If you have chronic pain, then you know that when you have a “flare” your pain is much worse. This is when the chronic pain that you suffer from suddenly becomes much more severe, and everyday activities are more difficult to do. Being aware of possible “triggers” could help you avoid pain flare-ups.
Weather and Pain
Have you ever heard someone predict a weather change due to an increase in headaches, or joint pain? Scientists don’t know the exact cause of this phenomenon, but the weather really can affect chronic pain, especially joint pain. Some think it is due to the barometric pressure dropping, and others believe it has to do with barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity changing rapidly. Either way, the consensus seems to be that weather really can exacerbate some types of chronic pain.
Keeping a pain journal to record details about flare-ups, could help you to determine patterns between the weather (and anything else such as diet, etc.) and your worst days. This may help you to avoid certain activities, or at a minimum help prepare you for a flare-up in the future.
Stress and Chronic Pain
Stress is a part of everyone’s daily life, but unmanaged or prolonged stress can be detrimental to your health. Unfortunately, for certain chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Fibromyalgia, Sjogren’s syndrome, Spasmodic Torticollis, and Migraines to name a few, the stress can exacerbate pain and trigger a flare-up.
Stress is very common among those with chronic pain conditions. Whether you suffer from the conditions listed above, or another chronic condition, stress management is key. The good news is that there are plenty of stress relief methods out there! Whether it be a creative outlet, meditation, or an activity, try to find the best method for you and incorporate it into your daily routine.
Hormonal Triggers
For women, hormonal changes can be a huge trigger for chronic pain. This could mean hormonal changes during your monthly menstrual cycle, or as you begin to head towards menopause. Estrogen and progesterone drop just before menstruation, this can result in what doctors call a “Menstrual Migraine” or Hormonal Headache. This is another great reason why a pain journal would be good to have. You can track your cycle along with your symptoms, and notice any trends there may be. The more you know, the more action you can take to avoid or prepare for triggers.
Foods Can Cause Inflammation
If you suffer from chronic inflammation, or your pain is related to the digestive system, then you need to be aware of what you are eating. Certain foods trigger inflammation which could result in a pain flare-up. Some foods that can cause inflammation are red meat, refined carbohydrates (like white bread), and fried foods.
Some foods help to reduce inflammation and therefore would help to reduce pain flare-ups. Foods like tomatoes, olive oil, green leafy vegetables, nuts, and berries all have anti-inflammatory properties. A lot of these foods are high in antioxidants and polyphenols (protective compounds found in plants).
A great anti-inflammatory diet would be a Mediterranean diet because it is high in nuts, vegetables, fruits, fish, and healthy oils. Even just removing processed foods from your diet could have a huge impact on the way you feel! Try it for 30 days and see how you feel!! Don’t forget to keep a pain journal, and record the food you eat. This will help you to keep track of what foods trigger your pain, and which don’t, allowing for you to adjust your diet accordingly.
* This post is for general informational and educational purposes only, please see our full DISCLAIMERS page for more information
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