How To Care For Your Loved One With Fibromyalgia
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What is fibromyalgia
The first thing to remember, fibromyalgia can seriously affect the daily life of your senior loved one. Another key point, it is a condition that is the onset of widespread muscle spasms, chronic pain, and fatigue. Which significantly interferes with their daily living. As a result, it becomes more of a complex problem for parents aged 65 years and above. On the contrary, they already suffer from other existing physical ailments. By all means, it is imperative to understand this disease to give proper care to our senior parents affected by the disease. All things considered, researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals.
Understanding fibromyalgia
It is important to realize; it is a condition where there is stiffness along with tenderness in the joints, bones, and muscles. A point often overlooked, the condition can affect both young adults and senior patients. However, the senior group is the most compromised. In addition, women are more affected by the condition in comparison to men. As a result, the chronic pain and sleeplessness that accompanies the condition make life very difficult for our senior parents. Unfortunately, the pain that lingers on throughout the day affects the quality of life. And makes it difficult for our loved ones to carry out their daily tasks. For one thing, what causes the disease, remains a mystery. However, several factors play a role in the sudden onset of tenderness and inflammation in the bones and joints.
Are we all at risk for fibromyalgia?
It must be remembered, individuals with fibromyalgia are more sensitive to pain. For this reason, this happens because the brain perceives signals related to pain in a different way. As a result, the brain signals the feeling of pain even in conditions of non-painful stimuli.
Also, Women are at an increased risk of developing it. Therefore, the female hormones are to play foul in the cause of the disease. So, patients suffering from the disease have abnormal levels of certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin, nerve growth factor, and substance P. Fibromyalgia. This may run in the family. And so, there might be a genetic predisposition in the development of this condition. All these factors put together the most compelling evidence that plays a vital role in the onset of fibromyalgia.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
Another key point, to plan better caregiving strategies for senior parents with fibromyalgia. It becomes necessary to understand and recognize the symptoms of the disease. Under these circumstances, fibromyalgia shares common symptoms with other diseases. Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection, or significant psychological stress. Unfortunately, the symptoms of fibromyalgia are not restricted to joint pain and muscle aches. But, it also affects the mental as well as the gut health of the individuals. So, it becomes necessary to check for the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia to rule out the possibility of other disease conditions.
A checklist of symptoms
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Chronic pain in muscles, bones, and joints, which may worsen during the night.
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The onset of tension headaches or migraines.
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Tingling sensation along with numbness in the hands and feet.
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Chronic fatigue.
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Deep sleep is not possible for your loved ones with fibromyalgia. Patients may wake up tired even after sleeping for long hours, as they seldom slip into the deep sleep mode.
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The onset of anxiety as well as depression.
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Individuals are also affected by irritable bowel syndrome—a syndrome characterized by the onset of abdominal pain. Also, alternate bouts of diarrhea and constipation, and also bloating.
- Cognitive problems. This impairs the ability to focus, pay attention, and concentrate on mental tasks.
As a result, so far, there are no clinical tests available for diagnosing fibromyalgia. Another key fact, a confirmed analysis, can be based on the duration of pain. Furthermore, when there is widespread chronic pain present for at least 3 months. Also, when other disease conditions are not present. Only then can the diagnosis of the disease be confirmed.
Tips for caring for senior loved ones
It is important to realize; caregivers have an important role in the lives of their loved ones with fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, taking care of senior parents is a bit difficult task. As a result, chronic pain and fatigue make them depressed and anxious. Not to mention, there is no cure for the disease. Notably, this is a fact that everyone should acknowledge by their loved ones and caregivers—however, medications and certain lifestyle changes. On the positive side, the pain can be lessened greatly, and it can help our senior parents live a comfortable life. The following are some of the tips for taking care of your senior loved ones.
Tips
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Encourage your senior parents to exercise regularly. As a result, this will help the muscles to relax and ease the pain.
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Limit alcohol and caffeine intake as much as possible. In addition, avoid taking alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks during evening hours to get a proper night’s sleep.
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Massage therapy. You can also give a mild massage to your senior parents to relieve the pain.
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Relaxation techniques. Practicing stress-relieving exercises along with meditation is essential.
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Cognitive-behavioral therapy. This is also very effective in reducing psychological stress.
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Medications are usually the last resort. Only given when lifestyle changes are not effective enough to ease the pain and stress. Another key point, take all medications at the same time.
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Exercise is the best medicine. As a result, you still need to encourage your parents to continue exercising. With this in mind, this will help relieve the muscles from stress. Also, allow the medications to show the desired effect.
- Acupuncture. A Chinese medical system based on restoring the normal balance of life forces. As a result, this works by inserting very fine needles through the skin to various depths. According to Western theories of acupuncture, the needles cause changes in blood flow. Also, the needle cause changes in the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord. Another key point, some studies indicate that acupuncture helps relieve fibromyalgia symptoms, while others show no benefit.
- Your loved ones with fibromyalgia will often find difficulty falling asleep. It is important to realize, following a set bedtime routine can help them sleep properly.
Conclusion
As already stated, the symptoms of fibromyalgia and other diseases are common. This makes the diagnosis a tricky affair. Therefore, to ensure a correct diagnosis. Caregivers are to keep a close watch on the type and nature of symptoms their loved one is experiencing. Furthermore, the timely diagnosis of the condition can arrest disease progression. Also, allow the proper initiation of treatment. Follow the above-mentioned tips. This will help the caregivers take proper care of their loved ones with fibromyalgia. For more information, check out this site. Also, check out this post on surgery. It can be difficult to attend to your loved one with constipation, but it’s not impossible. With the right knowledge, you can do this. Don’t forget about taking care of yourself and keeping your business going while you are caregiving. I’m here to assist you on this journey. Schedule your planning session with me so we can look at how to keep your life and your business running smoothly.
