Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, ARNP, EdD
Endometriosis occurs when cells lining the inside of uterus grow abnormally in the abdominal cavity. This can lead to an enlarged uterus. This article examines self-care measures for endometriosis.
Nutrition for Endometriosis
What you eat if you have endometriosis is very important. Especially suspect foods are all dairy products, sugar, processed foods and alcohol.
* Move toward eating a diet consisting of 50 percent raw organic vegetables and fruits. Eat only whole-grain cereals, breads and pastas, and raw nuts and seeds.
* Eliminate sugar and sugary foods, alcohol, caffeine, dairy products, fried foods, foods that contain additives, all hardened fats, junk foods, fast foods, red meats, poultry (unless organically raised and skinless), refined and processed foods, salt, and shellfish.
* If you have heavy monthly bleeding due to endometriosis, sprinkle your food with kelp (health food store item) to help restore the iron you've lost. (You can also cook in iron pots and eat lots of beets, kidney beans, and blackstrap molasses (1 tablespoon every day will provide iron and energy).
* Eat foods high in vitamin K to help with normal blood clotting, including wheat germ, alfalfa sprouts, raw spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, and baked or steamed potatoes, carrots and peas.
* Eat foods high in vitamin E and the B-vitamins to provide energy, balance hormones, relieve stress, and promote blood cell productivity. Eat at least several of these foods daily: sunflower seeds, wheat germ, whole wheat bread and cereals, rolled oats, asparagus, brown rice, raisins, lima beans, soy burgers, tempeh, salmon, prunes, lentils, peanuts, tuna, white beans, bananas, walnuts, sweet potatoes, sardines, herring, trout, mackerel.
* Use powdered garlic in cooking. It has antibiotic and antitumor properties.
Exercise
Studies have shown that women who report frequent, high-intensity exercise can reduce their risk of endometriosis by 76%! Low intensity, and low frequency exercise doesn't work. Find a trainer or exercise program to develop a program that suits you or join in the early morning workout on Lifetime TV. Start slowly and build up to a high intensity, but not high impact, workout. Walking, biking, aerobics, weight lifting are some examples, depending on your interests and body.
Castor Oil Packs
Christianne Northrup, M.D. Suggests using castor oil hot packs to the lower abdomen at least three times a week for one hour each time to soothe the discomfort of endometriosis.
Your thoughts and feelings influence your endometriosis
Scientists have shown there is an intimate connection between your thoughts, emotions and immunity. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, but it may be an auto-immune condition, in which the body makes antibodies against its own tissues. In this sense, it cannot be cured by conventional medicine. The immune system is highly sensitive and its success is based upon its ability to distinguish self from non-self. You can turn this around by helping your immune system carry messages from your mind to help yourself heal.
Find a quiet spot where you won't be interrupted, get into a comfortable position and ask yourself these questions and jot down your answers. It might be preferable to start a journal and write about these issues until you have clarity and a plan in mind.
* What needs do I have that aren't being fulfilled?
* What do I need to do to start getting them met?
* What would you like to see happen in your life that would nourish you more
fully?
* How can you make that happen?
* Am I getting enough rest?
* How can I get more rest if I need to?
* Do I feel frustrated, disappointed or insecure about anything?
* How can I let those feelings go and begin to replace them with calm, joy and
confidence?
* Do I need to feel more fulfilled?
* How can I fill myself up when others don't meet my needs?
Negative thoughts abound. Put some positive ideas in your mind that can help heal you. Here are some affirmations to write, read, think and speak daily. Choose the ones that resonate with you and place them on 3X5 cards in prominent places in your environment where you'll read and be influenced by them.
*I am capable of healing myself.
*I am strong.
*I am desirable.
*I love myself.
*I am fulfilled.
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Sources:
Clark, CC.(1996). Vitamin and mineral functions, deficiencies, symptoms and food sources. Wellness Practitioner. New York: Springer, pp. 105-116.
Dhillon, P.K., Holt, V.L. (2003). Recreation physical activity and endometrioma risk. Am J. Epidemiol. July 15, 156-64.
Fugh-Berman, A., Kronenberg, F. (2003). Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in reproductive-age women: a review of randomized controlled trials. Reprod Toxicol March, 137-52.
Grodstein, F., Goldman, M.B., Cramer, D.W. (1994). Infertility in women and moderate alcohol use. Am J. Public Health, September, 1429-32.
Northrup, C. (1994). Uterus. Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom. New York: Bantam, p. 166.
This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult your health care practitioner.
