An overview of fibromyalgia pain
Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain, stiffness, and tenderness in muscles, tendons, and joints throughout the body. People experience fibromyalgia pain differently, and its triggers vary from one person to another. The condition can affect anyone, but it is seen more often in women. Continue reading to find out more about fibromyalgia, its symptoms, types, and causes.

What is a fibromyalgia flare-up?

• Some people experience symptoms such as fibromyalgia burning pain on a regular basis, while others experience them every now and then.

What are the common fibromyalgia flare-up triggers?

• Heat : It is a common complaint that heat triggers fibromyalgia flare-ups and a cool environment helps.
• Specific colors : Looking or staring at specific colors causes headaches and other forms of fibromyalgia pain.
• Emotional stress : People seeing or hearing something bad or having a bad day often end up having a fibromyalgia flare-up.
• Weather changes : Drastic changes in weather is also one of the leading fibromyalgia triggers.
• Overexertion : Some people experience fibromyalgia symptoms after they overexert themselves both physically and psychologically.
• Hormonal changes : This goes especially for women who experience fibromyalgia pain during certain days of the month.
• Certain food : Unhealthy processed food, sugary and fatty food, gluten, alcohol, and Chinese food trigger fibromyalgia.
• Little or too much sleep : Not getting enough sleep or sleeping too much can worsen the symptoms and fibromyalgia pain.

What are the different types of fibromyalgia pain?

• Burning skin pain : Some people feel as if their skin is on fire; it feels like a sunburn without being exposed to the sun at all.
• Chest/rib pain : A smothering intense pain in the rib cage, which no kind of stretching or breathing seems to help.
• A pain like an electric shock : This type of fibromyalgia pain comes as a tingling and prickly sensation just like you have placed your finger in an open electrical socket.
• Muscle tightness : The neck feels very tight, as if something is constantly holding it or twisting and crushing it.
• Deep throbbing pain : A discomforting pain is felt in every joint, muscle, and bone.
• Bruise-like pain : Pain with the slightest of touch as if the entire body is badly bruised.
• Stiffness : The entire body feels stiff, especially after sitting for a while or immediately after waking up.
• Needle-like pain : It comes all of a sudden and anywhere in the body. Feels like many needles are being painfully pierced into the skin.
• Cramping : Painful cramps while sitting, making it impossible to get up or move.
• Bone cracking or grinding : The weird and painful sensation of bones in the foot or knee cracking or grinding.
• Allodynia : It is extreme sensitivity to touch or otherwise painless sensations. Even water from the shower dropping on the shoulders feel like nails being pounded into the skin.
• Itchy tingling sensation : It is felt in the hands and feet, as they become numb.
• Widespread muscle pain : Feeling stiffness and a throbbing pain all over the body.
• Neuropathic pain : A crawling and itching sensation in every nerve.
• Headaches : They come anytime and mainly when you are under stress.

How can you cope with fibromyalgia?

• Destress
• Exercise regularly
• Know your triggers
• Make your work life better
• Spare time for your hobbies
• Sleep well
• Have a balanced diet

What are some nutrition and supplement tips for fibromyalgia that you can follow?

• Consume a diet rich in fruits, whole grains, and vegetables that enhance the body’s healing system and natural defenses.
• Avoid all food that contains trans-fatty acids, polyunsaturated vegetable oils, and all partially hydrogenated oils.
• Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Increase your intake of ginger and turmeric, as they boast of great anti-inflammatory properties.
• Follow an everyday antioxidant regimen.
• Maintain a normal magnesium and calcium intake, which relaxes and maintains the nerves and muscles.