Fibromyalgia is a very painful condition that affects about 6% of the population in the United States. Both men and women can be affected, although almost 90% of those suffering are women between the ages of 20 and 50. Fibromyalgia causes chronic pain to develop across the body, but doctors are still unsure why. There is no cure for the condition, and it is considered to be a long-term, chronic pain condition that will require lifetime treatment for the individual affected. For this reason, Fibromyalgia is categorized as an idiopathic condition. There is also a high comorbidity of fibromyalgia and migraines.
A Look at Fibromyalgia and Migraines
Individuals who are suffering with Fibromyalgia suffer through a number of different symptoms, oftentimes those that can turn their life upside down and make even the simple things in life seem impossible. For a fibromyalgia patient, there are some days that are harder than others, as the severity levels of the condition also vary.
Some days the sufferer may be able to enjoy a totally normal life while other days it seems impossible to even do something as simple as get out of the bed. In addition to the physical pain that Fibromyalgia causes, there are also a number of other consequences of the condition, including an increased risk of mental conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Another common complaint that the association of fibromyalgia and migraines. It is estimated that almost all people with Fibromyalgia will also suffer with migraines, as about 75% of all patients reported this symptom. If you have ever before experienced a migraine, you know just how painful these headaches can truly be, and when coupled with the other symptoms of the condition, it can cause disturbances of massive amount. This is just another one of the many symptoms that can cause disturbances in your everyday life.
What causes Migraines with Fibromyalgia?
Why do headaches and migraines accompany fibromyalgia? It is all about the brain and the pan stimuli found there. Cortical spreading depression is the name of the process that the brain goes through when inflammation results due to pain. It is noted with signs of ionic activity in the brain. This is something that anyone has happen, but when an individual is also affected with fibromyalgia, the pain is far worse. Migraines that accompany fibromyalgia are often far more intense than otherwise. Some people report that the original fibromyalgia symptoms are intensified due to migraines, including nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, sensitivity to light, etc. So fibromyalgia and migraines is a big deal.
Treating Migraines
Even without fibromyalgia, migraines can be very difficult to treat, and when the condition is present it seems as if things take on a whole near level of treatment. If you are bothered by migraines, the best thing that you can do is talk to your doctor. He is able to write a prescription for a medication that can help ease the pain that you feel. There are also a number of over the counter medications that can be used, but for some people these are not strong enough to eliminate the pain.
Along with the use of medications, the doctor might recommend that lifestyle changes be made. There is a number of lifestyle changes that you can make that will certainly help you overall well-being and satisfaction from the migraine pain that you are experiencing. This includes:
Exercise
Although you might not feel like exercising, keeping the body lose and active will certainly help greatly. There are many different kinds of exercises that you can do each day. Talk to your doctor for advice about exercise and what you can do to eliminate the pain and the occurrences of migraines.
Reduce Stress
Stress is known as the silent killer, and it is certainly something that impacts many individuals. If you have fibromyalgia, there is a good chance that you also are stressed and this only makes things worse. By looking for ways to reduce and eliminate stress, you can get a better handle of migraines.
Eat Right
Have you taken a look at the foods that you are eating? We all like fast food and those not so good for us goods, but when your body is already in a battle, these are the last foods that it needs. If you change the diet to include fresh fruits and vegetables, migraines can become less intense or depleted all together.
Drink Water
Leave the soda and coffee alone if you have migraines associated with fibromyalgia. Water hydrates and replenishes the body, which in turn also helps alleviate those pain receptors in the brain.
Acupressure
An alternative therapy that is very helpful for many people is acupressure. This is a form of ancient Chinese medicine that has been used for thousands of years, and it is one that really works. Many people prefer using this versus pain medications but it can certainly enhance even pain medications.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is yet another way that you can eliminate migraines that are associated with fibromyalgia. Acupuncture is very similar to acupressure, although with this form of treatment, tiny needles are inserted into the pressure points through the body. This is something that scares many people, but it is actually pain-free and very beneficial. Some people also swear by daith piercing, which is an ear piercing that goes through an acupuncture point in your ear to provide migraine relief.
The Bottom Line
Migraines are likely something that you will experience if you have fibromyalgia, but that doesn’t mean that you have to take things sitting down. As you can see, there are a number of things that you can do to help ease the condition, so put as many of these tips to use as possible. Also, make sure that you talk to your doctor about the condition. He is the best person to give you advice and the help that you truly desire.
Fibromyalgia comes with a number of signs and symptoms that affect your everyday life, but that doesn’t mean that you have to take thins sitting down. Do not let fibromyalgia win the battle when you can take a stand and win the battle.
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