Have you ever dealt with unexplainable pain all over your body that makes it difficult to function? Are you tired of waking up every morning feeling like you've been hit by a truck? Do you feel like you're life is wasting away due to fibromyalgia? Are you sick of explaining why you're always in pain and exhausted? Do you think the pain and suffering are controlling your life? Do you know your fibromyalgia triggers? Do you ever wonder if anyone truly understands what you're going through?
People living with fibromyalgia can relate to these questions all too well. After all, this condition affects every aspect of your life, from your physical health to your mental well-being. Sometimes it can be isolating, and you can miss many important events in your life unwittingly because of your symptoms. There may be days when you might want to give up or doubt if you'll ever be able to live a normal life again. But through it all, keep in mind that there is hope.
The main cause of your fibromyalgia may be difficult to pinpoint. That’s why most people rely on tracking their possible fibromyalgia triggers. Doing so can help prevent or lessen flare-ups and improve one’s overall condition. One of these triggers is caffeine intake. Are you aware of this fibromyalgia trigger? Find out how exactly it can influence your symptoms as you read on.
If you're the type who cannot function without getting a dose of your cup of joe, you may need to watch your intake, especially if you struggle with fibromyalgia flare-ups. While it's generally considered safe to take three to five cups of coffee daily, data presented at the American Pain Society meeting shows that drinking four or more cups of coffee daily can significantly increase the pain of fibromyalgia patients.
Moreover, caffeine is a diuretic, increasing urine production and heightening dehydration risks. Dehydration can also lead to fatigue and headaches, exacerbating fibromyalgia symptoms. So, while caffeine can temporarily boost energy, it can worsen symptoms and get you stuck in a vicious cycle of pain, fatigue, and poor sleep. Too much caffeine can also trigger anxiety, depression, insomnia, and muscle tremors.
Fibromyalgia patients should try to avoid or limit their caffeine intake. Remember that apart from coffee, caffeine also exists in teas, sodas, chocolate, energy drinks, supplements, over-the-counter diet pills, and other medications.
If you take caffeine, only take it earlier in the day and in small doses. And if you're used to taking high levels of caffeine, gradually cutting down your intake is recommended to avoid intense withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, drowsiness, irritability, nausea, and vomiting.
Apart from watching your caffeine intake, you must also take note of other fibromyalgia triggers. These include the following:
Coping with fibromyalgia is no easy feat, and there are times when it can feel like no matter what you do, you're not feeling any better despite the lifestyle changes you make. This may happen if you're not properly addressing your fibromyalgia symptoms' primary cause or trigger. But with proper care, you can work around your symptoms to establish a sense of normalcy.
Unknown to many, Upper Cervical misalignment may worsen your fibromyalgia symptoms. Hence, if you've ever been in an accident or have endured a physical trauma affecting your head or neck, you may want to look into Upper Cervical Care to help your body cope. A misalignment in the topmost section of your neck can further cause problems to your nervous system function, making you more and more susceptible to recurring problems like fibromyalgia, chronic migraines, and vertigo attacks.
Correcting any degree of misalignment between the atlas, axis, and head can restore your body’s homeostasis, allowing you to reduce the severity and frequency of your flare-ups.
If your fibromyalgia symptoms are not getting any better, it may be worth having your Upper Cervical alignment checked. If you don't know anyone, you may use our directory of Upper Cervical Chiropractors to book your appointment. You’re one step closer to finding a natural method that might be the key to improving your overall quality of life despite having fibromyalgia.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
