WHAT ARE YOUR RISK FACTORS?

• Being female. It's estimated that fibromyalgia occurs between 70 percent and 90 percent more often in women than in men.
• Disturbed sleep patterns. It's unclear whether sleeping difficulties are a cause or a result of fibromyalgia, but people with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome have more of a tendency develop the condition.
• Family history. You may be more likely to develop fibromyalgia if a relative has the condition.

• Exercise regularly. Aerobic exercise such as walking, running and swimming has been shown to diminish the muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia. To be effective, exercise should be regular and of moderate intensity. At first, exercise may increase your pain, but doing it regularly often improves symptoms. You should aim for at least 20 to 30 minutes of exercise four or more times a week. Stretching and relaxation exercises (yoga, Pilates) are also helpful.
• Get enough sleep. Fatigue is one of the main effects of fibromyalgia. It is therefore essential to get enough sleep. In addition to allowing enough time for sleep, you should develop good sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time and limiting daytime napping.
• Reduce stress. Develop a plan to avoid or limit overexertion and emotional stress. Give yourself time each day to relax. It is important not to change your routine completely. People who give up work or cease all activity due to discomfort tend to fare worse than those who remain active.
• Pace yourself. Try to keep your level of activity consistent. If you do too much on your good days, you may find yourself having more bad days.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Try to exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet, limit your caffeine intake, get adequate rest, and do something that you find enjoyable and fulfilling to relax you every day. See Wellness Tips.
• Consult your doctor / health professional about new food-based non-drug supplements formulated to help improve quality of life* such as Recovery with Nutricol™. Recovery™ has been developed to improve circulation to tissues, speed repair and slow or halt tissue damage.