Endometriosis, The Not-So-Silent Condition
Endometriosis is a gynecological disease that most often occurs in women of childbearing age; mid-twenties is often when it occurs. This disease is caused by the appearance of endometrial cells in different areas of the pelvis and abdomen. These cells appear in places that are not natural for them and as a result form a local inflammatory process, the formation of cysts, leading to chronic pain and numerous symptoms that can be crippling. Recently, the light has been shed on the condition, there has been Endometriosis awareness week and many women have spoken up about their stories; but whilst there are treatments available, it is important to look at alternatives that don’t always include heavy medications.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms are often varied and may not all occur at one time. This is what makes it harder to diagnose. However, maintain an accurate diary of all your symptoms and the times in which you get the symptoms during your cycle. All women’s cycles vary a little; so be sure to be as accurate as possible to get a better overview. Some common symptoms include:
Severe and prolonged menstrual cramps
Abdominal bloating
Nausea, vomiting
A change in mood
Pelvic pain, back pain and leg pain
Sore feet
Pain when urinating
The appearance of blood in the urine
Changes in bowel movements: diarrhea, constipation, pain during bowel movements
Rectal bleeding during menstruation
Depression
Look at the alternatives
If the situation is quite severe, your doctor may have spoken to you about medications and possibly surgery. Surgery may be something to consider if the problem feels out of control. In women with endometriosis can be performed for various reasons, such as: failure of drug treatment, significant findings such as large ovarian cysts, involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, recurrent failures of fertility treatments and sometimes even for diagnosis. The usual surgery is a laparoscopy. During the laparoscopic operation, a complete examination of the abdominal cavity can be performed for the purpose of assessing the extent of the disease, taking biopsies, separating adhesions and removing all foci of endometriosis. However, there are always other routes to take. Supplements and natural remedies have been a part of medicine for millions of years. Here are some of the methods and products to try:
CBD - CBD for endometriosis is an excellent choice for chronic pain. It is non-addictive, and provides the body with a number of benefits. It works with chronic pain exceptionally well and does not affect any other area of the body; in fact it may also improve general health too.
Nutritional therapy - This is an exceptionally interesting part of healing. It follows that the power of nutrition is immense within the healing and balancing process of the body. If we provide the body with the substances it needs to heal, it will use them. If we stop supplying the body with substances that are harmful to it, then the body will not engage in unnecessary and endless evacuation of toxins, and will be able to direct more resources to healing processes.
There are foods that increase inflammatory processes in the body, endometriosis consists of a non-negligible inflammatory process which eventually causes intense pain. By dietary change, the inflammatory process can be significantly moderated and therefore reduce the pain and severity of the disease. There are studies today that show how proper nutrition, a diet called the "anti-inflammatory diet" helps in providing lower levels of inflammation in the body. An example of the anti-inflammatory diet is to eat foods low in processed sugars, low in meat and dairy products, and rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and omega-3s. There are many more examples of the significance of dietary change in endometriosis to research.
A healthier lifestyle: Some major changes must occur for a healthier balance. For example, quitting smoking, increasing sleep hours, proper exercise, proper coping with stress and more. An important example of a lifestyle change for example could be with your sleep habits. Today more and more groundbreaking studies are being done in the field of sleep, proving that it actually affects every possible aspect of human life. A lack of sleep causes a significant weakening of the immune system too. Therefore, practice a good sleep routine and allow your body to be part of a healthier routine, which could over time allow your body to heal and the symptoms of Endometriosis to be significantly reduced.
For further information you should consider talking to your doctor and never suffering in silence.
