Fibromyalgia affects as many as 4 million Americans 18 and older. The age at which fibromyalgia is diagnosed is between 35 and 45 years old. Many people have had symptoms, like chronic pain, years earlier in life. Fibromyalgia is also more common in women. Fibromyalgia is usually triggered by physical or emotional stress. Some of these triggers include: a major injury, an infection, which could include, Lyme disease.
Stress can also trigger fibromyalgia symptoms. Some proven stress relievers are things like, yoga, exercise, and sleep. Deep breathing and slowly exhaling can also help. Regular, low-intensity exercise, like walking or water exercises, are some of the best treatments for fibromyalgia. It can help to decrease pain and stiffness, reducing stress. You may also sleep better.
People with fibromyalgia may have migraines, depression, and
interstitial cystitis, (an inflammatory condition of the bladder) which
is known to cause discomfort and the need for frequent urinating.
Sitting for long periods of time can cause muscle aches and joint stiffness, as well. This can cause more pain. To prevent symptoms flare-ups, do some physical activity every day and avoid sitting for long periods of time.
Foods that can help are those that are rich in nutrients, which include foods like, broccoli and berries. Whole-grain foods can also help with pain, and can include foods like, barley, oats, quinoa, brown rice, rye, and wheat. These foods provide vitamins, protein, and fiber.
You may get some relief with the following.
Your doctor may prescribe medicine to help you sleep and also to help reduce the pain you're in. . Also, there is relief with good nutrition and regular sleep. Along with exercise, which can often help as well.
A major risk of leaving fibromyalgia untreated is that symptoms such as chronic pain, fatigue, headaches, and depression can become worse over time.