According to John Hopkins University, endometriosis is a condition that affects approximately 10 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44. Women with endometriosis have a higher risk of having fertility problems, inflammation, cysts, and scarring. Endometriosis is not curable, but there are treatments to alleviate pain and treat symptoms.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis can be regarded as a gynecologic disorder in which the tissue that normally grows in the uterus, endometrial tissue, begins to grow outside of the uterus. These lesions most commonly occur in the pelvic area, such as the fallopian tubes and bladder. This condition can be considered a whole-body disease as it can affect other parts of the body, including the abdominal wall and lungs.
Conventional Treatment Option
Endometriosis can be treated using a combination of medication to manage symptoms and laparoscopy for the removal of lesions. They include hormonal and anti-inflammatory treatment (oral contraceptives or GnRH analogues, progestins). Even with these treatments, endometriosis recurrence rates are high (5-20%) except for surgical removal of uterus and the ovaries.
Natural Treatment Alternatives
Endometriosis can be treated naturally in several ways. It can be a combination of hormone regulation, immune modulation and pain management.
Hormone Regulation
Endometriosis can be a condition caused by estrogen, which means that the more estrogen is present in the body, the worse the disease will become. You can address estrogen through a variety of methods, including cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and brussels springs. The following supplements can help us with our estrogen balance when we need an extra boost.
- Diindolylmethane
- N-acetyl cystine (NAC)
- Calcium D-glucarate
- Vitex agnus Castus
Reducing inflammation:
Endometriosis is known to be characterized by inflammation. Patients with the condition have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation is a well-known component of endometriosis. Patients with this condition have higher levels of inflammatory cytokines. Inflammation management involves nutrition, exercise and stress management. We also offer a variety of herbal and supplementary options that can help reduce inflammation, such as:
- Ginger root can also help with pain.
- Green tea extracts
- Curcumin
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Pain Management:
Endometriosis pain can be treated more quickly by addressing the symptoms at a deeper level. NSAIDs can help to relieve pain in the short term, but long-term usage can cause other problems, such as peptic and renal disease or heart attack/stroke risks. Botanical formulations can also be used to reduce pain and relax the smooth muscles. These include:
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Cramp Bark (viburnum opulus)
- Ginger
- Valerian Root
Environmental toxin exposure:
Exposure to environmental toxins can exacerbate endometriosis because xenoestrogens bind strongly to estrogen receptors. Dioxins, PCBs, and other environmental toxins can have a direct impact on symptoms because they affect growth factors, hormones, cytokines and other hormones. As it is impossible to avoid all exposures, the goal is to minimize exposures in order to prevent endometriosis. Environmental Working Group can be an excellent resource to assess your personal care products.
Gut health:
Endometriosis is not always treated by focusing on hormones and pain. Up to 90% of endometriosis sufferers experience gastrointestinal symptoms. The health of the GI system and gut microbiome plays a key role in hormone balance, inflammation and immune function. The gut microbiome can directly influence estrogen levels by the activity of a b-glucuronidase enzyme that causes an increase in estrogen when it is overproduced as a result of gut dysbiosis. Endometriosis can be treated by assessing for dysbiosis, making recommendations to restore a healthy microbiome and reducing inflammation.
Getting Started:
Finding a professional who can guide you through the process of treating endometriosis safely is the first step. You should always consult your doctor prior to starting any herbal or supplement to make sure it’s safe for you.
References:
- Eskenazi B., Warner ML. Epidemiology endometriosis. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 1997;24(2):235-258. doi:10.1016/s0889-8545(05)70302-8
- Wellbery C. Diagnosis of endometriosis. [Published correction in Am Fam Physician, 2000 May 1, 61(9):2614]. Am Fam Physician. 1999;60(6):1753-1768.
- Inflammation, endometriosis, Jiang L. Yan Y. Liu Z. Wang Y. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2016;21(5):941-948. Published 2016 Jun 1. doi:10.2741/4431
- Curcumin, Endometriosis. Vallee A. Lecarpentier Y. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020;21(7):2440. Published 2020 Mar 31. doi:10.3390/ijms21072440
- Marcum ZA, Hanlon JT. Recognizing Risks of Chronic Use of Nonsteroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs in Older Adults. Ann Longterm Care. 2010;18(9):24-27.
- Birnbaum LS, Cummings AM. Dioxins, endometriosis and a plausible hypotheses. Environ Health Perspect. 2002;110(1):15-21. doi:10.1289/ehp.0211015
- Bruner-Tran KL and Osteen KG. Dioxin and endometriosis. Syst Biol Reprod Medicine. 2010;56(2):132-146. doi:10.3109/19396360903381023
- Jiang I. Yong PJ. Allaire C. Bedaiwy MA. Intricate connections between the Microbiota, Endometriosis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021;22(11):5644. Published 2021 May 26. doi:10.3390/ijms22115644
The article Treating Endometriosis Naturally appeared first on Alternative Medicine Magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses holistic medicines?
Holistic medicine refers health care that addresses the whole person instead of just treating symptoms. It addresses both the mental as well as physical aspects of well being.
Holistic medicine can include acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic treatment. It also includes nutritional counseling, yoga, and many other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
What does it mean to use complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and reflexology.
Complementary medicine should not be considered in isolation of conventional medicine. Sometimes they’re called “alternative”, or “integrative”, because they combine Western scientific methods along with other therapies that have proven to be effective in healing people.
What’s the difference between holistic medicine versus alternative medicine?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person: body, mind, spirit, and soul. Holistic medicine examines every aspect of a person’s health. It also considers spiritual, physical, and environmental factors that may be overlooked by traditional medicine. Alternative medicine can treat specific conditions like allergies, asthma, arthritis, and others.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
liebertpub.com
doi.org
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary & Integrative Health Approaches
- What’s in the Name of Complementary and Alternative Health? NCCIH
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING FOR TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE–PubMed
- The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed
How To
What can a holistic doctor do differently than a traditional doctor?
A holistic doctor offers a wider range services than a traditional one, including nutritionists, massage therapists, naturopaths and homeopaths.
Holistic doctors treat patients holistically. This means they take a holistic approach to treating their health concerns. This helps them find the root causes and to take preventative steps and long-term care. Holistic doctors may use alternative medicine, including essential oils and herbs. They also provide nutritional support and dietary advice to promote healthy living.
In addition, holistic doctors offer therapies like acupuncture, reflexology, reiki, shiatsu, yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, craniosacral therapy, and many others.
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This blog is a source of general information and discussion on health and related topics. Information and materials on this blog, on the website, or in any of the connected materials are not intended to replace or used as a substitute for the advice of a medical professional, diagnosis, or treatment. This blog does not represent the application of any nursing, medical or other health professional advice or diagnosis. We are unable to diagnose health conditions, offer second opinions or provide specific treatment recommendations via this blog or on our website.
If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.
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By: Dick Benson
Title: Treating Endometriosis Naturally
Sourced From: alternativemedicine.com/womens-health/treating-endometriosis-naturally/
Published Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2023 02:30:22 +0000
Frequently Asked Questions
Who uses holistic medicines?
Holistic medicine refers health care that addresses the whole person instead of just treating symptoms. It addresses both the mental as well as physical aspects of well being.
Holistic medicine can include acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic treatment. It also includes nutritional counseling, yoga, and many other complementary therapies.
People who practice holistic medicine include people with cancer, heart issues, diabetes and arthritis.
What does it mean to use complementary medicine?
Complementary Medicine is an umbrella term for any medical treatment that complements mainstream medicine. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and reflexology.
Complementary medicine should not be considered in isolation of conventional medicine. Sometimes they’re called “alternative”, or “integrative”, because they combine Western scientific methods along with other therapies that have proven to be effective in healing people.
What’s the difference between holistic medicine versus alternative medicine?
Holistic medicine treats the whole person: body, mind, spirit, and soul. Holistic medicine examines every aspect of a person’s health. It also considers spiritual, physical, and environmental factors that may be overlooked by traditional medicine. Alternative medicine can treat specific conditions like allergies, asthma, arthritis, and others.
Statistics
- According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
- The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
- According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)
- The use of alternative medicine in the US has increased, with a 50 percent increase in expenditures and a 25 percent increase in the use of alternative therapies between 1990 and 1997 in America. (en.wikipedia.org)
- These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
External Links
liebertpub.com
doi.org
nccih.nih.gov
- Statistics on Complementary & Integrative Health Approaches
- What’s in the Name of Complementary and Alternative Health? NCCIH
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- BIOFEEDBACK TRAINING FOR TENSION-TYPE HEADACHE–PubMed
- The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial – PubMed
How To
What can a holistic doctor do differently than a traditional doctor?
A holistic doctor offers a wider range services than a traditional one, including nutritionists, massage therapists, naturopaths and homeopaths.
Holistic doctors treat patients holistically. This means they take a holistic approach to treating their health concerns. This helps them find the root causes and to take preventative steps and long-term care. Holistic doctors may use alternative medicine, including essential oils and herbs. They also provide nutritional support and dietary advice to promote healthy living.
In addition, holistic doctors offer therapies like acupuncture, reflexology, reiki, shiatsu, yoga, meditation, hypnotherapy, craniosacral therapy, and many others.
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