Do you have fibromyalgia and struggle with unwanted weight gain? Are you fed up with the symptoms you experience and the emotional and physical burden of your constant flare-ups? You're not alone. Many patients with fibromyalgia complain about widespread pain and sudden weight gain, but understanding the link between the two can help.
In this article, we'll explore the connection between fibromyalgia and weight gain, including how diet and lifestyle modifications can make a difference. We’ll also review the hidden culprit contributing to both conditions and the best approach to addressing it.
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes extreme fatigue, widespread pain, and other uncomfortable symptoms. For those living with fibromyalgia, weight gain can be a common issue. Many factors can contribute to this, including hormonal changes, medication side effects, and decreased physical activity due to the pain.
Let’s discuss each factor a little more:
Hormonal changes caused by fibromyalgia can affect appetite and metabolism, leading to weight gain. Additionally, many medications used to treat fibromyalgia can cause weight gain as a side effect.
Some medications for pain relief, like corticosteroids, opioids, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants, increase your chances of gaining weight. Some studies note that the sedative effects of some pain relievers can lead to inactivity. A few medications can also alter your taste perception, making you crave sugary food.
Decreased physical activity due to pain and fatigue can also cause weight gain for those with fibromyalgia. In some cases, the fear of pain can lead to avoidance of physical activity altogether, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle and weight gain.
It's important for individuals with fibromyalgia to work closely with their healthcare providers to develop a plan to manage their symptoms and prevent unnecessary weight gain.
When dealing with fibromyalgia, managing your weight can be a challenge. Fortunately, adopting healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise, can help manage your fibromyalgia symptoms while also promoting healthy weight management.
Let’s explore some practical tips and suggestions that you can try for yourself to modify your diet and lifestyle to help manage your weight and symptoms.
A balanced diet is crucial for fibromyalgia patients. Focus on consuming whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid processed foods and sugar as much as possible. In addition, practicing mindful eating is an excellent addition to your routine. Mindful eating involves paying close attention to the body's hunger and fullness cues. It can help reduce overeating and promote healthy food choices.
Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga can help manage fibromyalgia symptoms and promote weight loss without putting additional stress on the body.
Getting enough sleep is crucial to fibromyalgia patients as it helps reduce pain and fatigue. Aim for around 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night.
Stress can exacerbate fibromyalgia symptoms and lead to overeating. Incorporating stress-reducing activities such as meditation, deep breathing, and gentle stretching can be helpful.
Hopefully, our list of tips and valuable insights above can help you understand what you should do to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms and avoid or lessen the chances of gaining excess weight.
Have you ever heard of atlas subluxation? This little-known postural problem could be the hidden culprit behind your fibromyalgia symptoms and weight gain. When the atlas bone in your neck is out of alignment, it can cause a chain reaction of problems throughout your body.
It’s one of the undetected problems that result from neck and head injuries such as:
But don't worry, if you have postural misalignment like neck bone subluxation, you can turn to Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. This chiropractic technique can help correct cervical subluxation and improve your overall health.
During your session, your chiropractor will use gentle, precise adjustments to bring your atlas back into proper alignment. This can help reduce inflammation, improve nerve function, and alleviate symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue. And as a bonus, correcting atlas subluxation can help improve overall health. So if you're tired of struggling with fibromyalgia symptoms and weight gain, it's time to try Upper Cervical Care. Book an appointment with a trusted chiropractor near you and take the first step towards a healthier, happier life.
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.
