Managing fibromyalgia through lifestyle habits

Lifestyle habits can impact the severity of fibromyalgia in patients. By making changes to day-to-day living, symptoms can be minimised.
 

We spoke to leading consultant pain medicine specialist, Dr Salmin Aseri, to learn more about fibromyalgia and the ways the condition can be managed.
 

Is it ok to exercise if I have fibromyalgia?

If you're in a considerable amount of pain then it may be recommended to avoid exercise. However, keeping active is a really important part of treatment for fibromyalgia.

Not only can health be improved by a combination of aerobic exercise and movements that improve your strength and flexibility, but it can improve fatigue and the ability to control pain.

At first, you may find that your tiredness and pain may become worse. It's recommended to start the same amount of exercise each day, so you build up your stamina and muscle strength.
 

Aerobic exercises

Aerobic exercise is anything that makes you feel as though your heart is beating faster and that you're a little out of breath.

Swimming is recommended for people with fibromyalgia or taking a brisk walk and cycling.
 

Strengthening exercises

Strengthening exercises can help develop and build the muscles that move and protect your joints.

The aim is to do this at least one session a day, either at home or in a gym. Ask a physiotherapist or GP for examples of strengthening exercises you could do at home.
 

Stretching exercises

Stretching, or range of movement exercises, can help increase your flexibility and they can be done anywhere. Some people with fibromyalgia have found that yoga and tai chi help.
 

Is there a diet I can try to help improve my fibromyalgia?

There's no particular diet that has been proven to help fibromyalgia. However, it's recommended to maintain a healthy diet. One that is low in sugar, saturated fats, and salt and that incorporates fruit and vegetables. It's also good to drink plenty of water.
 

Complementary treatments

Some patients with fibromyalgia find that certain complementary treatments help their symptoms:

• Acupuncture
• Massage therapy
   

Before trying complementary treatment, you should speak to your doctor first in case it affects any other treatment you're on.
 

Sleeping

Getting enough good-quality sleep is important, and if you don't get enough, it can cause fibromyalgia. Sleep can help with fatigue and tiredness but can improve pain.
 

Sleeping tablets aren't normally recommended, as the body can become tolerant to them. This can lead to the effects wearing off and even addiction. Regular activity such as aerobic exercise and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) have proven to be effective for people with disrupted sleep patterns.
 

You might want to change your habits before bed to help you get a better night's sleep, for example, reading a book or having a warm bath might help.

What else can I do to treat my fibromyalgia?

To further manage fibromyalgia, you may like to try the following:

• Find a support group in your area or an online forum for people with the condition.
   
• Learn about fibromyalgia – understanding it can help reduce your anxiety and fears. It also means you're fully aware of self-management and treatment approaches that may help you.
   
• Encourage friends and family to learn more about your condition and to discuss it with them, so they know how the condition affects you.
   
• Ensure you talk about any mental health issues with someone you trust or with a medical professional.
• Working shorter hours and ensuring you have ergonomic equipment to work with.
   

If you would like further guidance on treating fibromyalgia and would like to treat it, we recommend contacting Dr Salmin Aseri who is a highly experienced consultant pain medicine specialist. Visit his Top Doctors profile today for information on appointment availability.