anxiety disorders in chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome: results from the LifeLines cohort study." Psychosomatic medicine, vol. 77, no. 4, 2015, pp. 449-457.
4. Trucharte, Almudena, et al. "Emotional regulation processes: influence on pain and disability in fibromyalgia patients." Clin Exp Rheumatol 38.Suppl 123 (2020): 40-6.
5. Ibn Sina, Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Abd Allah. Canon of Medicine. vol. 3 (Special Pathologies), Kazi, 1999. Five vols.

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