4 Ways to Fight Fibromyalgia Fatigue

By Marina Pink | November 9, 2018 |

In addition to pain, older adults who have fibromyalgia may experience chronic fatigue. You might think that the best way to deal with your aging relative’s fatigue is to just let them rest. The problem is that fatigue isn’t usually fixed by rest. It sticks with the person and can keep them from doing their regular daily tasks and the things they enjoy. If your older family member suffers from fibromyalgia fatigue, here are 4 ways to help them fight it.

#1: Talk to the Doctor About Supplements

Taking certain vitamins may boost energy levels in people with fatigue. Some supplements that may help are B vitamins, magnesium, and D-ribose. However, it’s important that you talk to the older adult’s doctor before they begin taking any supplements. Some supplements may interfere with medications or cause other problems.

If the doctor okays the use of supplements, a home care provider can remind the senior to take them every day.

#2: Change the Daily Schedule

If your aging relative’s fatigue seems worse at certain times of the day or under certain conditions, change their daily schedule to accommodate for the fatigue. Schedule activities and appointments at times of the day when they are less likely to feel tired. And, when fatigue interrupts the schedule, be flexible whenever possible.

Home care providers can assist family caregivers in looking for trends in the older adult’s fatigue. It can help to keep a daily log of activities, environmental conditions, foods eaten, and how symptoms are affected. A home care provider can write down the information for the times they are there.

#3: Prepare Healthy Meals and Snacks

Food is the fuel the body needs for energy. If your aging relative isn’t eating well, it could make their fatigue worse. And, being tired makes it less likely that they will eat well because they may lack the energy to prepare meals.

Home care can allow your loved one to eat better by preparing meals and snacks for them. They can even make food ahead of time that can be heated up at meal times.

#4: Encourage Exercise

It might seem odd to say that someone who is fatigued needs to expend more energy by exercising. However, experts say that exercise reduces the pain of fibromyalgia, so it’s not something fibromyalgia patients should skip. That doesn’t mean that seniors with the disease should spend hours doing strenuous exercise. Instead, they should find forms of exercise that are gentle on their bodies and are not too taxing. Some good options are yoga, walking, or swimming.

Home care can help older adults to exercise more by going for walks with them or driving them to exercise facilities. In addition, they can help to add physical activity to the senior’s day by encouraging them to participate in household activities like cleaning, raking leaves, or gardening.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering home care in Pasadena, CA please contact the caring staff at Home Care Help. Serving All of Los Angeles County. Call Us Today (888) 989-7388

Sources

https://www.everydayhealth.com/pain-management/fibromyalgia/how-fight-fibromyalgia-fatigue/

https://fibromyalgia.newlifeoutlook.com/fibromyalgia-fatigue/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/lifestyle-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-715754

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Marina Pink

Owner at Home Care Help

Marina Pink is the Owner at Home Care Help. Home Care Help is an innovator in providing services in a caring and professional manner. We have an exceptional history, spanning twenty-three years, of providing care to people in moments that matter most. It is our utmost priority to address every need in a timely manner; and, it is our goal, above all else, to give the level of support that enables our residents to have as much independence as possible with care and respect.