When the symptoms are in their worst of conditions, fibromyalgia flares take a long time to recover. There is very little you can do other than waiting for the flare to pass. The only way to stop a fibromyalgia flare is to prevent it from starting. Do you know your immune system has a big role to play in recovering from fibromyalgia flares?
How does a fibromyalgia flare feel like?
In a nutshell, fibromyalgia flare occurs when you experience a sudden increase in severity of fibromyalgia symptoms and it feels almost like contracting a virus or flu. You get a feverish feeling with worsening muscle pain, muscle spasmn, headaches and fatigue.
Though the cause of fibromyalgia flare remains unclear, it could be due to an episode of a secondary symptom of fibromyalgia such as irritable bowel syndrome episode, a reaction to chemicals, a food allergy, depression and stress, yeast overgrowth etc.
Is fibromyalgia an autoimmune disease?
Majority of the symptoms related to fibromyalgia is more or less similar to immune system disorders like ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Since there is no definite cause to fibromyalgia, it is still a mystery whether the chronic pain disorder is an autoimmune disorder or not. At times, it has been found that when your immune system is going weak, chances of fibromyalgia are higher and however, there is no scientific evidence to substantiate it as yet.
Stress and anxiety increases risks of Fibro flares
There is no denying of the fact that stress and anxiety is not good for any human, needless to say a fibromyalgia patient. Stress affects physical as well as mental health of an individual. Fibro flares becomes worse when you are undergoing any stress and depression. It is more noticeable when you are going through excessive stress due to work, financial constraints, disruptive personal relationships and so on. Prolonged stress can weaken your immune system making you more susceptible to infections, toxins and allergies.
So how can you boost your immune system?
Here are some tips to help you strengthen your immune system:
- Start a work out or exercise routine every day for at least half an hour. Low and moderate level exercises which focus on strength and balance are highly recommended for fibromyalgia patients. Yoga, brisk walking, water aerobics, taichi and Zumba dance classes are considered as the best options available. Start with a slow paced beginner’s level in the exercise you choose to do to avoid over working your muscles. Make sure that you keep your body moving because it is crucial in improving fibromyalgia.
- Get adequate sleep because sleep deprivation has a negative impact on the fibromyalgia symptoms. Lack of sleep causes muscle weakness and body aches in the next morning and the effect can last through the day. Try to allocate at least 7 to 8 hours of sleeping time. If your have trouble sleeping, make sure you get to the root of your sleeping problems and improve your sleep. Try way to fix your sleep, for instance taking a warm bath before bedtime, using essential oils, do a self massage etc. Speak to a health care provider when needed.
- Eating a well balanced and nutritious diet is also important in strengthening your immune system. Make sure you include fresh vegetables and fruits along with protein and good fats. Avoid processed foods which are contain food addictives and chemicals which harm your immune system.
Source>http://healthiculture.com/fibromyalgia/newsletter/immunesystem/immune-1.php
