20 Secrets You Should Know about Fibromyalgia

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Dealing with flare ups of pain and fatigue are difficult and depressing.  Many people with fibromyalgia find that some situations cause them to have flare ups. This lists the top 10 most common causes of flare ups.

 

1. Weather Changes

Most short term flare ups are due to changes in the barometric pressure changes as a new weather front passes through. Although there is nothing you can do about the weather, at least take comfort in knowing that it should pass in a few days.

 

2. Over Exertion

When patients with fibromyalgia have a good day, it’s difficult to not want to catch up on chores, or join in a game with your kids. However, when you over do it, this will come back to bite you the next day with a major flare up. No matter how good you feel, be gentle with yourself.

 

3. Stress

Stress is the underlying cause of so many health problems, and fibromyalgia is no exception.  Stress related flare ups often seem to last the longest.

 

4. Additional Illness or Injury

Fibromyalgia often begins after an illness or injury so it’s no wonder that something as simple as even a slight cold can bring on a flare up of pain.

 

5. Hormonal Changes

Many women report that flare ups seem related to their menstrual cycles and menopause. This is something you should discuss with your doctor.

 

6. Temperature Changes

Many people with fibromyalgia state that they are extremely sensitive to cold or heat, sometimes both. Being exposed to uncomfortable temperature changes, even for a short period of time, can sometimes cause a flare up.

 

7. Changes in Your Sleep Pattern

Persons with fibromyalgia often have difficulty sleeping as it is, so when something disturbs your normal sleep pattern, many people report that they have a flare up of pain soon afterwards. Read more about dangers of sleep deprivation.

 

8. Treatment Changes

Although your health care professional may try to help you by introducing new treatment protocols, this sometimes backfires as it will bring on a flare up.

 

9. Travel

Traveling is seldom easy for someone with fibromyalgia and your dream vacation may be followed by a nightmare flare up. Try to plan a trip with as much rest time as you can manage, both before and after.

 

10. Other Sensitivities

Often persons with fibromyalgia have a number of sensitivities such as allergies or sensitivity to light or an aversion to certain smells. Keep a log of your flare ups and the things that possibly brought it on. With time, it’s possible you might be able to pinpoint your own triggers and help reduce the number and intensity of them significantly.

Sources:

Healthcentral.com

Amymyersmd.com

Healthcentral.com

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