10 Things That Cause Fibromyalgia Flares

August 2, 2020

Things That Cause Fibromyalgia Flares

Fibromyalgia is a health disorder popular for causing chronic pain all over the body. The severity and frequency of the pain and other symptoms are dependent on each person. Here are a few of the most common fibromyalgia symptoms:

  • Excessive fatigue, even after a night of bed rest
  • Widespread pain in the joints, muscles, and other body tissues
  • Difficulty staying asleep or getting enough quality rest
  • Memory problems, trouble keeping focus and concentration
  • Gastrointestinal issues, like IBS

Fibromyalgia is a disorder, a pain-processing one. In other words, a person with fibromyalgia has a different way of processing pain. For example, a handshake, a hug, or a simple touch can cause various pain levels for someone with fibromyalgia.

What Triggers Fibromyalgia Flare-ups?

Fibromyalgia patients can sometimes go through periods where they have fewer symptoms. But, it can go the other way around in a snap. Some patients can recognize things that can make their fibromyalgia more intense. Thus, they can avoid those things whenever possible.

Here is a list of the ten common factors that can trigger your fibromyalgia flare-ups.

1. Hormonal Changes

Most fibromyalgia patients are women. Natural hormone fluctuations in menopausal or menstruating women can adversely affect their fibromyalgia symptoms. Of course, you cannot avoid these natural hormonal surges and drops. However, if you are mindful and aware of what’s happening with your body, it can help you recognize which flare-ups are due to hormone changes or other factors.

2. Stress

Stress can cause hormonal fluctuations and result in fibromyalgia flare-up .Many individuals today want to run away from pressure or worry. Most people avoid it. However, stress, whether physical or emotional, is nearly impossible to avoid most of the time. 

Fortunately, the right mindset can help you a great deal. How you react to stressful situations and stimuli can play a significant part in your body's reactions to your experiences and specific circumstances. If you always keep calm and practice positive thinking, you are less prone to stress. Thus, your body is less likely to release stress hormones. Therefore, there are fewer flare-ups of fibromyalgia symptoms.

3. Poor Nutrition

Most people struggle a lot with pain and extreme exhaustion. They don't always have enough energy to prepare food and cook. As a result, they tend to neglect their daily nutritional needs. Many restaurants and fast-food menus don't usually offer a tasty variety of vegetables and healthy foods that our bodies need to become fully nourished.

If preparing food and cooking meals are complicated for you, try to look up easy-prep meals that require little or minimal cooking skills to get done.

4. Sleep Quality

Fibromyalgia patients frequently have problems getting enough quality sleep. Thus, being sleep deprived worsens fibromyalgia symptoms.

To help yourself obtain better sleep, avoid drinking caffeinated or sugary beverages at night. Do your best to sleep and wake up on a regular schedule.  Do this consistently, even if you are on your day off. Also, keep your bedroom free from overly bright lights. Then, try to avoid loud noises that may disturb your sleep. You may use earplugs to prevent interruptions while sleeping. 

5. Irregular Work Schedule

If you are scheduled to work the night shift a few nights a week and then work a day shift too, your body will have a hard time adjusting. Your regular sleep schedule would be compromised. Try to request for a consistent work schedule from your company or employer.

6. Weather Changes

Sudden extreme temperature changes can make it difficult for people with fibromyalgia to find relief. Sudden weather changes can cause intense bursts and levels of pain.

7. Medication Changes

Doctors frequently prescribe drugs to help with the various fibromyalgia symptoms. Sometimes these medications produce severe and unwanted side effects. Changing medications can give relief. However, as a consequence, it can also result in flare-ups.

8. Excessive Exercise

Mild to moderate exercise is beneficial for fibromyalgia patients, but when you suffer from a chronic health disorder, it’s bad to over-do it. Therefore, be vigilant. Always listen to your body and adjust your exercise schedule according to your needs. Moderation and balance are best for fibromyalgia patients.

9. Having Illness

Some fibromyalgia patients recalled that their current condition developed after fighting an infection such as Lyme disease or a severe viral infection. Unfortunately, if you already have fibromyalgia and catch the flu or even the common cold, it can amplify your fibromyalgia symptoms. Therefore, having a healthy and nutritious diet helps improve your immune system. Also, it can help prevent you from getting sick more often.

10. Injury Or Trauma

For fibromyalgia patients who regularly experience widespread pain, it appears that a new trauma can increase that pain. Many fibromyalgia patients recall and report that before the onset of their fibromyalgia, they suffered either a head or neck injury or trauma. It includes the following:

  • Whiplash
  • Car accidents
  • Sporting injuries
  • Slipping, tripping, and falling incidents

Relieving and Avoiding Fibromyalgia Flare-ups For Long Term

We know now that fibromyalgia is a pain-processing disorder. Therefore, it would make sense to inspect or at least take an in-depth look at the central nervous system (CNS). Doing so will help us identify where the root cause of the problems might lie. 

It may sound strange for some people to hear that if you have fibromyalgia, you can visit an upper cervical chiropractor for a check-up. Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on ensuring a patient has a healthy nervous system through proper alignment of the upper cervical spine, particularly the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae. 

Misalignment can put pressure on the brainstem. The brainstem is a critical superhighway of the CNS connecting the brain to the spinal cord. Thus, if it malfunctions, it causes improper signals coming and going to the brain. Finally, fibromyalgia becomes the result and other health issues. This particular method specializes in making sure the bones of the upper cervical spine are correctly aligned.

Upper cervical chiropractors are successful in giving patients relief from their fibromyalgia symptoms. They take careful and precise measurements of the upper cervical spine. If a misalignment is present, they will create an individualized chiropractic care plan. They use an exact and gentle method that will restore the proper alignment of the bones. 

Consult with an upper cervical doctor nearby your area so you can experience first-hand what upper cervical care can do for you.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor in Your Areato schedule a consultation today.

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