Suffering From Fibromyalgia and Migraine? Researchers Say There Might Be a Link Between The Two

If you’re here, you’re probably already aware of what fibromyalgia and migraine are. If, by chance, you’re completely aloof to what these conditions are and just want to widen your knowledge base, we got you.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic (long-term) disorder characterized by fatigue, as well as tenderness and pain throughout your body. Migraine, on the other hand, is a neurological disease defined by recurrent episodes/attacks of headaches, often coupled with sensitivity to smell/touch/sound/light, nausea, or numbness/tingling in the hands and feet.

Deposit Photos | If that body pain just won’t go away, it’s time to consult a doctor

If you’ve been living with both these conditions, it wouldn’t be totally uncalled for to wonder whether there might be a connection between the two – and that’s exactly what we’re looking into today.

So buckle up! Here come the answers you might have been looking for.

Does One Cause the Other?

According to neurologist/headache specialist and clinical associate professor of neurology at Penn Medicine, Dr. Roderick Spears comments on the correlation between the two and the likelihood of patients with migraine developing fibromyalgia, and vice versa.

One study published in Clinical Rheumatology highlighted that over 30% of migraine patients also have fibromyalgia. Similarly, the journal Headache featured research that indicated fibromyalgia patients have a 55.8% likelihood to develop migraines.

Even though this much is clear, there is still a lack of evidence covering the relationship between the two. Potentially, however, there is bound to be some sort of musculoskeletal and neurological overlap that causes both conditions to often coexist.

Deposit Photos | Some people even have migraine attacks that last for days

Are There Any Lifestyle Changes That Might Help?

When it comes to health, there are always some healthy habits you can pick up on to make any given situation better for yourself. Here are some that might help with fibromyalgia and migraine.

1. Getting Adequate Sleep – Spear comments that regulating sleep is essential to bettering both conditions. The Journal Pain published a study that highlighted how a lack of sleep could lead to migraine attacks. Another published in Nature Reviews Rheumatology outlined how fibromyalgia symptoms increase with a lack of sleep.

2. Keep Yourself Hydrated – Hydration is vital for a healthy body. Spear advises you to drink at least 2 liters (64 ounces) of water a day.

3. Consume A Healthy Diet – Foods that are artificially sweetened or are processed should generally be avoided, especially by people with such conditions.

4. Exercise If Possible – With fibromyalgia and migraine, it is often difficult to exercise without causing pain or triggering headaches. If your condition permits it at all, squeeze some exercise into your daily routine.

Deposit Photos | Adopt a healthy routine today – your body will thank you for it

Bottom Line

While certain health conditions might leave you feeling completely powerless, that isn’t the case fibromyalgia or migraine. So, starting today, try fostering healthy habits that bring improvement to your life and health.