Connection Between Stomach Issues and Fibromyalgia: Ways to Treat It

Abdominal pain due to fibromyalgia can feel like a constant, uncomfortable sensation that varies from mild to severe. Fibromyalgia stomach issues might be a dull ache, bloating, tightness, or sharp cramps, sometimes coming and going. Certain foods, stress, or flare-ups of other fibromyalgia symptoms can make it worse, making it hard to manage.

The Connection Between Fibromyalgia and Abdominal Pain

If you have fibromyalgia, you might deal with more than just muscle pain. Digestive issues like tummy pain, trouble digesting food, and changes in how often you go to the bathroom can also happen. Especially if you’re a woman because it’s common for women with fibromyalgia to have these tummy problems.

This might be because your body’s control system for things like muscles and digestion isn’t working right. Along with the usual signs of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), like feeling swollen and not going to the bathroom regularly, you might also have other tummy problems like feeling sick all the time, throwing up sometimes, or burping a lot. These could be signs of functional stomach issues.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

Many people with fibromyalgia also have digestive symptoms like stomach cramps, constipation, or diarrhea, which are like those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), especially after eating. Figuring out why fibromyalgia and IBS are connected is tricky. It’s because fibromyalgia affects how your brain and body communicate, including your gut. Also, there are tiny organisms in your intestines called gut microbiota. They’re usually helpful, but if they’re not balanced, it can cause IBS symptoms.

Relief for Fibromyalgia Constipation and Stomach Pain

The best way to deal with tummy discomfort from fibromyalgia is to use different methods together. Pay attention to what you eat because it affects how you feel. Also, try things like relaxing, doing physical therapy, and moving around more. Keep track of your tummy symptoms so you can see what makes you feel better or worse. 

Dietary Changes

Eating foods that are natural and not processed, like the Mediterranean diet, can help you stay healthy. This diet has lots of fruits and veggies, foods with omega-3 fats, and antioxidants that lower inflammation. It’s also smart to eat less of the foods that can cause inflammation, like red meat, alcohol, caffeine, gluten, sugary foods, and processed snacks.

Training Your Response to Pain

To manage stomach pain from fibromyalgia well, it’s important to know that pain comes from different things, like what you eat, how your body works, and how you feel emotionally and socially. Figuring out what makes your pain worse, like stress or negative thoughts, is key to feeling better. You can do this by changing your diet, improving your sleep, and doing more physical activities.

Also, doing exercises that help your brain handle pain better can be helpful. By working on these things regularly, you can train your brain to handle pain better, which can make it hurt less often and not as bad. Effective strategies include:

Managing stress

Stress makes pain worse, especially for people with fibromyalgia. Even though we can’t get rid of stress completely, there are ways to make it less harmful to our bodies. Things like talking therapy and mindfulness can help a lot, but any relaxing activities you like can work too! Don’t forget to talk to friends, therapists, or support groups when you need emotional support.

Movement

Doing gentle exercises can help with fibromyalgia symptoms and make you feel better. You don’t need fancy gear or a gym. Find an activity you like, like walking or swimming. Start slowly and listen to your body. Be kind to yourself as you get better, every little step counts in managing your condition.

Sleep routine

Getting enough sleep is important if you have fibromyalgia, but we know it can be tough. Not sleeping well doesn’t just make you tired the next day, it can make your symptoms worse and make it harder to sleep the next night.

Tips to sleep better:

• Stick to a schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, aiming for about eight hours of sleep.
• Keep naps short: Long naps can affect your nighttime sleep.
• Stay active during the day: It can help you fall asleep faster at night.
• Power down screens before bed: It helps your brain relax and prepare for sleep.
• Create a sleep-friendly bedroom: Keep it dark and quiet for better rest.
• Limit caffeine, especially in the afternoon: It can keep you awake.
• Avoid heavy meals and alcohol before bed: They can disrupt your sleep quality.

Medications

Medicines can help with the stomach pain from fibromyalgia, but they’re not a cure-all. They’re an important part of your treatment plan. Some pain relievers you can buy without a prescription might help. Your doctor might suggest other medicines too. These could include antidepressants that work on your nerves to reduce pain and drugs that ease stomach problems often linked with fibromyalgia.

Speaking with healthcare professionals

Getting help from specialists like gastroenterologists can be helpful because they know a lot about how fibromyalgia affects your stomach. They can make a plan that’s just for you, to help with both your main condition and any stomach issues you have. You might also want to talk to a dietitian to learn more about how your diet could be affecting you.

Try Effective Ways of Managing Fibromyalgia-Related Stomach Issues Today

If you’re dealing with fibromyalgia and stomach issues, you’re not alone. Understanding the connection between them is the first step. Try simple changes like watching your diet, managing stress, and staying active. It’s important to listen to your body and seek help from healthcare professionals. By taking small steps, you can improve your quality of life and feel better.