Sunday, June 21, 2015

Improving Diet For Fibromyalgia Prevention

By Elaine Guthrie


Fibromyalgia is a difficult condition to live with for various reasons. For starters, it's almost like a ghost of an ailment. Loved ones may even question that a family member is ill because of the crazy symptoms experienced by the patient. What's more is that there is no conventional test that will prove it. On the other hand, it's not much of a ghost ailment since millions of Americans, mostly women, are affected by it. However, fibromyalgia prevention through diet and other ways of healthy living is possible.

More than anything, patients experience pain, although the aches differ from one person to the next. In general, people feel aching sensations in different areas of their body, and sometimes stiffness. They can experience intense, daily chronic pain for months at a time. Fatigue is another symptom associated with this condition. Fibromyalgia is also associated with digestive problems, pelvic pain, headaches and depression.

The diagnosis can be complicated, and doctors need to rule out other types of disorders and illnesses beforehand. These would include thyroid issues, autoimmune disorders, anemia and arthritis, among others. Moreover, an official diagnosis comes with identifying a minimum of 11 out of 18 pain areas in the body.

Generally, people are treated using acetaminophen and anti-inflammatory medications. For those who experience extreme fatigue, antidepressants are prescribed which can help to promote sleep and therefore combat fatigue. Many natural remedies are also recommended, through exercise and meditation.

With the numerous sufferers of fibromyalgia in North America, it's important to look at what could be the culprit, and in this case diet could be the main focus. For instance, many sufferers have very low levels of vitamin D, and there are links between vitamin D and the pain experienced by such patients. Vitamin D is vital for healthy muscles and bones, and low levels could easily cause pains in these areas. However, before increasing the dosage of vitamin D, please speak to a doctor.

It's true also that these patients also suffer from digestive problems, such as IBS. They have to deal with upset tummy's and diarrhea regularly. Therefore, it's vital for these patients and even healthy people to keep track of what they eat and if anything they've eaten triggers any symptoms. The biggest problems with regards to diet lie in heavy, rich meals, cruciferous vegetables, and caffeine.

It's also important to increase fiber intake, which is generally quite low in the average North American diet. For anyone suffering from tummy conditions, peppermint oil supplements can really help. That said, those who do suffer from this condition are generally at risk of poor nutrition because they don't have the strength or will to cook healthy meals when they are not feeling well. Therefore, on the good days, they should be preparing numerous meals that can be stored in the freezer and available at any time.

Fried foods and those high in sodium should also be avoided, as they can trigger problems and symptoms. Monitoring the diet, as suggested above through food logs is vital to improving health and avoiding flareups. Exercise is so important to the body, and far too many people are leading sedentary lifestyles to the point where they are putting their health at risk. Start slow and increase accordingly. This will help strengthen muscles and joints and could be as easy as simply walking a few minutes a day.




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