How to Handle a Fibromyalgia Flare-Up

Chronic conditions can be difficult for anyone, especially with today's fast paced lifestyle. So, when a disease inhibits someone's daily routine, it can set them back big time. To be productive, the body needs to have the right amount of nutrients and exercise in order for it to exert a proper amount of energy. However, with diseases like fibromyalgia, which is characterized by widespread pain across a patient's body, exerting the proper amount of energy can prove to be challenging at times.

Researchers have indicated that “when you have fibromyalgia you will experience setbacks from time-to-time. Even if you have been managing your condition well for a while, a fibromyalgia flare up can still occur and knock you flat on your face.” General exercise and a standard dieting regimen is normally all a human being needs to remain healthy, and this is a well-known principle. However, fibromyalgia can be a very destructive disease mainly because of the pain it causes for reasons that are often misunderstood, outside of genetics and other feasible theories.

This pain is a reaction from the central nervous system, which is the control center for the human body. Furthermore, “a flare-up may seem unexpected but there is almost always a cause. Sometimes it will be glaringly obvious, such as eating food you know doesn’t agree with you, other times you might be left feeling clueless.” As a part of fibromyalgia, flare-ups are the strongest symptom or side effect associated with the health condition when compared to the other issues brought about by the disease.

These flare-ups are inescapable and can be vexing at times, but they are not necessarily lethal or even physically harmful. Handling flare-ups while experiencing fibromyalgia is one of the biggest concerns held by those who are affected by the disease.

Experiencing a flare-up

In terms of how chronic pain works, a flare-up is an inconvenient moment of discomfort that is generally painful and/or exhausting. The discomfort spawning from flare-ups can last anywhere from a few seconds to several days, depending on the circumstances of what triggered the flare. Pain is the body's response to the malfunctions of the body, yet fibromyalgia disrupts the natural functions of one’s pain receptors despite the absence of any physical damage or manipulation.

Over time, many patients with fibromyalgia experienced that “pain, which had been so minimal, returned. Fatigue, which had also been manageable, floored me. Night sweats, chest pain, fibro fog, pins and needles and balance issues made an appearance.” In many instances, fibromyalgia is often considered a progressive health condition, meaning that the initial symptoms of the condition will increase overtime, even after large amounts of treatments.

The ability to refrain from imploding and falling captive to the disease is slowly eaten away as fibromyalgia runs its course, if left undeterred. With most chronic diseases, an element of patience is necessary if there is any progress made in the future regarding fibromyalgia. It is widely accepted that “it is only natural to get upset about it and to feel frustrated and angry. Flare-ups can be scary and sometimes leave you wondering if you will be stuck feeling this way. It can be hard to envision your health ever improving, especially if it drags on for weeks.”