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01-02-24
Living with Endometriosis: Long-Term Management Strategies
Endometriosis is a painful disorder that occurs when the uterine lining grows out of the uterus. The growth seems abnormal because the tissue can be found in different areas like fallopian tubes, pelvic lining, and even around the bowel or bladder.
There's no age group as to who can be affected by endometriosis. Women between the ages of 12 and 60 years are all at risk of developing endometriosis. Suffering from endometriosis can lead to pelvic pain and also increase the risk of infertility.
Endometriosis can't be cured sooner, too, so you must visit a gynecologist constantly. Dr. Pankhuri Gautam can indeed be a great help in treating your condition and helping you live with it. With proper management strategies, you'll be able to live without any disruptions. Let's look at some of the best strategies for managing endometriosis.
7 Tips on Managing Endometriosis
Endometriosis is not a ‘completely curable’ condition, which is why if you have it, you need to learn how to live with it. So, let's take a look at some of the significant tips for managing endometriosis:
1. Watch Your Diet
You need to watch your diet, especially when you're suffering from endometriosis. After all, it can help to manage inflammation and metabolism.
Concerning your diet, you need to be very careful and mindful about the food. Usually, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help to prevent the risk of endometriosis. At the same time, you need to reduce the consumption of red meat because it increases the estrogen level in the body, which increases the risk of endometrial tissue growth.
Research suggests that increasing omega-3 fatty acid consumption can help lower endometriosis risk. Thus, your diet should include foods like flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon and more.
2. Workout Regularly
Contrary to the belief that exercising can worsen your endometriosis, it helps. Mild and regular workouts can help you cope with the pain and discomfort of endometriosis. This is mainly because it helps boost blood flow while reducing estrogen production.
Studies have shown that you must indulge in high-intensity physical activity for long-term management of endometriosis. This is because women who indulge in high-intensity workout are 65% less likely to get endometriosis than women who don't
You must indulge in high-intensity exercises such as biking, running and swimming. You can also indulge in low-intensity exercises such as yoga or stretches to strengthen your muscles. These exercises can also play an important role in pelvic pain management.
3. Stay Hydrated
Isn't this obvious? Staying hydrated is the key to overcoming endometriosis. It is essential to stay hydrated, primarily to manage your endometriosis.
Women with endometriosis should prefer drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. Eight glasses of water softens your bowel, thereby promoting easy movement.
You should consider contacting your doctor about how much water you need. Your prime goal should be to be sufficiently hydrated, not too much or too little. Therefore, an expert doctor can only guide you on how much water you should drink.
4. Manage Stress
Stress is one of the leading factors for the worsening symptoms of endometriosis, which is why many doctors recommend alternative therapies. A lot of women have claimed to be relieved upon using these alternative therapies for endometriosis pain management.
Some of the most potential ways to manage stress include the following:
[ Acupuncture ]
Acupuncture can be helpful for women who have endometriosis, significantly to relieve pain. It has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps with pain management. Acupuncture as a treatment is the most effective for younger women.
[ Chinese Herbal Medicines ]
Chinese herbal medicines have been used for centuries for various reasons and can be extremely helpful. You can either consume them orally or inject them. Not only do these medicines help to lower pain, but they also increase your fertility, thereby preventing the risk of endometriosis. Furthermore, Chinese herbal medicines have an anti-inflammatory impact on the endometrial cells.
[ Vitamins and Dietary Supplements ]
You may have endometriosis because of the lack of vitamin D in your body. Many other women suffer from this because of the lack of vitamin A, vitamin C and even beta-carotene. It is advisable to naturally opt for ways to positively impact your body, especially in increasing these. You may also take a few supplements to manage pain and reduce stress.
[ OMT ]
OMT or osteopathic manipulative treatment can help to relieve pain by using manipulation techniques like resistance, gentle pressure and stretching. It also plays a vital role in increasing mobility and promoting overall healing. Using OMT is also said to ease menstrual pain.
5. Medicines
There are different medicines for treating endometriosis, and it is always advisable to seek medical attention. As doctors, we can help you understand the benefits and drawbacks of each before including it in your diet. The doctors can consider your age and symptoms before prescribing the medicines.
The medicines that are usually advised include the following:
[ Hormone Therapy ]
Hormonal therapy helps to slow the growth of endometrial tissue and prevent the growth of new ones. Furthermore, it will also help in reducing any pain due to endometriosis.
[ Over-the-counter Medicines ]
OTC medicines are usually beneficial for reducing pain. Since endometriosis can often get painful, doctors may suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines. Before including any drugs in the schedule, it is essential to consult the doctor.
6. Undergo a Surgery
Surgery can be a long-term relief, especially to overcome endometriosis. Well, the only condition is to visit professionals like Dr Pankhuri Gautam. Depending on the stage or condition of your endometriosis, the most preferred treatment method will be offered.
We recommend you undergo laparoscopy for endometriosis for faster relief. The endometriosis surgery isn't a major surgery and can offer more immediate relief. However, there would be smaller incisions. It is a manageable condition, and we can recommend the best solutions only upon proper physical examination.
7. Schedule Regular Doctor Visits for Health Updates
No matter which stage of endometriosis you're suffering from, it is always a good idea to stay updated about your health. Thus, we recommend you schedule regular visits with us for your health update. In the initial stages, we suggest you undergo biweekly visits for endometriosis treatment, and gradually, the number of visits can be reduced.
Final Words
Endometriosis isn't a fatal condition, but it needs to be managed. Why? Because it is not entirely curable. If you're not taking care of it in time, endometriosis can also pose a risk of infertility. We can conduct a physical examination to understand your condition and suggest better treatment. When you opt for long-term strategies, management becomes easier, and recovery becomes slightly faster. If you need more information about your condition, contact us today!