How to to Get Relief From Fibromyalgia

folke (64)in #blog • 6 years ago

Fibromyalgia, which the Mayo Clinic says affects 2 percent of the U.S. population and occurs mostly in women, has a variety of symptoms. The most prevalent are chronic fatigue, pain and "tender points," or places on the body that become sore to the touch. In addition, sleep disturbances, headaches, stiffness, numbness in the extremities, anxiety and depression are common. The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, and there's no definitive test for diagnosing the condition. While there is no cure, there are many ways to get relief from fibromyalgia symptoms.

_{image credit}

Stretching and Exercise

Often, due to fatigue and pain, fibromyalgia sufferers are unfit. Stretching and light aerobic exercise can lessen many of the condition's symptoms, and the Arthritis Foundation cites them as essential to the treatment process. It may be difficult and painful at first, but with perseverance it gets easier. It's important to begin an exercise regimen gradually, as many people start out over-exerting themselves and are quickly discouraged by the pain and difficulty. Try starting with a slow 10-minute walk and building up to longer routines. Yoga is a convenient way to incorporate stretching activity, as it can also help in other ways, like with stress management.

Healthy Diet

Eating well-balanced meals and avoiding caffeinated products can ease the symptoms of fibromyalgia. This also promotes sleep regularity and quality. The National Fibromyalgia Association recommends eating plenty of raw fruits and vegetables for rich sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals, as well as lean proteins like seafood and poultry. They also suggest eliminating coffee, carbonated beverages, chocolate and alcohol from the diet. Fibromyalgia patients should limit white sugar and flour, high-fat dairy products, acidic and fried foods, artificial sweeteners, preservatives and red meat.

Manage Stress

Stress triggers and aggravates fibromyalgia symptoms. Along with exercising, make time for enjoyable and relaxing activities and practice deep breathing or meditation routines, which will also help manage pain and sleep patterns and reduce fatigue. If you need help, talk to a mental health professional about coping methods for stress and anxiety.

Analgesics

Acetaminophen, available over-the-counter, can provide relief from much of the pain, soreness and stiffness associated with fibromyalgia. The Arthritis Foundation points out that this can be a safer option than narcotic analgesics, which carry greater risk of dependency.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are other options for relieving various pains. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, evidence suggests these drugs aren't as effective when taken alone as when taken in conjunction with other medicines.

Antidepressants

Low-dose antidepressants are frequently prescribed to fibromyalgia patients for their ability to reduce pain, fatigue and other symptoms of the disorder. Prescriptions may be from one of several categories of antidepressants, and the most common specified by the Arthritis Foundation include tricyclic antidepressants (like amitriptyline, nortriptyline and duloxetine), SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine and sertraline) or mixed reuptake inhibitors (like venlafaxine and nefazadone).

Anti-Seizure Medication

The epilepsy medications gabapentin and pregabalin may be used off-label to treat some types of pain, including some of those associated with fibromyalgia, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Muscle Relaxants

Muscle relaxants can be used by fibromylagia sufferers to relieve aches and stiffness. The Arthritis Foundation says cyclobenzaprine is the most common muscle relaxer prescribed to treat fibromyalgia.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be used to strengthen muscles and provide general pain relief. Massage therapy has also demonstrated the ability to help with pain, aches and stiffness. The National Institutes of Health credit acupressure and acupuncture as other therapies that can provide relief for fibromyalgia sufferers.