Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain. People with the condition experience intense, often excruciating, pain in their muscles and joints. Other symptoms include fatigue, sleep problems, cognitive difficulties, and depression. In this blog, we will discuss why alcohol and fibromyalgia are not good together and how it affects the body.
What you will learn
How does alcohol worsen symptoms of fibromyalgia?
The effects of alcohol on fibromyalgia are well documented in the medical literature. Alcohol can cause or worsen many of these conditions for people who have fibromyalgia. Alcohol consumption significantly increases pain intensity in the following:
- chest tightness
- neck stiffness
- joint stiffness.
Let’s look into three specific things alcohol affects in people with fibro:
- Sleep
- Pain and fatigue
- Stomach problems
Sleep
Alcohol affects the central nervous system and can cause a person to feel sleepy or tired. This can be especially problematic for people with fibromyalgia who often have sleeping difficulties.
The increased fatigue from alcohol also exacerbates the pain experienced by those that suffer this condition which increases their sensitivity to it. This then leads them back into a vicious cycle of more drinking and even worse symptoms in response because they feel too exhausted or sensitive after each bout of consuming any amount at all!
This is called “sensitivity.” It’s common among patients diagnosed as having fibromyalgia. Also, when you’re symptomatic enough already – one drink will do just about anything but help your situation!!! Alcohol consumption significantly decreases sleep quality, including hours slept per night.
Pain and Fatigue
Alcohol is not recommended for people with fibromyalgia because it may worsen symptoms such as pain, fatigue, and depression. The reason why alcohol causes more pain and fatigue is that it’s a central nervous system depressant. It decreases the activity in your brain, slowing down all of its functions including sleep and sensory processing which are very important for those with fibromyalgia.
The consequences aren’t worth any potential “positive” side effects that could happen while drinking alcohol- such as increased relaxation or even slight pain relief – when there are so many other options out there in this vast world! (no need to go into detail).
Alcohol can worsen depression in people suffering from fibromyalgia. It may also make it more difficult to sleep or sense things like heat, cold, etc. because alcohol is a depressant that slows down all functions of the brain, including sensory processing, which are important for people with FM/FMS (fibro).
The amount one drinks affect how these symptoms manifest themselves so if you do drink… try not consuming too much! And remember what we said about depression- don’t be fooled into thinking drinking will help your mood when there’s no evidence whatsoever linking reduced depressive symptomology as an effect from moderate consumption on its own – though again this doesn’t mean some won`t find relief through other means.
Stomach Problems
Drinking alcohol can also lead to stomach problems such as nausea and vomiting, which are common for people with fibromyalgia. Drinking too much may increase the risk of developing an addiction or dependence on it, which is more common among people with fibromyalgia than in others.
Stomach problems can occur with people suffering from fibromyalgia because alcohol can irritate the stomach lining, which is already inflamed because of fibromyalgia. In addition, alcohol causes some gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting when people drink too much. It can also worsen your pain levels in general if you have a tendency towards abdominal migraines as well!
How can people with fibro reduce their drinking habits?
Reducing alcohol intake can be very helpful for people suffering from fibromyalgia because it has been shown that some of the symptoms are worse when a person drinks too much. However, we need to discuss drinking as an option in moderation! It is important not just to reduce your consumption, but also to find ways how you may incorporate other things into your life instead.
Social activities without having any type or limited amount of alcoholic beverages. (e-g., avoid going out with friends and meeting up at restaurants where they serve beer).
Moderation combined with limited intake of alcohol can limit pain levels while reducing risk factors related to other health problems associated with this condition’s symptomology.
So make changes…feel better in your body!