Table of contents:
- Symptoms of endometriosis
- How do you deal with everyday endometriosis?
- 1. Watch your food
- 2. Regular exercise
- 3. Avoid stress
Endometriosis is a medical condition that affects the lower abdomen in women. This happens because the type of tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus (endometrium) actually grows on the outside.
Some women have endometriosis without knowing it. However, there are also women who experience severe and chronic menstrual pain, but think that the pain is normal. As a result, often a woman is diagnosed with endometriosis after years of experiencing it.
Symptoms of endometriosis
The main symptom that appears if you have endometriosis is pain in the lower abdomen. These symptoms often appear and get worse, especially during menstruation or during sexual intercourse.
The severity of the pain varies, sometimes it can radiate from the lower abdomen, back to the legs. Others say the pain feels like cramps, and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The pain you feel is also influenced by the location where the endometrial tissue grows. This tissue can grow in the urinary organs, which can cause problems when urinating, or in the intestines that can cause problems with bowel movements. When tissue grows on the ovaries or fallopian tubes, it can cause fertility problems.
How do you deal with everyday endometriosis?
Severe endometriosis can affect a woman's daily activities and even reduce her quality of life. There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but there are three things that can be done to relieve the symptoms.
1. Watch your food
There is a theory that dietary fat affects the production of prostaglandins in a woman's body. It is thought that high levels of prostaglandins can lead to higher estrogen production as well, thus affecting the growth of endometrial tissue.
Another study states that there is a significantly reduced risk of endometriosis in women who regularly eat green vegetables and fresh fruit. In contrast, women who often eat red meat have a higher risk.
In addition to eating more fruits and vegetables, try to avoid foods that can cause inflammation, including processed foods, dairy products, and sugar. Limit your consumption of these foods and see if there are any changes from your usual abdominal pain symptoms.
2. Regular exercise
Often people who experience pain refuse to exercise for fear that the pain will actually get worse. But over time, doing regular physical activity can actually reduce the pain and discomfort you feel.
A study shows that women who regularly do sports such as jogging, aerobics, and cycling have a lower risk of developing endometriosis. Regular physical activity can help women who have endometriosis by:
- Blood circulation to the organs of the body
- Maintain nutrients and oxygen flow to the system in the body
- Reduces stress
- Trigger endorphins in the brain which can reduce pain
3. Avoid stress
The symptoms of endometriosis can become more severe when a person is feeling stressed. For that, you must learn to manage your stress and emotional distress.
Try using relaxation techniques that can help you focus on relaxing things that reduce the production of stress hormones. A relaxation technique that you can easily try is to take a deep breath through your nose, then slowly exhale it through your mouth.
As with any chronic condition, it is very important for women with endometriosis to become familiar with their own bodies and to know how to deal with their symptoms. This can be started with healthier lifestyle changes through regular diet and activity.
If lifestyle changes have not been able to solve the problem you feel, consult your doctor to get further tests and treatment options that are suitable for you.
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