Read Dr. Alvarez advice on living with fibromyalgia to prevent triggering the symptoms.
Every long-term condition is different and each one requires specific adjustments to treat and prevent its symptoms. When it comes to living with a chronic condition, making changes in your day-to-day life, habits and routines is more than necessary if you want to avoid triggering the signs related to your health issue. For fibromyalgia, certain changes are required to prevent your symptoms from flaring up and disturb your daily life.Ā
About Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia syndrome or fibromyalgia, is a chronic condition that is estimated to affect 5-10 million adults in the U.S. According to Dr. Alvarez, this condition generally causes pain in muscles and joints, fatigue and could also be accompanied by other symptoms. These other symptoms may vary from person to person, but often include:
- Sleeping problems.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Headaches or migraines.
- Temporomandibular joint disorders.
- Memory and mood problems.
4 Tips on Living With Fibromyalgia by Dr. Alvarez
Not all treatments work the same when it comes to fibromyalgia, but there are a series of changes that you could implement in your daily life to prevent symptoms from flaring up. Dr. Alvarez, founding partner of Space City Pain Specialists, advice on living with fibromyalgia include:
1. Get Enough Sleep
Itās well known that fibromyalgia could be accompanied by insomnia or restless legs syndrome, causing problems to fall asleep or remain asleep during the night. However, sleep deprivation could also worsen your symptoms of fatigue and pain. If you have problems sleeping try to develop sleeping habits or working on your sleep hygiene through practices like:
- Keep a consistent sleep schedule and routine.
- Do relaxing activities like reading or meditating before sleeping.
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol before going to sleep.
- Arranged a quiet, dark and comfortable environment fit to sleep.
2. Learn to Manage Stress
Stress affects us in different ways, but for people with fibromyalgia syndrome, stress has the same result, it triggers or worsens the symptoms. For this reason, if you have fibromyalgia, relaxing and stress relief techniques are going to be your best allies to prevent the symptoms. Managing the emotional aspect of the condition not only helps to keep the symptoms from appearing or worsening, but also prevents other problems related to fibromyalgia like depression or anxiety.
There are several ways to manage stress, whether itās by doing something you love or by learning techniques to do so. To list some:
- Breathing exercises.
- Practicing meditation or mindfulness.
- Therapy or counselling.
- Doing exercises.
- Reading or listening to music.
Related content: Top Signs You Should Visit a Pain Management Clinic in Webster, Texas.
3. Dr. Alvarez Advice on Exercise
People with fibromyalgia also benefit from exercising. Moreover, exercise is going to help with symptoms like fatigue and sleep problems by improving your energy. Itās likely that pain discourages you from practicing exercises, but there are many exercises suitable for you that will certainly make you feel better. Start by practicing gentle exercises like swimming or stretching, and ask your healthcare provider about it to develop the right exercise plan for you.
4. Allow Yourself Time to Rest
Learning when to keep going and when to take a rest is going to be one of the most important abilities to manage your symptoms. Remember to be kind with yourself by allowing you some time to enjoy the things that you like and bring you happiness. Always make sure to listen to your body and stop when you need it, along with talking about it or even asking for help if necessary.Ā
Related content: Fibromyalgia, a Balancing Act.
Reach Out for Help Managing Your Pain
Fibromyalgia causes on-going pain and fatigue, making it difficult for people with it to navigate their lives and daily activities. The best way to improve and live your life despite your diagnosis, is by finding a healthcare provider who can help you manage your pain and symptoms. At Space City Pain we specialize in pain medicine, with innovative treatments and a bilingual team committed to your care. Contact us and schedule an appointment to start improving your quality of life.
