Diet Changes You Can Make to Manage Your Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a problem that can affect any part of the body and may last for several months to several years. It's hard to control on your own and can affect daily living, too.
Medications, physical therapy, and even surgery can help ease chronic pain, but that's not always the case. If you're at your wit's end with chronic pain, you're probably open to trying anything — including changing your diet.
Diet changes can help you manage pain when other options haven't worked. Dr. Steven J. Svabek and his team can help if you're ready to explore your options.
Dr. Svabek is an orthopedic surgeon who provides various treatment modalities to help you regain control of your life.
Causes of chronic pain
Chronic pain happens when you experience pain somewhere in your body for over three months. It can occur in any part of your body and lead to various complications, including depression and anxiety.
The pain can be there all the time or seem to come and go, and it may lead to problems with work or spending time with friends or family. In some cases, chronic pain makes it hard to sleep, creating a terrible cycle that's hard to escape.
Various conditions can lead to chronic pain, including injuries and medical disorders. Other common issues that cause chronic pain include:
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Fractures
- Chronic regional pain syndrome
- Migraines
- Sprains or strains
Some people with chronic pain don't have a physical cause; their pain comes from psychological factors, including stress or depression. It may be due to low levels of endorphins in the body, which help control positive feelings.
How does diet help pain?
Have you ever heard the saying "you are what you eat”? If you eat inflammatory foods, your body will become inflamed and painful. Simply changing your diet can help you control pain and other symptoms — without the side effects of medications.
It's common knowledge that certain foods aren't good for the body in various ways, including by causing inflammation. A diet full of processed foods can lead to extreme inflammation in the body, which only exacerbates chronic pain.
Sometimes, your diet is the root cause of aches and pains you can't explain. Inflammation is one of the causes of chronic pain in the body, which can be difficult to eliminate even with the most aggressive treatments.
Taking control of your diet is a great way to manage chronic pain, because eating the right things can reduce inflammation and discomfort.
Diet tips for reduced pain
If you're tired of dealing with pain, Dr. Svabek offers various treatments and options to deal with it. He gives you tips for managing chronic pain, including changing your diet.
Diet changes are sometimes difficult, but remember you'll reap the benefits in a few weeks. Diet tips that can help you manage chronic pain include:
Eat plenty of fruits and veggies
Fruits and vegetables aren't just a healthy option for your weight and overall well-being but can also keep inflammation at bay. In particular, aim for cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cabbage.
Restrict diary
Dairy products can cause many issues in your stomach and your body, leading to chronic pain. If you drink too much milk, eat cheese, or partake in other dairy products, cut back or choose non-dairy options.
Avoid carbohydrates
Carbohydrates themselves aren't bad for chronic pain unless you have a condition that makes gluten a problem. However, processed carbohydrates cause a lot of inflammation, which can exacerbate chronic pain.
Cut back on red meat
Red meat also leads to inflammation and is generally unhealthy for your body. To control chronic pain, significantly reduce red meat and add fish, chicken, or vegetarian dishes.
Avoid sugar and processed foods
Sugar and processed foods are terrible for people with chronic pain. Not only do they negatively impact your weight, they lead to body-wide inflammation. Cut out processed foods and focus on whole ones for the best results.
If you need expert treatment for chronic pain, don't hesitate to call Dr. Svabek's team today at his Coral Springs, Florida office or request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.