Fibromyalgia And Heart Disease: What Connection Binds Them?

April 26, 2020

fibromyalgia-and-heart-disease-what-connection-binds-them

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic health disorder that causes intense fatigue and extensive muscle pain. It can be life-changing for people who suffer from it. It often interferes with their everyday lives. 

Individuals with fibromyalgia experience tenderness and intense pain throughout their bodies. Some would say that it is an arthritis-related condition, but it is not. FM does not trigger damage or inflammation to the joints, other tissues, or muscles. Fibromyalgia is a condition often related to chronic pain conditions, including:

  • Vulvodynia
  • Endometriosis
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Internal cystitis
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ OR TMD)

Who Are The People Most Prone To Have Fibromyalgia?

Anyone can be a candidate to develop fibromyalgia anytime in their lifetime. However, women are at higher risk to have it than men. It is also more prevalent among middle-aged people. Finally, fibromyalgia is more likely to happen to somebody who suffers from another disease, like: 

  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine)
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus)

You might think it is gene-related, but it is not necessarily the case. It may also be due to shared environmental factors present. Various studies are trying to prove if variations in people’s genes can cause some to be more predisposed to pain overall compared to those without some particular genes.

Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Aside from the two most common symptoms, which are intense pain and extreme fatigue, there are other symptoms of fibromyalgia.

  • Numbness and tingling in the extremities
  • IBS -- irritable bowel syndrome
  • Morning stiffness
  • Abnormal headaches
  • Painful menstrual periods
  • Sleeping problems
  • Sensitivity to temperature changes
  • Restless leg syndrome
  • Sensitivity to bright lights and loud noises
  • Memory issues and cognitive issues, often referred to as “brain fog”

What Makes People Develop Fibromyalgia?

There are many theories regarding what makes a person more susceptible to this condition. The following may have a connection:

  • Illnesses or infections
  • Repetitive injuries
  • Emotional or physical stress or trauma
  • A malfunction of the central nervous system

Some theories suggest that some genes may control how the body can process painful stimuli. In other words, for people with FM, their bodies overreact to stimuli that other people may consider not as painful. As previously mentioned, those with fibromyalgia also have other chronic illnesses.

The Fibromyalgia and Heart Diseases Connection Is Strong

Fibromyalgia and heart disease are linked. The list of the types of pain experienced by fibromyalgia patients is very long. Here are some of those pains:

  • Chest pain
  • Palpitations
  • Heartburn
  • Other heart-related problems

These specific types of pain cannot be ignored as they have something to do with the heart. In addition, there is another point of fact that needs mentioning. Chronic pain in fibromyalgia makes it difficult to begin any exercise programs. How does this affect fibromyalgia patients? The lack of exercise contributes to heart issues. 

People suffering from FM are hesitant to do exercise, fearing that doing so will give them more pain. However, research has proven that being active helps FM patients. Doing regular light aerobic exercise decreases pain while improving function and overall quality of daily life. 

Exercises are essential to your heart, and this statement is especially true when you have fibromyalgia. Here are some of those light exercises you should practice:

  • Walking
  • Stretching
  • Swimming
  • Bike riding
  • Yoga

More Fibromyalgia Management Tips

Here are a few more crucial things to keep in mind. These tips will help keep the risks of cardiovascular disease lower:

  • Keep Your Stress Levels Low

Avoiding stress may seem impossible. What is the solution? Limiting your stress helps a lot. Also, try limiting your exposure to situations that give you anxiety. Moreover, de-stress by practicing breathing techniques. Try yoga for a while and see how that works for you. Start new hobbies that bring you joy. Spend more time with positive-minded people. Most importantly, avoid negative and toxic ones.

  • Get Regular Good Night’s Rest

It can be difficult to get long and restful sleep when you have fibromyalgia, but it is not impossible. Bear in mind that a good night’s sleep is vital for you, specifically for the heart’s health. Studies have shown that a heart problem is one of the causes of sleep apnea. Thus, it reinforces how important the heart and FM connection is.

  • Get A Massage

Getting a massage lowers the heart rate and helps you deal with pain better. It relaxes your muscles and nerves. It also enables you to calm your mind.

  • Maintain An Ideal And Healthy Weight

When people are not getting enough exercise, obesity is the effect. Obesity puts more stress on the heart. For FM patients, this means more pain because of extra weight on the joints, and a weaker heart that works overtime to support more substantial bodyweight.

Fibromyalgia and Upper Cervical Care

Several research and studies have already proven the value and effectiveness of upper cervical chiropractic care. Upper cervical doctors give fibromyalgia relief to countless patients. 

Upper cervical chiropractors help reduce pain caused by fibromyalgia by dealing with the root cause, not just the symptoms. How?

The C1 vertebra (atlas) protects the brainstem. It can have a huge impact on the function of the brainstem if it moves out of alignment. When misaligned, more pressure is placed on the brainstem, causing it to malfunction. Moreover, this causes the transmission of wrong signals to the brain. These improper signals are numerous and include telling the brain that there is a pain when in truth, there is none. Thus, it can lead to symptoms of fibromyalgia and other health problems. 

By realigning the upper cervical spine, it restores proper communication and helping the brainstem perform at its optimum levels. The body heals appropriately, leading to lesser fibromyalgia symptoms. As a result, many patients experience complete recovery from their FM symptoms. 

Contact the nearest upper cervical chiropractor in your area to get fibromyalgia relief. Use our website’s search function.

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