Fibromyalgia is an enigmatic condition that often stymies a doctor's diagnostic efforts. This is because symptoms such as widespread or localized pain, sleep disruptions, muscular stiffness and digestive problems are often manifested in other conditions as well. Your physician may prescribe medications to help alleviate your fibromyalgia symptoms or recommend that you modify or eliminate the intake of certain substances sometimes believed to affect fibromyalgia symptoms, including caffeine.
Caffeine Types
Caffeine appears in a wide selection of edible products such as coffee --- whether hot, iced or flavored ---hot and iced teas and sodas. Chocolate is also known to contain caffeine. Caffeine is often listed among the ingredients of energy drinks, although manufacturers do not commonly advertise this fact.
Abnormal Sleep Patterns
Physicians have identified the connection between fibromyalgia and sleep disorders, advising patients to modify behaviors and exclude substances that contribute to poor-quality sleep. Since caffeine is a common stimulant many people use to stay awake, physicians recognize it may play a role in patients' sleep deprivation problems. Your doctor may advocate complete elimination of caffeine, while others recommend patients refrain from consuming it in the hours leading up to bedtime.
Adrenal Gland Effects
Your adrenal glands may experience detrimental effects from caffeine consumption. Adrenal glands produce cortisol, a stress-related hormone that also influences your ability to sleep. Abnormal cortisol levels cause insomnia, which may be part of your compromised sleep cycle. Introducing caffeine into your body can cause additional stress on your adrenal glands, which in turn affects your quality of sleep.
Compensation for Emotional Distress
Consistent pain, dysfunctional sleep patterns and other fibromyalgia symptoms may cause patients considerable frustration and emotional distress. You might be tempted to overindulge in harmful substances as a form of self-medication. In addition to drugs and alcohol, some patients consume excessive amounts of caffeine to cope with emotional issues. This caffeine overindulgence may exacerbate your fibromyalgia symptoms.
References
- "The New York Times"; Fibromyalgia In-Depth Report
- "Ask the Dietitian"; Caffeine, Coffee, Tea, Cola and Energy Drinks; Joanne Larson, MS, RD LD
- Family Doctor: Fibromyalgia
- National Fibromyalgia Institute: Fibromyalgia Treatments
- Fibromyalgia-Symptoms: At-Home Treatments
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Fibromyalgia - Prognosis
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