- Brain fog, memory loss and mental confusion
- Chronic pain
- Loss of energy and fatigue
- Sleep disorders
- Fear or anxiety mood changes
- Nervousness, depression and psychological distress
- Weight gain because of lack of activity and
- Various "women's complaints" such as painful menstrual periods and painful sexual intercourse
After all, each person is different, as are his or her reactions to these symptoms of fibromyalgia.
But, luckily, even though it is not known why someone would contract Fibro, there is a general agreement regarding the actions necessary for helping to remedy the condition.
These are:-
- Better Nutrition
- Movement and Exercise, and
- Dealing with Stress
We need to eat natural healthy foods low in saturated fats such as chicken and lean meats together with a good portion of fruit and green fresh vegetables.
We also need to drink lots of water (up to 2 litres a day) Many sufferers of fibromyalgia have been found to have some type of nutritional deficiency.
The water helps nutrients to be absorbed more easily from the food, the cells of the body are kept hydrated and the mechanisms of the body are able to communicate more effectively one with the other.
A good quality multi-vitamin supplement will help make up any shortfall from your diet and an Omega 3 supplement will help to repress joint inflammation Declining "harmful" Foods Caffeine, alcohol and partially hydrogenated fats which are also known as transfats, all affect the equilibrium of the body and should be avoided if at all possible.
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a food additive that is used to add flavour to most Asian and many frozen and processed foods.
For Fibro sufferers this chemical can actually cause pain sensation to be felt more intensely.
Aspartame, sold under the name of Nutrasweet, can also stimulate the pain receptors.
Anyone who is concerned with pain sensations in their body should seriously cut out these chemicals from their diet.
Yeast, gluten, and many nightshade plants (potatoes, sweet peppers and tomatoes etc) are thought to assist the flare-ups of brain fog and pain and are best avoided or tested to see what effects they cause for the individual.
Movement and Exercise When anyone experiences more pain each time they move it is normal for them to want to stay still and to move less.
However it has been found that movement and exercise does help minimise pain and improve the general health of fibro sufferers.
The message is simple:- stay still and suffer pain.
Bring movement into your daily life and slowly but surely get to feel better.
This is the answer, to stat with small movements and build up the intensity and movement gradually, It is important to move your muscles.
It may not be easy at first, but it is an important aspect of improving health.
Dealing with Stress Stress has been found to be the underlying constant in the lives of many Fibro sufferers.
Suffering stress will prevent your body from healing and renewing itself.
It causes tension within the body.
Muscles retain a residual tension which in turn increases blood pressure.
But perhaps the worst of all it keeps your mind on the go and prevents your body/mind from moving into its healing mode sought by many so people who practice deep relaxation and meditation.
These stepping stones to better health could play a large part in helping anyone deal with their symptoms of fibromyalgia.