What is Fibromyalgia?
A persistent musculoskeletal disorder called fibromyalgia is typified by pain at tender areas or across the body.
There are about 5 million cases of this disease in the United States.
People of all ages are affected by fibromyalgia, however middle-aged and females are disproportionately affected.
It is a highly researched and prevalent condition. However, the true cause of the illness is still a mystery.
What are the Symptoms Associated with the Disease?
The main symptoms of fibromyalgia condition include excruciating pain, tension, sadness, headaches, insomnia, and more.
Pain
One of the hallmarks of fibromyalgia is pain. The pain may be localised at certain spots known as tender points, or it may be pervasive across the body.
The muscles are too deeply hurt, and there is a painful, burning feeling.
Disturbed Sleep
People with fibromyalgia have trouble falling asleep and frequently wake up from intense discomfort and restlessness. The patients are worn out and fatigued.
Depression
The patient feels depressed since the severe physical pain saps all of their energy.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Gas, constipation, and diarrhoea are all symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, which affects 40–70% of people with fibromyalgia.
Sensitive Skin
About half of the patients have cutaneous sensitivity to changes in temperature, noise, drugs, etc.
Memory Problems
Fibro fog, another name for memory issues, affects a lot of sufferers.
Anxiety, leg stiffness, disorientation, and other symptoms are also common among fibromyalgia patients.
Other symptoms that women experience include pelvic pain and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
How to Deal with Fibromyalgia?
Medication is offered to treat the disease’s symptoms rather than the illness itself. Fibromyalgia currently has no known cure.
Doctors and physicians prescribe medications such as antidepressants and painkillers.
Why a Fibromyalgia Sufferer Experience Weight Gain?
Weight gain is one of the most intriguing issues that fibromyalgia patients face.
In the first year after being diagnosed, many people with fibromyalgia gain an additional 25 to 30 pounds.
The cause of this weight increase is yet unknown. According to some experts, the hormone leptin, which controls appetite signalling, may give the brain erroneous signals about hunger in fibromyalgia patients, causing them to overeat.
According to other experts, thyroid problems may also slow down the body’s calorie-burning capacity, which could result in weight gain.
Various reasons behind this weight gain can be:
1- Medicines
One of the negative effects of the medications used to treat fibromyalgia symptoms is weight gain. These medications change hormones, slow down metabolism, and boost hunger.
2- Decreased Metabolism
A slowed metabolism results in fewer calories being expended each day, which could lead to weight gain.
Research has indicated that a number of hormones, including serotonin, thyroid, and others, are in charge of lowering metabolism.
Researchers have discovered a connection between thyroid autoimmunity and fibromyalgia.
Weight gain is also significantly influenced by insulin. Increased insulin activity brought on by fibromyalgia may result in increased weight gain.
3- Decreased Physical Activity
The person experiences extreme body discomfort, which makes them feel overly anxious and exhausted, which reduces their level of physical activity.
The patient’s physical activity decreases because he feels as though he doesn’t have the energy to do his everyday chores.
4- Disturbed Sleep
Numerous research have indicated a connection between rising body weight and sleep disturbances.
Lack of sleep changes metabolism and increases appetite. Reduce the amount of energy you use.
5- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
IBS affects 50% of people with fibromyalgia. According to a U.K. study, weight increase may also be connected to inflammation and chronic pain.
How can Exercise Help in Weight Loss?
Everyone can benefit from exercise. Everybody should find time in their hectic schedules to engage in physical activity.
Even if a person has fibromyalgia, exercise can undoubtedly help them maintain a healthy weight. It is considered a fibromyalgia treatment.
Exercise stimulates physical activity, which burns calories and gives the body more energy.
Walking, swimming, and cycling are examples of aerobic workouts that can help people with fibromyalgia manage their condition and reduce their discomfort three days a week.
Numerous studies demonstrate the beneficial effects of exercise on people with fibromyalgia.
Some fibromyalgia sufferers find it extremely difficult to be persuaded to engage in any kind of exercise because of their excruciating pain.
Extreme discomfort makes it extremely difficult to manage daily activities, which results in little to no physical activity. Obesity results from this, and obesity is a disease in and of itself.
Frequent exercise not only helps people stay in shape but also lowers stress, weariness, and sleep disruptions.
Patients with fibromyalgia should constantly be encouraged by their doctors to engage in physical activities like yoga, aerobics, stretching, etc. Aerobic exercise is the most advised form of exercise out of all the ones that are available.
Walking or cycling for five to ten minutes is a good place to start, and you should progressively increase the intensity of your workout.
Any kind of activity should be avoided when exercising as it may exacerbate pain.
Exercises in the water can also be useful and may lessen joint tension.
A low-intensity workout at first, followed by a progressive increase in speed, aids in burning more calories.
Even with fibromyalgia, a patient can improve their quality of life if they take a positive approach to regular exercise.
Before beginning any activity, a patient with fibromyalgia should always speak with a fitness instructor and their doctor because the wrong movement can make their pain worse.
A study that was published in the Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation found a high correlation between fibromyalgia and physical fitness.
Higher levels of physical fitness were shown to be associated with less severe illness symptoms in women.
Can Diet Help Fibromyalgia Sufferer to Reduce Weight?
Everybody’s life and physical health are significantly impacted by their diet. Planning a comprehensive and healthful diet becomes crucial when dealing with fibromyalgia.
To date, a number of research have been carried out to examine the connection between food and fibromyalgia patients’ suffering.
Numerous skin allergies in fibromyalgia patients have been linked to diet, according to studies. One strategy is to stay away from foods that might contain allergies.
A nutritionist should be consulted when dealing with obesity and fibromyalgia since they can create a nutritious diet that will help the patient lose weight without developing any sensitivities.
Maintaining the right body weight can be aided by eating foods that burn calories effectively without adding too many calories. Maintaining a healthy weight requires eating three meals a day along with a nutritious snack.
It can be advantageous to consume foods high in protein, such as lean meat, skinless poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, and lentils.
Good carbs with a high fiver and relatively little sugar are found in all veggies.
Consuming fresh fruits, vegetables, and plant oils like olive oil can all help reduce obesity. Antioxidants, which are abundant in fruits and vegetables, aid in the battle against illness.
Ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties by nature. Daily consumption of these can help reduce skin problems and pain.
Reducing excess calories can be achieved by avoiding deep-fried, greasy foods, packaged and preserved foods, and sweetened beverages. Eating a light dinner early in the evening promotes sound sleep at night.
How Alternative Therapies Help in Reducing Weight?
It has been demonstrated that alternative therapies like deep breathing, meditation, acupuncture, and relaxation can help fibromyalgia patients feel less pain.
These methods also improve sleep quality and lessen stress, exhaustion, and sadness. These are non-pharmacological treatments that promote mental and physical relaxation.
Massage therapy is quite effective for certain patients. It tones the body and strengthens the muscles. It lowers anxiety, weariness, heart rate, and pain.
Additionally, meditation keeps the mind and body calm and lowers anxiety and despair. A stress-free body is more likely to be motivated and perform effectively during exercise.
In addition to burning fat, moist heat and moist heating pads are also known to reduce pain and anxiety.
What’s Stopping You?
If weight loss is not handled properly, it can be a major issue for any person.
With excruciating and incapacitating pain throughout their body, people with fibromyalgia may believe it is nearly impossible.
However, it is not that difficult to do if you try with all your might and an optimistic outlook.
Reaching the goal sooner is made possible by following a proper diet plan, eating healthily, exercising frequently, and maintaining a positive attitude at all times.
Even with fibromyalgia, adopting a healthier and cleaner lifestyle makes it easier to perform the majority of everyday tasks.
A healthy physique can be maintained by eating clean, healthful carbohydrates and staying away from gluten and sugary foods.
Even 15 to 20 minutes of regular exercise maintains the body energised and energetic. Therefore, it’s never too late to begin exercising for yourself.
By itself, burning excess fat decreases discomfort and restless nights.
