Fibromyalgia is a neurological disorder which is characterized by the pain all over the body. Although, the tentative causative factors of fibromyalgia flare-ups are known, yet the exact cause is not understood for a wide range of symptoms which this syndrome exhibits. In addition, some of these fibromyalgia patients also face the problem of flare-up of symptoms where the pain and fatigue are greatly increased for a time duration causing a lot of discomfort to the patient.
What are the Causative Factors for Fibromyalgia Flare-up?
The factors which are responsible for a fibromyalgia flare-up includes:
- Fibromyalgia Flare-up Caused Due to Overexertion: When a person suffering from fibromyalgia overexerts in one activity, it leads to a flare-up.
- Stress: It has been mentioned to be the most common cause of fibromyalgia flare-ups.
- Fibromyalgia Flare-ups Caused Due to Changes in the Environmental Temperature or Conditions: As the weather/temperature changes to cold or hot or humid, it affects the intensity of fibromyalgia symptoms mostly leading to a flare-up.
- Sudden Injury/Illness: Frequent accidental injuries or illness causes fibromyalgia flare-ups.
- Hormonal Changes: Most women experience fibro flare-ups during their periods and menopause where there are a number of hormonal changes occurring within the body.
- Travel: Patients with fibromyalgia suffer from flare-up on travelling. It may be due to the stress caused due to travel.
- Changes in Treatment Can Cause Fibromyalgia Flare-ups: One can experience fibromyalgia flare-up even when there is change in treatment. The exact reason as to why this happens is difficult to understand as there is no clear-cut cause found yet.
- Individual Sensitivity Leading to Fibromyalgia Flare-up: Individuals with fibromyalgia are sensitive (allergic) to noise, smell or light. If exposed to such things for a prolonged time then flare up can occur. Similarly, changes in diet can also cause flare up.
How is Fibromyalgia Flare-up Managed?
Currently there is no treatment for fibromyalgia. The symptoms have to be managed by multi-disciplinary approaches. Some fibromyalgia flare-ups are unavoidable and the triggers also cannot be controlled many a times.
- The most important thing in managing fibromyalgia is identifying the factors which contribute to flare-ups.
- Patients suffering from fibromyalgia flare-ups should not overexert themselves in any physical activity and they should not take unnecessary stress in their lives. They should be also careful of the changes if they have made to their diet or their daily activities. These patients actually need to maintain a diary of the things done or eaten or how they slept for that particular day. Any change which triggers flare up can then be attributed to that activity and it can be controlled.
- Further due to pain, the mood of such patients is always disturbed. Thus, changes in behaviour with mind-body practices can help to be great mood modifiers and pain relievers. One should practice meditation, deep breathing and forms of exercise such as yoga which involve stretching and relaxation in order to manage fibromyalgia flare-ups.
- Under the guidance of a doctor, one should practice self-management strategies to reduce the chronic symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Conclusion
There is no treatment available for fibromyalgia hence its causative factors need to be identified and be controlled. The current best strategy is to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia by practising yoga and other exercises, taking care not to overdo them.
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