Health

What to do when endometriosis flares up – 6 tips to help ease the pain


Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in the UK, with this number reaching around 1.5 million. It takes about eight years on average to be diagnosed with a painful chronic illness, and even if you do get treatment, the condition is incurable and you will inevitably experience flare-ups and debilitating pains. Very little is known about how to manage the condition, so Express.co.uk spoke to the experts to find out six things you should do during an endometriosis flare-up to manage your attacks. painful.

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects women in a number of ways. It can cause pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and/or fertility problems.

But fundamentally, the condition varies so much from person to person that it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what it looks like. That’s why so many people go undiagnosed.

Cosmetologist and hormone specialist Dr Martin Kinsella from BioID Hormones said: “Endometriosis is characterized by an overgrowth of endometrial tissue, which is thought to grow. inside the uterus but grows outside instead.

“This misplaced tissue continues to function as endometrial tissue usually does, thickening, breaking down, and bleeding at certain times of each menstrual cycle.

“This leads to pain and tissue overgrowth that can affect a woman’s fertility.

“Although the exact cause of endometriosis is still not completely understood, most doctors and studies suggest that hormonal and genetic changes are the primary causes.”

READ MORE- Paracetamol side effects: Two of the ‘most common’ signs on your skin

If you’re a woman struggling with endometriosis, you already know all about what endometriosis is.

However, do you really understand why it flares up from time to time? Dr. Kinsella explains that flare-ups are the result of hormone fluctuations.

“Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, which means it thrives on estrogen,” he says. And, many women with endometriosis are also caused by a hormone imbalance, often estrogen-dominant.

“Oestrogen dominance is when estrogen and progesterone levels are out of balance. It’s actually a type of estrogen, called estradiol, that regulates the way your uterine tissue grows.

“So if you have endometriosis, high levels of this hormone can cause inflammation and symptoms.

“Many women report experiencing more or less intense pain at certain times in their lives, such as puberty, menopause, and pregnancy, because of fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy. these times cause endometrial tissue to grow more quickly or more slowly.”

Kate Ford health: Soap star reveals she is ‘struggling’ with condition

Endometriosis is usually treated with laparoscopic surgery to remove the lesions and then with contraceptives such as an IUD or oral contraceptive.

However, treatment for endometriosis may not always be necessary if your symptoms are mild, you have no fertility problems, or you are approaching menopause when symptoms may be in remission. without treatment.

Dr. Kinsella points out that endometriosis sometimes goes away on its own but can get worse if left untreated.

“Anti-inflammatory drugs can help with pain, and hormone therapy can be effective in limiting or stopping estrogen production, which can reduce tissue numbers in the body,” he says.

However, what else can you do other than take anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin?

It’s important to note that everyone’s symptoms are different, and you’ll want to treat your symptoms, whether it’s abdominal pain, pain during sex, pain when going to the bathroom, or heavy bleeding during your period. menstruation or bleeding between periods.

Hannah Samano, founder of Unfabled, the first cyclical care platform, suggests six things to do for treating flare-ups of endometriosis (rest assured, this advice comes from experience working with a whole bunch of people. the community is full of endo warriors, so Hannah knows her thing).

DO NOT MISS…
Endometriosis Natural Treatments: Six Supplements to Take [INFORMER]
Kate Ford health: Soap star reveals she is ‘struggling’ with condition[INSIGHT]
Sleepless? Five unusual side effects of insomnia you should know [EXPLAINER]

CBD – you won’t believe in miracles!

According to Hannah, CBD is really the main thing that helps the endometriosis community on her website.

“It’s relatively new to consumers, it’s only been a trend for a few years – but it’s really helpful,” she explains.

“There is growing evidence that CBD may be beneficial for endo symptoms. It is packed with anti-inflammatory properties and mild pain-relieving properties that can help relieve pain.

“Topical CBD can be very soothing and pain-relieving. We have options like Daye’s balm that contain concentrated levels of pure, pure hemp extract with natural CBD.

“You can choose a topical oil, but you can also choose an edible CBD oil. Our Remedy produces CBD Oil with geranium, lavender and sweet orange – designed to help you relax, cool down and fall asleep.”

Heating pad

Heating pads can be a lifesaver for pain relief! Applying heat to the abdomen can help relax the pelvic muscles and keep blood flowing, which can reduce cramping.

“You can buy a hot water bottle, a heating pad, or you can find an alternative like the BeYou Monthly Pain Relief Patch, all of which can ease cramps and colic,” says Hannah. terrible.

“BeYou’s alternative is specifically designed to induce a ‘cool sensation’ on application and slowly provide a numbing sensation on the skin over 12 hours.”

An Instagram scroll through dedicated endometriosis pages supports evidence that these pain relief patches really do work, so it’s worth a shot if you have severe cramping.

Take a warm bath

In a circuit similar to a heating pad, a warm bath surrounds your body with heat, which can help relieve pain, says Hannah.

She adds: “CBD can also be of great help, and you can take a CBD bath that combines natural oils and butter with CBD – to help you relax your body.”

When you’re in the tub, try to avoid your phone and use the time to really relax.

You can even exfoliate your body or apply a hair mask and mask to take your skincare to another level (if you have the time and energy!)

Diet

We all know that what you eat has a big effect on how you feel in general – and it can also affect your endometriosis symptoms.

“Research has shown that anti-inflammatory foods can help reduce symptoms, so eating and avoiding certain foods can certainly help,” says Hannah.

“Try to eat a diet rich in green vegetables, as well as foods rich in omega-3s – think fish, seeds, nuts, etc. Green tea is also a great option to include in your diet. your.

“Refined carbohydrates are inflammatory, so can inflame your bowels and make pain worse, so avoid those that can and limit dairy – we all know dairy can cause pain.” annoying for anyone, let alone those with endometriosis symptoms!

“There are a lot of milk alternatives around you can try instead.”

However, don’t feel too bad if you have a few snacks. It’s hard to eat perfectly when you’re in pain and feeling miserable!

Ginger and turmeric tea

If you find it difficult to cut things out of your diet, think about what you can add to your diet.

“Tea can help relieve pain by warming the body and soothing the stomach,” says Hannah.

“Ginger and turmeric both have benefits and there are also specially made teas, such as Oh My Flo tea, which is made up of herbs and plants adapted to support your hormonal health. friends, boosts energy and calms mood swings.”

Exercise and move your body

Sometimes when you’re facing symptoms, the last thing you want to do is exercise.

In the endometriosis community, exercise is a sensitive topic. Some people find it frustrating that exercise is promoted as a treatment for a medical condition because it feels like an impossibility when you’re in extreme pain.

Hannah says: “Never force yourself to exercise if you can’t! Always listen to your body.”

However, if you think you can manage a little physical activity, it helps.

However, simple exercise can help with pain – think about what endorphins can do for you, which is a natural mood booster and can also help with depression, the expert added. or anxiety due to endometriosis.

“Of course, it’s not a cure-all and it won’t be the best choice for many people – if you want to relax and lie still with a heating pad, that’s also perfectly fine. It totally depends on your body and your symptoms. ”

Infrared sauna blanket

Women with endometriosis tend to have hormone imbalances, and having more estrogen than usual means it’s harder to regulate your menstrual cycle.

Studies show that unwanted body toxins contribute to endometriosis flares by disrupting hormone action in the body, but spending time in an infrared sauna blanket can can be useful.

MiHIGH’s Infrared Sauna Blanket (mihigh.co.uk, £399.00) stimulates the lymphatic system, sweats and makes it easier for your body to flush and remove toxins.

Infrared heat can also help relieve menstrual symptoms such as cramps, lower back pain, joint pain, headaches, bloating and acne due to increased blood flow, improved circulation and detoxifying properties. due to the heat of the sauna.

Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk



Source link

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button