logo
  • Internships
    • Program Overview
    • Program Dates & Program Fees
    • Program Safety and Security
    • Healthcare Internships in Peru
    • Medicine | Pre-Medicine
    • Physician Assistant | Pre-PA
    • Dentistry | Pre-Dentistry
    • Nursing | Pre-Nursing
    • Nutrition | Dietetics
    • Physical Therapy
    • Mental Health
    • Midwifery
    • Alumni Testimonials
    • GoAbroad Reviews
  • Admissions Consulting
    • Consulting and Advising Services
    • Secondary Essay Prompts Database
    • Medical School GPA Calculator
    • Medical School Tuition Database
    • Medical School Guides
    • PA School Map
  • Global Initiatives
    • Overview
    • Kenya
    • Tanzania
    • Uganda
    • Haiti
    • Colombia
    • Ecuador
    • Peru
  • Adventure
    • East Africa
    • South America
    • Caribbean
  • Pre-Health Blog
  • About Us
    • Message From Our Founders
    • Program Safety and Security
    • Ambassador Program
    • Alumni Testimonials
    • Contact Us
Apply Now
Apply Now
Reading:  
Can Increased Hydration Help Fibromyalgia?
Home Medicine

Can Increased Hydration Help Fibromyalgia?

by internationalmedicalaid

August 14, 2021

Fibromyalgia is a disorder identified by full-body musculoskeletal pain, in addition to extreme fatigue, poor memory, restless sleep cycles, and mood swings. Experts believe that fibromyalgia affects the patient’s spinal cord and brain in such a way that pain signals and their reception are amplified. 

In the United States alone, about 400 million adults (2% of the population) suffer from fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, there is no clear cause or cure for this disorder. Patients can get temporary relief from some treatments, such as increased hydration. 

According to data analyzed by crowdsourcing AI-powered platform StuffThatWorks, drinking more water can be very effective in managing fibromyalgia, with 80% of the users reporting they found it helpful. In this article, we will explore more about fibromyalgia, including how increased hydration can help relieve its symptoms.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Here are some of the most common signs and symptoms experienced by fibromyalgia patients. 

Pain and Stiffness

Fibromyalgia is most commonly identified with widespread pain all over the body. Most patients report a dull agony on both sides of their body, below and above their waist. This pain can last as long as three months. 

Fatigue and Tiredness

Even though fibromyalgia patients have reported getting a healthy 6 to 8 hours of sleep, they still feel extreme fatigue and exhaustion. Their sleep is often disturbed due to painful pangs in their body. Moreover, many people with fibromyalgia also have sleeping disorders such as sleep apnea and restless legs.

Lack of Concentration

A phenomenon often referred to as “fibro fog” makes it hard for fibromyalgia patients to concentrate and focus on a specific thing. They usually suffer from unusually short attention spans and have a hard time carrying out mental tasks.

Causes of Fibromyalgia

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is not clear. Many researchers tend to think that if a person goes through nervous stimulation repeatedly, they develop fibromyalgia. This development occurs because some changes (due to the stimulation) are instilled in the brain. 

Additionally, the pain receptors in the brain augment some memory of the pain or emotional trauma, becoming sensitized to signals of that sort. Furthermore, these changes can cause disbalance in particular chemicals that signal pain to the brain. 

Some of the most commonly suspected causes of fibromyalgia are as follows.

  • Genes: Scientists have observed that fibromyalgia runs in families; therefore, there may be some genetic mutation that may give patients a natural disposition towards developing the disorder. 
  • Infections: Some certain illnesses and infections appear to be connected with fibromyalgia.
  • Trauma or Stress: Physical or mental trauma such as the aftermath of a car accident or abuse can lead to a person developing fibromyalgia. 

Hydration and Fibromyalgia

As we mentioned earlier, treatments for fibromyalgia can temporarily reduce the effects of the disorder. However, if you are one of those people who are just developing fibromyalgia or the symptoms are not too severe yet, drinking more water and consuming more electrolytes can help. Increased hydration is one of the most effective ways to battle against fibromyalgia, regardless of how severe of a case it may be. 

Most doctors prescribe antidepressants, anti-epileptic drugs, and inhibitors to fibromyalgia patients. However, research shows that there are several non-pharmacological routes that one can take to fight against this disorder. These include exercise, hydration, acupuncture, and massage therapy. So, for the patients who prefer to treat their medical illnesses by natural means, increased hydration is their best bet at combating the condition. 

Having said that, it is worth mentioning that hydration does not only mean drinking enough water. Consuming electrolytes is equally important. Proper levels of electrolytes in the body are necessary for it to function properly. Many medicinal sources provide electrolytic powders, which patients can add to their beverages to normalize their electrolyte levels. Furthermore, if a patient feels that they are dehydrated, they must contact their doctor to help figure out a proper hydration plan. 

How to Hydrate Yourself Properly?

The usual rule of thumb is to drink at least eight glasses of water in one day. The current numbers that are backed by science are three liters for men and 2.2 liters for women. However, this theory also fails to work out in all cases. For example, a big athlete who sweats a lot needs a lot more water to operate properly than a short, lean person, whatever their gender may be. The same can be said when it comes to different weight classes. Due to these confusing standards, it is recommended for chronic patients to consult a doctor to find the optimum hydration level for them. 

Having said that, here are the best ways patients can hydrate themselves to combat the condition. 

  • Drink adequate amounts of water daily. Make sure that you at least consume the recommended quantity for your weight and height.
  • Try to avoid caffeine-containing beverages like coffee and tea. These beverages cause higher fluid loss in the body. Moreover, caffeine is responsible for lowering magnesium levels as well. So, if you regularly drink coffee, make sure to drink twice as much water to clear out any toxins.
  • Alcohol also dehydrates one’s body; you should cut down on your alcohol intake to make sure that you are perfectly hydrated.
  • Eat raw fruits and vegetables as much as possible. High-alkaline foods are not only great for hydration and health in general, but they also prevent inflammation and ease any rough, painful joints.
  • If you want to go the extra mile, then drinking special water with a pH of 9.5 is ideal.

In Conclusion

Fibromyalgia is a disorder with non-apparent causes and is characterized by symptoms including but not limited to pain, fatigue, restlessness, and sleep issues. There are many medicinal treatments for this disorder; however, increased hydration is the one anyone can safely use to relieve the symptoms. Though not much is known about the condition yet, adequate water quantities and appropriate electrolyte levels are recommended by some studies done thus far.

About IMA

International Medical Aid provides global internship opportunities for students and clinicians who are looking to broaden their horizons and experience healthcare on an international level. These program participants have the unique opportunity to shadow healthcare providers as they treat individuals who live in remote and underserved areas and who don’t have easy access to medical attention. International Medical Aid also provides medical school admissions consulting to individuals applying to medical school and PA school programs. We review primary and secondary applications, offer guidance for personal statements and essays, and conduct mock interviews to prepare you for the admissions committees that will interview you before accepting you into their programs. IMA is here to provide the tools you need to help further your career and expand your opportunities in healthcare.

Take the Next Step

Apply Now Admissions Consulting
logo

Internships

  • Medicine
  • Physician Assistant
  • Dentistry
  • Nursing
  • Nutrition
  • Mental Health
  • Physical Therapy
  • Midwifery
  • Harvard HMX

Resources

  • How It Works
  • Program Safety and Security
  • Program Dates & Program Fees
  • Alumni Interviews
  • Alumni Testimonials
  • GoAbroad Reviews
  • Pre-Health Blog

Admissions Consulting

  • Advising Services
  • Med School Guides
  • Secondary Prompts
  • Med School Tuition
  • PA School Tuition
  • PA School Map
  • GPA Calculator

Contact Us

4301 50th St NW
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20016

General Information

admissions@medicalaid.org

ADMISSIONS CONSULTING

consulting@medicalaid.org

Media Inquiries

marketing@medicalaid.org

Keep in Touch

International Medical Aid (IMA) provides students and institutions community-based global health education and study abroad programs. International Medical Aid, Inc. is a federally registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in the United States. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under law.


Globally Trusted, Alumni Approved


All Rights Reserved © 2023 International Medical Aid
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy