Do You Have Fibromyalgia Heres The Diet That Might Help – Onlymyhealth
If you have been experiencing terrible joint and muscle pain, but your tests rule out conditions like Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, Lyme disease, and lupus, then you could be suffering from fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease that leads to widespread musculoskeletal pain and symptoms that often mimic those of arthritis. It is a condition that is more prevalent in women and can affect people of any age. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. However, a combination of exercise, medication, and a healthy diet can help manage the condition.
Role Of Diet In Manage Fibromyalgia
Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Vikas Gupta, Director of Orthopaedics and Head, Hand, and Shoulder Surgery, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket, says, “While diet alone cannot cure fibromyalgia, research suggests it plays a vital role in managing its symptoms.” Some of the ways it does that include:
- Reduced inflammation: Some foods have anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce overall pain.
- Better energy levels: A balanced diet provides essential nutrients for energy production.
- Improved gut health: There’s a potential link between gut health and fibromyalgia symptoms; a healthy diet can positively influence the gut microbiome.
- Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces stress on joints and may lessen pain.
Diet Plan For Fibromyalgia Patients
According to Dr Patil, there is a ‘best diet’ for fibromyalgia. However, there are certain foods that you can eat and avoid to manage the symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
Foods to include:
- Anti-inflammatory foods like berries, fatty fish (salmon, tuna), leafy greens, walnuts, turmeric, and ginger.
- Fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fibre.
- Whole grains that provide sustained energy.
- Lean protein sources like chicken, turkey, fish, beans, lentils, and tofu.
- Healthy fats such as avocado, olive oil, nuts, and seeds provide energy and support cell function.
Foods to avoid:
- Processed foods that are high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and additives, which can contribute to inflammation and worsen symptoms.
- Sugary drinks can lead to energy crashes and inflammation.
- Excessive caffeine and alcohol can disrupt sleep and worsen fatigue.
- Foods you’re sensitive to
Other Management Strategies For Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Along with diet, Dr Gupta shares additional strategies for managing fibromyalgia. These include:
- Regular workouts include gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga.
- Practise good sleep hygiene.
- Stress management with techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and yoga.
- Pain relievers, antidepressants, or anti-seizure medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you cope with pain and develop better coping mechanisms.
- Alternative therapies like acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic care.
Bottomline
Fibromyalgia can be difficult to diagnose as its symptoms often resemble those of other conditions. However, if you experience symptoms like constant dull ache, typically affecting both sides of your body, fatigue, problems with thinking, memory, and concentration, sleep, and mood issues, it is best to consult a doctor. Moreover, headaches and pain in specific areas of the body, like the back of the head, upper back and shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, should not be overlooked.
Note how sensitive your body is to temperature changes, loud noises, bright lights, or odours, as these too can hint at the condition.
