May 12, World Day for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fibromyalgia is a chronic pathology that affects between 2% and 8% of the population, and is more prevalent in women. It is defined by diffuse musculoskeletal pain, which is not attributed to any joint pathology. As there is no specific diagnostic test or reliable markers, it is difficult to diagnose. There is much confusion and a lot of myth surrounding fibromyalgia, even to the point of suspecting the veracity of the disease by those who do not suffer from it.
In addition to symptoms such as chronic fatigue, cognitive disturbances, sleep-related problems, or headaches, there is also the stigma of being constantly under suspicion for not having visible symptoms, and the mental health problems that can result from these situations.
Why is World Fibromyalgia Day celebrated?
Every May 12, World Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day is celebrated with the aim of giving visibility and raising awareness of these diseases. This date also coincides with the celebration of World Nursing Day, which commemorates the birth of Florence Nightingale.
Florence Nightingale founded the first modern nursing school and was a fierce advocate for the rights of disabled people. In addition, she also suffered from fibromyalgia, which is why this important date is shared by two celebrations.
The great lack of knowledge about fibromyalgia, which even leads some people to doubt the veracity of its symptoms in people who suffer from it, makes it essential to educate and improve the visibility of these pathologies, and to raise public awareness of the difficulties that sufferers may experience.
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, some data
The importance of World Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Day can be better understood by taking a look at some data concerning Spain.
- The prevalence is between 2% and 8% of the population.
- It affects mainly women(9 times more than men).
- It tends to appear more frequently in middle-aged people.
- About 120,000 cases are diagnosed each year in Spain.
- It is a common cause of absenteeism and incapacity to perform other activities.
In addition to the physical factor, fibromyalgia is associated with other pathologies such as depression or anxiety, which also affect the sufferer’s work and personal life.
The difficulty of its diagnosis, together with the other factors that we have seen above, make World Fibromyalgia Day necessary to continue to make visible a problem that many people suffer from, and that requires that more people know about it in order to avoid discriminatory situations. avoid discriminatory situations generated by ignorance and hoaxes.
At MIVI we are aware of all that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome entails for the patient who suffers from it, and that is why our treatments have a multidisciplinary approach to treat all aspects affected by this pathology.