Egyptian researcher Dr Ayman Youssef issued a new research study that sheds light on the biology of spirituality and its physiological effects on patients with systemic disabilities.. Fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
The incidence of systemic diseases has increased around the world over the past three decades, as a result of environmental events such as the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, exposure to emissions, radioactive pollution, and climate change.
The puzzling symptoms have remained a mystery to scientists for more than thirty years, especially those mysterious symptoms that affected a third of American soldiers participating in the Second Gulf War- 300,000 still use wheelchairs to this day and suffer from severe symptoms.
There are no accurate statistics on those infected in the Arab region yet. Global statistics indicate that there are 20 million people suffering from Myalgic encephalomyelitis around the world, and that fibromyalgia affects about 2 to 6 per cent of the population… 80 per cent of them are women. In Saudi Arabia, the number of infected people is estimated at about 8 per cent of the population.
The study illustrates the role of caregivers in stimulating the physiological pathways of spirituality within the settings of medical services programs provided to these patients, by highlighting the professional experience of two pioneers in the Egyptian health sector, Professor Dr. Tarek Asaad and Dr. Salma Magdy.
Professor Tarek Asaad is the founder of sleep medicine in the Middle East…the closest branch of medicine to these disorders. He served as the head of the Physiological Measurements Unit and the head of the Department of Neurology at Ain Shams University. An award was established in his name after his death, granted by the Academy of Scientific Research in cooperation with the Center for Psychiatry at Ain Shams University.
Dr Salma Magdy is the Director of Medical Services at Misr El Kheir Foundation, and one of the inspiring figures in Egyptian civil society, who has made effective contributions to the health sector, as she is responsible for the files of people with disabilities, prosthetic devices, and monthly treatment for chronic diseases.
This pioneering Egyptian experience confirms the centrality of civil society in dealing with emergencies and ambiguous circumstances, and its ability to employ community resources to achieve growth and response. Civil society, in its academic aspect, as is the case with Ain Shams University, and in its relief aspect, as is the case with Misr El Kheir Foundation, whose health sector is headed by Dr Afaf el-Gohary.
Dr Afaf el-Gohary leads a special case in the Egyptian health sector, where she has developed a set of strategies that represent a guide for Arab institutions working in this field, and interested in the issues of people with disabilities, this is through her sponsorship of these initiatives directed towards systemic disabilities.. among many other health initiatives.
Their experience provided a pioneering model in designing health care systems for systemic disabilities, and provided a guide for moving towards primary care systems and public health services for these diseases, at a time when most health cadres around the world were unable to deal by the required efficiency to support patients, motivate them and manage their mysterious symptoms.
The researcher says: Spiritual studies moved from the theological perspective and spiritual belief systems (i.e. religions) to neuroscience laboratories through genetics, studies of neurotransmitter levels and functional neuroimaging. Exploring the neural circuits of spirituality has been the focus of the new researches since Dean Hamer argued for what he called the “God gene” in 2005.
Spirituality has become at the core of health research related to chronic diseases, part of comprehensive treatment plans for people with chronic pain, and a core part of palliative care guidelines and for people who have had near-death experiences, he said.
Dr. Ayman Youssef – the author of the study – is the author of the first scientific thesis on fibromyalgia and myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) in the middle east. He is one of 20 million patients worldwide. Dr. Ayman seeks through a scientific approach to discover these disorders and identify the suffering of patients, and their special abilities that many people do not know about.
Biological… Spirituality maps a common brain circuit centered around the periaqueductal gray area, which is the primary control center for descending pain regulation. This region possesses pain inhibitory cells, which stimulate the inhibition of pain pathways in painful conditions such as ME and fibromyalgia.
Spirituality means that our lives have meaning in a context that goes beyond selfish existence to get rid of selfishness, evil and hatred. It includes exploring some universal themes such as love, altruism, wisdom and noble truths. in addition that the periaqueductal gray area we mentioned above – which is responsible for raising the pain threshold – stimulates also the altruistic behavior, compassion, and love for others. Dr. Ayman said during his recent tour in the United States.
“Spirituality is a chemical capability produced by the human brain in the synapses, and it has physiological mechanisms that affect neuroimmunity and metabolism of elements within the central nervous system. If healthcare providers can stimulate these mechanisms, the mental, sensory and motor gains of patients will be multiplied under a clear physiological effect that can be measured and imaged,” he added.
“I am not speaking here as a specialist, but as a patient and recipient of healthcare services, and a witness to the experience of Dr. Afaf El-Gohary, Dr. Tarek Asaad and Dr. Salma Magdy”.
I have spent my years, like other patients, searching for noble and ethical caregivers…in addition to searching for a cure for my mysterious condition.
I was fully aware of my medical and spiritual needs, which now have biological evidence that contributes to drawing up treatment plans for these unique diseases. Those who observe the suffering of patients around the world are fully aware of the extent of suffering with caregivers, and it is time to provide scientific evidence on the difference that a caregiver can make by understanding their experience.” Dr. Ayman said
He added: “I have done my best to come up with a diagnostic model, a treatment protocol, a model of access, integration and empowerment, in a way that is consistent with the shortcomings caused by these diseases. I have worked to establish a legislative and legal model that ensures that the needs of these patients are met, and today we are presenting to the world the professional and ethical model that healthcare providers should follow for such cases.”
Dr. Tarek Asaad gave me meaning and confidence, and Dr. Salma Magdy gave me faith and steadfastness.
What if someone gave you faith, what if someone added meaning to your struggle? Dr. Ayman asks.
The millions of missing patients know the answer. “ Millions Missing” is the name of the international movement demanding the rights of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) patients around the world. Patients and their supporters participate in protests in various capitals to demand more funding for scientific research, the development of care systems, and the training of doctors and health workers. Perhaps now we have a lot of hope for them and many programs that affect their lives.