Endometrioza: nasveti TKM glede življenjskega sloga in prehrane

Tradicionalna kitajska medicina poseduje edinstveno teorijo in perspektivo glede zdravja, s čimer prinaša nov vpogled v sodobne zahteve po zdravem življenjskem slogu. Danes bomo z vami delili naš pogled in koristne nasvete za endometriozo (in prav tako za bolečine zaradi menstruacije).

Endometrioza je kronično in napredujoče stanje, kjer zunaj maternice najdemo rastoče endometriozno tkivo. Ocena pravi, da za tem stanjem trpi najmanj ena izmed desetih žensk. Glavni simptom je bolečina v predelu medenice, kjer se 70 % le-te pojavi med menstruacijo, prav tako pa je pogosto prisotna med spolnimi odnosi. Kar se tiče neplodnosti, se pojavi pri do 50 % žensk z endometriozo. [Preberi več: Žensko zdravje]

Znanstvenih vzrokov za endometriozo ne poznamo. Je dedno stanje, na katerega vplivajo tako genetski kot okoljski dejavniki. Hčere ali sestre žensk z endometriozo so izpostavljene višjemu tveganju za razvoj tega stanja. Dejavniki, za katere domnevajo, da k temu bistveno prispevajo, so rojevanje otrok pri višji starosti, visok vnos alkohola in kronična izpostavljenost višji stopnji stresa.

Kitajska medicina smatra endometriozo in katerokoli menstrualno bolečino kot stagnacijo menstrualnega toka. To obravnavamo kot ‘stagnacijo krvi’, ki jo povzročijo:

• nezadostna krvna energija. Tako kot reka, če ni zadosti vode, lahko postane tok šibkejši.

• hladna blokada. Prevelika izpostavljenost hladnemu skozi prehrano ali zaradi okolja. [Preberi več: Zimski solsticij: razumevanje in zdravstveni nasveti]

• stagnacija qija. Pojavi se na dva načina: 1) Stres lahko telo pretirano stimulira, kar povzroči, da je preveč qi energije na napačnem mestu ali 2) qi energije ni dovolj zaradi slabe prehrane ali pretiranega izčrpanja v obliki izgorelosti. [Preberi več: Pomanjkanje Qi energije: kaj to je in kako jo obvladati?]

• kopičenje vlažnosti. Običajno je to rezultat slabe prebave in napačne izbire živil. Ko nimamo sposobnosti, da bi zaužito hrano primerno presnavljali, se ta kopiči v obliki vlažnosti, ki blokira pretok Qi energije in krvi. [Preberi več: Hrano je potrebno skuhati – tradicionalna kitajska medicina pojasni prebavni sistem]

Zdravljenja kitajske medicine stremijo k ponovni vzpostavitvi pretoka Qi energije in krvi ter lajšanju bolečine, da bi izboljšala življenjsko kakovost in plodnost.

Spodaj lahko najdete seznam stvari, ki jih lahko naredite, da boste na splošno obvladali endometriozo in menstrualno bolečino.

Prehranske smernice za endometriozo

1. Živila, ki jih vključite v svojo prehrano:

• topla, lahko prebavljiva in hranljiva živila, kot so juhe, enolončnice in kostne juhe.

• Naravne maščobe in olja, ki se nahajajo v ribah in semenih.

• Polnovredna žita, kot je riž.

• Veliko zelenjave, kuhane na pari, pečene ali blago skuhane, še posebej zelje, brokoli, azijska zelenjava in zelena listnata zelenjava.

• Kakovostne, organske beljakovine, ki jih vsebujejo jajca, ribe in piščanec.

• Omejena količina rdečega mesa. Prava količina rdečega mesa pomaga pri negovanju krvne energije, vendar lahko prekomerno uživanje zamaši kri. Poskusite jesti le količino mesa v velikosti vaše dlani. Na splošno naj bi rdeče meso zavzemalo 10-20 % vaše prehrane.

2. Hrana, kateri se izogibajte, saj povzroča blokado energije ali vnetje:

• surova, mrzla ali zamrznjena hrana

• mlečni izdelki

• kofein

• živila z veliko sladkorja, kot so čokoladni namaz, smetana, sadni sokovi

• alkohol

• umetna živila in ostali aditivi

[Preberite več o zdravi prehrani v TKM] [Preberi več: Kako ublažiti in preprečiti vnetje]

Nasveti glede življenjskega sloga za endometriozo

• pustite, da menstrualna kri teče ven. Brez tamponov in spolnih odnosov med menstruacijo.

• Ostanite topli. Mraz oža žile in upočasni krvni pretok. Da bi ostali primerno topli, morate poskrbeti, da so stopala, hrbet in trebuh dobro pokriti. To je vedno pomembno, ne le med menstruacijo. [Preberi več: TKM zdravljenje hladnih rok in stopal]

• Izogibajte se gibanju na prostem, ko je vetrovno, in nosite šal, da si zavarujete vrat. Nikoli ne hodite ven z mokrimi lasmi.

• Počivajte ob dnevih z bolečinami. Izogibajte se naporni vadbi ali napornim dnevom, vendarle se le sprehodite, če se lahko. Nekaterim ženskam to pomaga pri lajšanju bolečin.

• Okrepite svoje telo s predpisanimi in individualno prilagojenimi zeliščnimi mešanicami.

• Segrejte svoj trebuh s termoforjem.

• Za gladek energijski pretok redno hodite na akupunkturo.

• Izogibajte se plavanju med menstruacijo (hladnost in vlažnost lahko napadeta meridian, to pa povzroči blokado energije).

• Naredite si nožno kopel z morsko soljo. Za tiste, ki imate šibek in oviran menstrualni tok, lahko prav tako naredite nožno kopel z navadnim pelinom 3 dni pred pričakovanim datumom prvega dne menstruacije.

Upamo, da so bili ti nasveti za vas koristni. Vabimo vas, da ji delite in predate ostalim ženskam, ki jih poznate. V primeru kakršnihkoli vprašanj, prosimo ne oklevajte in nas kontaktirajte.

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TCM Lifestyle and Diet Tips for Endometriosis

Traditional Chinese medicine has a unique theory and perspective for health and therefore brings a new insight for the modern demand of healthy lifestyle. Today we are going to share our views and useful tips for endometriosis (as well as menstrual pain).

Endometriosis is a chronic, progressive condition where endometrial tissue is found growing outside of the uterus. It is estimated that as many as one in ten women are affected by it. The main symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. Nearly half of those affected have chronic pelvic pain, while in 70% pain occurs during menstruation. Pain during sexual intercourse is also common. Infertility occurs in up to half of women affected. [Read more: Women's health]

There is no known scientific cause of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a heritable condition that is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Daughters or sisters of women with endometriosis are at higher risk of developing endometriosis themselves. Having children later in life, high consumption of alcohol, and chronically high stress levels are all thought to be contributing factors.

Chinese Medicine considers endometriosis, and any menstrual pain, to be a stagnation of menstrual flow. It is regarded as “Blood Stagnation” which is caused by:

• insufficient of Blood energy. Just like a river, if there is not enough water, the water flow could get weak.

• Cold blockage. Overexposure to cold through diet or the environment. [Read more: Winter solstice: Insights and healthcare tips]

• Stagnation of Qi. It comes in two ways: 1) Stress could overstimulate the body causing too much Qi in the wrong place or 2) Qi is insufficient due to poor diet or over exhaustion like a burnout. [Read more: Qi deficiency: What is it and how do you manage it?]

• Damp accumulation. This usually result from poor digestion and wrong food choices. When we are unable to metabolize our food properly it accumulates as Dampness blocking Qi and Blood flow. [Read more: Cook your food - digestive system explained in Traditional Chinese medicine]

Chinese Medicine treatments aim to re-establish Qi and Blood flow and reduce pain to improve quality of life and increase fertility.

Below is a list of things that you can do to manage endometriosis and menstrual pain in general.

Endometriosis dietary guidelines

1. Foods to include:

• warm, easy to digest, nourishing foods such as soups, stews, and bone broth.

• natural fat and oil found in fish and seeds.

• whole grains including rice.

• lots of steamed, roasted or lightly cooked veggies, especially cabbage, broccoli, Asian greens and green leafy veg.

• quality, organic protein including eggs, fish, and chicken.

• limited amount of red meat. The right amount of red meat helps to nourish our blood energy but overconsumption could congest the blood. Try not to eat over a size of your palm amount of meat each day. In general, red meat should only account for 10-20% of your portion of meal.

2. Food to avoid as they tend to cause blockage of energy or inflammation:

• raw, cold, or frozen food

• dairy products

• caffeine

• heavy sugar like chocolate spread, cream, fruit juices

• alcohol

• artificial food or other additives

[Read more about TCM Dietary advice] [Read more: How to Reduce and Prevent Inflammation]

Lifestyle tips for endometriosis

• Let the menstrual blood flow out. No tampons, no intercourse during menstruation.

• Stay warm. Cold constricts the blood vessels and slows down the blood flow. To stay properly warm you need to keep the feet, back and belly well covered. This is important throughout the whole time, but especially during menstruation. [Read more: TCM Treatment For Cold Hand And Feet]

• Avoid going out in the wind and wear a scarf to protect your neck, never go out with wet hair.

• Rest on days of pain. Avoid strenuous exercise or demanding days but do go for a gentle walk if you can. It can help relieve pain for some women.

• Nourish your body with a prescribed and personalized herbal mixture.

• Warm up your belly with a hot water bag.

• Perform regular acupuncture sessions to keep the smooth energy flow.

• Avoid swimming during menstruation (the coldness and dampness could attack the meridian causing blockage of energy).

• Take warm foot bath with sea salt. For those who have weak and unsmooth blood flow during menstruation, you can also use Chinese mugwort foot bath 3 days before your expected date of menstruation.
  

We hope you’ve found these tips useful. Please feel free to share and pass them on to the women in your life. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to contact us.