Fibromyalgia Symptoms
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome): Fibromyalgia Symptoms
IBS is a common condition affecting the digestive system. It is known that 6-18% of the world population are living with this condition and it triggers everyone differently. Each episode can last for days, weeks or months at a time.
Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Pain & Cramps
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Alternating diarrhea & constipation
- Changes in bowel movement
- Gas & bloating
- Fatigue and difficulty sleeping
- Anxiety and depression
Triggers
Although triggers are different for individuals, the groups of symptoms have common traits such as diet, stress, poor sleep and changes in gut bacteria.
Diet
Certain food groups can trigger symptoms including and not exhaustive to; the nightshade family, spicey food, gluten and dairy, caffeine and sweeteners, processed and fried food, chocolate and alcohol.
Stress
Overactivity in the gut can be caused by stress and anxiety due to disturbances in the brain/ gut connection.
Poor sleep
People with IBS are less likely to have quality sleep and can wake regularly throughout the night. The sleep disturbances are found to aggravate the GI system.
Gut Bacteria
It has been found that the gut bacteria changes in the gastrointestinal tracts of fibro sufferers.
Because IBS is triggered in different people, there is no definitive answer or cure. However, you can do the following things to help.
Keep track
Keep a diary to help you identify when your symptoms are triggered.Â
Change diet
Modify your diet to eliminate any foods that trigger your symptoms.
Exercise
Exercise is thought to ease IBS symptoms by minimizing stress, improving bowel function, and reducing bloating.
Take probiotics
Probiotics can help restore the natural balance of the gut flora which helps improve the IBS symptoms.
Drink more water
Water along with electrolytes will help keep you hydrated during bouts of diarrhea and water will also help soften and move stools through the intestines when constipated. Water also helps sooth the stomach.
Get help with anxiety
Seek support for anxiety. IBS can exasperate anxiety and via versa.
Relaxation
Practice relaxation daily.
Meal Advice
Being mindful of not just to what you eat but how and when you eat may help improve your symptoms. Making small changes can help you observe any changes which can help you eliminate those offending foods and habits from your diet.
Cook fresh homemade meals
Do not delay or skip meals
Do not eat too quickly
Avoid fatty, spicy or processed foods
Do not eat more than 3 portions of fresh fruit a day (80g = 1 Portion)
Limit yourself to no more than 3 cups of tea or coffee a day
Avoid lots of alcohol and fizzy drinks
Overlapping symptoms in the Fibromyalgia Syndrome
IBS is one of the 5 main conditions within the Fibromyalgia syndrome. IBS also has the following overlapping symptoms with Fibromyalgia symptoms.
Pain
Fatigue
Insomnia
Anxiety
Depression
Being more aware of the symptoms of Fibromyalgia, it is becoming clearer that we are what we eat. Working to build a healthy digestive system will lead to better sleep and reduce pain and fatigue and improve our mental wellness.
We find treating fibromyalgia holistically is more beneficial. See below our projects that help maintain your symptoms.
Fibromyalgia is a standalone syndrome of symptoms. There are over 200 hundred symptoms that are categorised with 5 main symptoms: Pain, Fatigue, Fibro Fog, Sleep Disturbances and IBS. The cycle of overlapping symptoms are exasperated by stress, trauma and further conditions.
Click on each symptom to find out more.
A predominant symptom of Fibromyalgia, long term chronic pain can cause damage to a person's health. Fibro pain can be a total onslaught of the central nervous system, this can affect everything.
Stiffness in the muscles often accompanied by cramps and discomforting pain with the muscles feeling tight, making movement feel strenuous
A tiredness that isn't relieved by quality sleep durations. Fatigue exhibits as feelings of physical, mental and emtional exhaustion for long periods.
Some of the most debilitating symptoms of Fibro are when they affect the brain, head and face. The head is a nexus point for the majority of senses, because of this symptoms can be quite diverse.
A deep sensation of cloudiness, a lack of coherrant thoughts in the mind manifesting in a variety of ways. Problems in multi-tasking, recall and confusion are commonplace.
Individuals suffering with Fibro tend to find themselves wide awake at bed times due to to disturbances within the inner body clock; the nervous and endocrine systems are often affected.
The health of the digestive system plays a highly important part in the well being of our bodies. Around 10% of the world's population live with a form of IBS, episodes can last from days to months.
Mental health is a wide spectrum that encompasses our ability to enjoy life, overcome disappointment and sadness through emotional and spiritual resilience.
Programmes and activities that Fibro Active offer to help manage your symptoms
Fibro Active have several programmes and activities that can help you with your symptoms of Fibromyalgia. We focus on a healthy lifestyle, gentle exercise and sharing information whilst supporting it's members to accept and manage their illness in a positive and friendly atmosphere.
Tai Chi & Qigong Classes
Tai Chi for Arthritis is designed to enable people to be active when they are unable to participate in other forms of exercise. For more information as well as times and dates please visit our Tai Chi page.
Fibro Podcast
Tune in to our Fibro Podcasts, where we showcase candid discussions, expert insights, and personal narratives addressing diverse facets of life with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Bulletin Board
For additional details about the group, explore our Bulletin Board. There, you'll discover current information on all the activities the group engages in, ranging from upcoming events to the group program.