During a physical exam, your doctor will look at : That being said, a physical exam as well as sharing a thorough patient and family history with your gynecologist are important to help determine whether or not a laparoscopic procedure is appropriate. The best way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is through a laparoscopic procedure in which a surgeon can physically see the endometrial tissue present outside the uterus. This delay is at least partially due to the fact that symptoms of endometriosis overlap with so many other conditions.įurthermore, there’s no biomarker test to determine a diagnosis. The average delay from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is between four and 11 years. Like so many chronic conditions, diagnosis of endometriosis can take some time. Other factors that may increase your risk include beginning menses younger than the age of 12, menstrual cycles shorter than 26 days, heavy menstrual bleeding, chemical exposure, and high red-meat intake. Oxidative stress and the resulting free-radical damage, inflammation, having high estrogen and/or low progesterone, genetics, epigenetics, and environment factors all appear to play a role in the development of endometriosis. Prior surgery, such as cesarean section or laparoscopy, may cause endometriosis that’s lodged in the abdominal wall. What Causes Endometriosis ?Įndometriosis is thought to be caused by the backward movement of menstrual flow (staying inside and moving around, rather than exiting through the vagina), but a number of other complex theories may explain certain types as well. Other common symptoms of endometriosis may include :Ībdominal bloating and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are also highly prevalent in endometriosis patients, but these symptoms are underrepresented in the literature. Įndometriosis affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age, and the most common symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. But this tissue may also implant in the fallopian tubes, uterosacral ligaments, the gastrointestinal tract, the urinary system (ureter, bladder, urethra), and less often in pleura (tissue that covers the lungs and lines the chest cavity), pericardium (the sac that surrounds the heart), or the central nervous system. Most commonly, “rogue” endometrial-like tissue will implant in the ovaries and cause blood-filled cysts, which can be extremely painful. This tissue (called endometrium) is the substance that sheds from inside your uterus and flows out of the vagina during menstruation. Understanding EndometriosisĮndometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus implants outside of the uterus. Let’s take a look at what the research says about how endometriosis patients who experience “endo-belly” or other digestive symptoms might be able to get some relief. Understanding the risk factors and causes that overlap between the gut and the endometrium may help you devise a plan of action to address endometriosis bloating. So it makes sense that gut health and endometriosis would be tied together. The link between hormonal health and gut health is well-established, and we know that endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent condition. Between 81% and 96% of women with endometriosis experience bloating. While bloating isn’t always talked about, it is a common symptom. How to Address Endometriosis Bloating |Įndometriosis bloating, sometimes referred to as “endo-belly,” is an underappreciated and underrecognized symptom of endometriosis, and its cause is poorly understood.Unpack the Links Between Endometriosis and Gut Health His work has been published in peer-reviewed medical journals and he speaks at conferences around the globe. Michael Ruscio, DC is a clinician, Naturopathic Practitioner, clinical researcher, author, and adjunct professor at the University of Bridgeport.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |