Endometriosis: A comparison of the Allopathic and Ayurvedic models of the disease and its treatment (by Daya Deyhim C. A. S)Introduction. Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. The name comes from the word “endometrium” which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus and is built up and sloughed off each month during the menstrual cycle. Learn about Endometriosis, symptoms, causes, risks, diagnosis, how it can affect infertility, stages of the condition, and treatment options. Back to TopTreatment. The goal of treatment is to relieve the blockage. Stones may be removed using an endoscope during an ERCP. In some cases, surgery is required to. In endometriosis, such tissue is found outside the uterus and in these areas, the endometrial tissue develops into what are called growths, implants, nodules, lesions or tumors(1). The most common locations of endometrial growths are in the abdomen involving the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus, the bladder and the lining of the pelvic cavity (1). Sometimes the growths are also found on the intestines, in the rectum or the rectovaginal septum, the vagina, cervix or vulva. Endometrial growths have also been found outside the abdomen in lungs, arms, and thighs however, these locations are uncommon (1). Endometrial growths are generally not malignant; they are a normal tissue growing outside the normal location (1). Like the lining of the uterus, endometrial growths respond to the hormones of the female reproductive system. They build up tissue each month, then break down and cause bleeding. However, unlike the lining of the uterus, the endometrial growths outside the uterus have no way of leaving the body. The result is internal bleeding, inflammation and scarring (1). The most serious consequence of this scarring is infertility (1). Other complications can include rupture of growths, which may spread these cells to other areas. Endometrial lesions first appear as clear vesicles, then become red, and then progress to black over a period of 7- 1. Clear lesions are seen at an average age of 2. This relationship between age and color of lesions confirms the progressive nature of the disease. In 4. 7- 6. 4% of women, this disease will progress without therapy (2). The incidence of endometriosis is about 5 percent among American women, compared to less than one percent in European women (3). Symptoms The most common symptoms of endometriosis include chronic pelvic pain, pain before and during periods, painful intercourse, heavy or irregular bleeding, repeated miscarriages and infertility (4). Other symptoms may include painful urination or bowel movements, back pain and intestinal upset with periods. Infertility affects 3. Some women with endometriosis have no symptoms even in the more advanced stages of the disease. However, pain during or around the time of the period is experienced by most women affected (2). This pain which interferes in some way with all activities of daily living can be excruciating at times (5). In a recent German survey, of the 2. In another study, the pain was found to interfere with sleep in 7. It is interesting to note that the amount of pain experienced is not necessarily proportional to the extent of the disease or size of the growth. Small growths called “petechial” have been found to be more active in producing prostaglandins which explains the severity of the symptoms that occur with small growths (6). Prostaglandins are involved in the normal shedding of the endometrial lining during menstruation and can contribute to pain, cramping, and digestive disturbances of dysmenorrheal (1). Etiology The cause of endometriosis is not known. Endometriosis natural treatment, herbs, vitamin, supplements food and diet - Chinese herbal therapy September 6 2016 by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Women with endometriosis are not getting diagnosed quickly enough and treatment is "unacceptable", say MPs. The condition affects one in 10 women and can cause. Endometriosis: A comparison of the Allopathic and Ayurvedic models of the disease and its treatment (by Daya Deyhim C.A.S). A number of theories have tried to explain the causative factors of this disease, however none can account for all the cases. The most common theory is the “retrograde menstruation” also called the “trans- tubal migration” theory (1). This theory suggests that during menstruation some of the blood and endometrial tissue backs up into the fallopian tubes, implants in the abdomen, and grows. In other words, the blood backs up instead of exiting through the vagina and the endometrial cells present attach to the nearby pelvic organs and begin to grow (1). Some of the experts on endometriosis believe that all women experience some menstrual tissue back up however, not all women develop the disease. It is believed that an immune or a hormonal problem allows this tissue to take root and grow in women who develop endometriosis (7). Retrograde menstruation may involve an increase in estrogen or an increased sensitivity to estrogen (7). Another theory suggests that the endometrial tissue is distributed from the uterus to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system or the blood (7). This theory is supported by some rare cases were endometrial tissue has been found in such distant areas as the lungs and the retina. Another group of researchers cite the same evidence to suggest that remnants of embryonic tissue, from when the woman was an embryo, may later develop into endometriosis in different parts of the body (7). There are also a number of other theories which suggest that the disease may begin before the woman is born (8). Those who subscribe to this theory are of two slightly different opinions. One group believes that portions of adult tissue may retain the ability they had in the embryonic stage, to transform into reproductive tissue under certain circumstances (8). Others suggest that during the embryonic stage, the endometrial cells may develop in the wrong location, giving rise to endometriosis during the woman's reproductive years. In both cases, researchers believe that the influx of reproductive hormones which begins with the onset of puberty, create conditions that triggers this transformation (8). The cause of endometriosis remains a mystery. Some clues point to an excess of estrogen (1,8). The North American women who have the condition are typically between the ages 2. Both pregnancy and progesterone treatment alleviate the symptoms. Women who have not had a full- term pregnancy are more likely to have endometriosis because apparently, the longer a woman does not have a child, the more estrogen she is exposed to during her lifetime (7). Other clues indicate that endometriosis may have an autoimmune component (7). In one study, all women tested had high levels of auto antibodies which are secreted when the body mounts an immune response to its own tissue (7). These auto antibodies are responsible for the inflammatory response which causes the pain associated with endometriosis. Other risk factors for the development of endometriosis include environmental toxins and alcohol (9). In 1. 99. 4, the environmental protection agency linked endometriosis to dioxin exposure in several animal studies. Female monkeys exposed to dioxin developed endometriosis. Dioxin, a highly toxic substance, is a chemical component of some herbicides and is also a by- product of waste incineration. PCBs are a highly toxic byproducts of waste incineration. These substances are present in the food supply as contaminants and are ingested and stored in the adipose tissue (9). Other than environmental toxins, alcohol also seems to have a role in the development of endometriosis. A study found that women who drink alcohol have a 5. Diagnosis Diagnosis of endometriosis is considered uncertain until proven by laparoscopy (2). Laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure done under anesthesia in which the patient's abdomen is distended with carbon dioxide gas in order to make the organs easier to see (3). Then, a laparoscope, a small tube with a light at the tip, is inserted into a tiny incision made on abdomen. The surgeon can then move the laparoscope around the abdominal cavity and see the endometrial implants. Stage 1 or minimal disease is characterized by superficial filmy adhesions; stage 2 or mild disease has superficial and deep filmy adhesions; stage 3 or moderate disease has both filmy and dense adhesions; and stage 4 or severe disease has only dense adhesions either superficially or deep (2). It would seem that the symptoms would be sufficient to diagnose a patient with endometriosis however laparoscopy is the only conclusive method (2). This is primarily because many of the symptoms associated with endometriosis can have other causes and secondly, some of the women afflicted do not have any symptoms even in stage 4 of the disease (2). A doctor can often feel the endometrial implants during a pelvic exam but medical protocols consider it bad practice to treat this disease without confirmation of the diagnosis (2). Ovarian cancer sometimes has the same symptoms of endometriosis and treatment with hormones, particularly with estrogen, which is a common treatment for endometriosis could cause a cancer to grow faster (2). Alternative Treatment for Endometriosis - Women Living Naturally. What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. The growths are commonly referred to as . Diagnosis of endometriosis usually involves a laparoscopy, a complete medical history, a physical examination, and other tests. Endometrial implants typically inset in other parts of the reproductive tract, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the inside lining of the abdominal cavity, and the outside surfaces of the uterus or intestines. They can also occur in other parts of the body, including the liver, legs, lungs, and rarely, the brain. The implants are not malignant (cancerous), but the disease may be progressive and symptoms worsen as the patient experiences more menstrual cycles. Because they are made of the same uterine tissue that is shed during menstruation, endometrial implants also break up monthly. The result is internal bleeding, inflammation, chronic pelvic pain, and the formation of blood- filled cysts and scar tissue. Pain is the most prevalent symptom, and nearly 9. Scar tissue in the fallopian tubes can interrupt an egg’s passage, resulting in infertility. Some patients do not know they have endometriosis until they have an infertility evaluation. As many as 5. 0% of infertile women have endometriosis. About one- third of women with endometriosis do not experience symptoms. There are many medical causes of endometriosis. Any woman can experience the pain and/or infertility associated with endometrial implants. What are endometrial cells? The endometrium is the mucous surface that lines the inside of the uterus. It contains several layers of cells (i. During the luteal phase (the two- week period just before a woman bleeds), for example, the endometrium is thick, its cells are enlarged, the glands bulge, and the arteries are swollen. At menstruation, the endometrium sheds. Following menstruation, new cells grow and the endometrium regenerates. The cells that make up the endometrium normally grow only inside the uterus. Endometriosis is associated with a variety of symptoms, but there is no consistent pattern and not all women are symptomatic. The two most common symptoms are pain and infertility. Over time, depending on where the endometrial tissue has implanted, other symptoms may appear. The most common symptom is chronic pelvic pain that generally occurs just before and during menstruation and then decreases after menstruation. About 2. 5% to 6. About 2. 5% experience painful intercourse. Pelvic examinations can also be painful. Infertility is common. In fact, infertility is the most common symptom that prompts a visit to the doctor’s office for diagnosis. Endometriosis that develops in other parts of the pelvic region may result in bowel- related or urinary tract symptoms (e. If the lungs are involved, endometriosis may cause pleuritic pain (the pleura is the thin layer of tissue that coats and protects the lungs) or hemoptysis. If endometrial cells implant in the brain, the patient may experience seizures. Endometriosis may be caused by retrograde menstruation, coelomic metaplasia, and congenital factors. The immune system may allow endometrial cells to establish themselves in other parts of the body and exposure to dioxin and related environmental toxins may also play a role. Retrograde menstruation (also known as . Reverse menstruation is common, occurring in about 9. Coelomic metaplasia refers to cells that transform into endometrial cells, perhaps as a result of chronic inflammation or irritation from retrograde menstrual blood. Endometriosis may be a congenital condition (existed from birth). During fetal development, uterine tissue may remain in the pelvis and grow as a result of hormonal influence. There may also be a link between exposure to certain chemicals also known as Xenohormones and endometriosis. Research on rhesus monkeys shows a link between exposure to dioxin and endometriosis. The greater the exposure to dioxin, the more severe the endometriosis. Dioxin is a byproduct of pesticide (manufacturing and use) and bleached pulp and paper products manufacturing. The chemical can also be produced through burning of hazardous waste and can lead to Estrogen Dominance which increases the risks of developing endometriosis and once you have it making your symptoms worse. Endometriosis is usually diagnosed on the basis of a history of pelvic pain, a physical examination, and a laparoscopy. Pelvic pain is symptomatic of many disorders, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, and ectopic pregnancy. It is not definitive. Laparoscopy is the most important diagnostic tool for endometriosis. Not all women require a laparascopy, however. Patients with mild or moderate symptoms often choose natural alternative treatment. About 9. 0% of women with pelvic pain have endometriosis. Pelvic pain that is typical of endometriosis includes menstrual cramps, low back pain that worsens during menstruation, and pain in the pelvis that occurs during or after sexual intercourse. Depending on where the implants are located, a woman may feel pain in her rectum during defecation. A pelvic examination involves the physician feeling and looking for abnormalities that are associated with endometriosis. Physical findings depend on the severity and location of the condition. There may be palpable nodules or tenderness in the pelvic region, enlarged ovaries, a tipped- back (retrodisplaced or retroflexed) uterus, or lesions on the vagina or on surgical scars. A laparoscopy is an exploratory procedure that permits the physician to see inside the pelvic region to observe endometrial growths. The procedure involves making a small incision near the navel and inserting a laparascope (long, thin, lighted instrument). Usually, the endometrial implants can easily be seen. Because endometrial implants vary in appearance and can be mistaken for other conditions, the lesions usually must be surgically removed and examined under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. After laparoscopy, patients can usually resume normal activities in about a day. Endometriosis is usually not a problem as long as a woman menstruates, but treatment can relieve the pain and restore fertility. Treatment depends on whether the primary goal is to relieve pain, restore fertility, or both. Herbal medicine is the treatment of disease using medicinal plants, both internally and externally, to restore the patient back to health. It is a system of medicine that relies on the therapeutic qualities of plants to help the patient by enhancing the body’s own recuperative powers. It is a natural method of healing based on the traditional usage of herbs coupled with modern scientific developments. Though there are those in the orthodox medical world who ignore herbal medicine, even condemn it, the constituents of herbs have provided the blueprint for many of the most effective and widely known drugs used today. Orthodox medicine is based on drugs isolated from plants, or more often manufactured in the laboratory. The herbalist advocates the use of the whole plant as a gentler and safer way to restoring a women to health. For the treatment of Endometriosis, one of the first tasks in herbal medicine is to try and re- balance the hormone levels in the body. Then other herbs will be introduced to strengthen the immune system so that the body can then begin to eliminate the disease. As with other alternative treatments, using herbal medicine for Endometriosis will involve a time commitment to achieve success. Frequently Asked Questions- Endometriosis. What is Endometriosis? What are the symptoms of endometriosis. How would I know if I have endometriosis? What causes endometriosis? How common is endometriosis? Is there any age group which is more prone to endometriosis? Is endometriosis based on a genetic or familial factor? Is it true that intercourse during the menstrual cycle increases the risk of endometriosis? Why does endometriosis seem to be discussed more in recent years? Is it true that endometriosis is more common in some races? Is there a characteristic menstrual cycle of the woman who has endometriosis? If I put off having children until my 3. I have a greater chance of getting endometriosis? Also, is there any truth to the belief that delayed childbirth can lead to endometriosis? Do you see endometriosis after menopause? Is endometriosis a disease of modern times? Natural Alternatives for Endometriosis. Bioidentical Progesterone Cream (Progensa 2. Since we know that estrogen initiates endometrial cell proliferation and the formation of blood vessels accumulation in the endometrium, the aim of treatment is to block this monthly estrogen stimulus to the aberrant endometrial islets. Bioidentical Progesterone stops further proliferation of endometrial cells. Herbal Formula (Pro. Soothe)Pro. Soothe is an all natural herbal formula that significantly improves uterine fibroids and pelvic pain/cramps, irritability, tension, mood swings, acne, headaches, breast pain, bloating and weight gain. Also found in this synergistic herbal formula is dandelion and vitex,(chaste tree) that helps the body remove exogenous,(external excess estrogen)from hormone therapy or contaminated food,(xenosteroids). With time the monthly pains gradually subside as monthly bleeding in these islets becomes less, and healing of the inflammatory sites occurs. Evening Primrose Oil. Evening primrose oil (EPO) contains gamma- linolenic acid which is an omega- 6 fatty acid. Omega- 6 fatty acids decrease inflammation which helps with aberrant endometrial islets which respond monthly to the hormonal changes and become inflamed and shed like normal menstrual tissue. Recommended Herbs. Endometriosis- Condition Treatments.
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