Endometrioma

What is ENDOMETRIOMA?

According to MedicineNet.com part of the condition known as endometriosis. Endometrioma is a type of cyst formed when endometrial tissue (the mucous membrane that makes up the inner layer of the uterine wall) grows in the ovaries. It affects women during the reproductive years and may cause chronic pelvic pain associated with menstruation.

According to Wikipedia An endometrioma, endometrioid cyst, endometrial cyst, or chocolate cyst is caused by endometriosis, and formed when a tiny patch of endometrial tissue (the mucous membrane that makes up the inner layer of the uterine wall) bleeds, sloughs off, becomes transplanted, and grows and enlarges inside the ovaries.

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial glands and tissue outside the uterus.

Women with endometriosis may have problems with fertility.

Endometrioid cysts, often filled with dark, reddish-brown blood, may range in size from 0.75-8 inches.

Endometrioma is also referred to as an endometrioid cyst.

These are some of the symptoms:

Some or all of the following symptoms may be present, though it is possible not to experience any symptoms:

• Dull aching, or severe, sudden, and sharp pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen (one or both sides), pelvis, vagina, lower back, or thighs; pain may be constant or intermittent—this is the most common symptom
• Fullness, heaviness, pressure, swelling, or bloating in the abdomen
• Breast tenderness
• Pain during or shortly after beginning or end of menstrual period.
• Irregular periods, or abnormal uterine bleeding or spotting
• Change in frequency or ease of urination (such as inability to fully empty the bladder), or difficulty with bowel movements due to pressure on adjacent pelvic anatomy
• Weight gain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue
• Infertility
• Increased level of hair growth
• Increased facial hair or body hair
• Headaches
• Strange pains in ribs, which feel muscular
• Bloating
• Strange nodules that feel like bruises under the layer of skin

Treatment

About 95% of ovarian cysts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous.

Treatment depends on the size of the cyst and symptoms.

The pain may be treated with:

• pain relievers, including acetaminophen/paracetamol (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), or narcotic pain medicine (by prescription) may help reduce pelvic pain. NSAIDs usually work best when taken at the first signs of the pain.

• a warm bath, or heating pad, or hot water bottle applied to the lower abdomen near the ovaries can relax tense muscles and relieve cramping, lessen discomfort, and stimulate circulation and healing in the ovaries. Bags of ice covered with towels can be used alternately as cold treatments to increase local circulation.

• combined methods of hormonal contraception such as the combined oral contraceptive pill – the hormones in the pills may regulate the menstrual cycle, prevent the formation of follicles that can turn into cysts, and possibly shrink an existing cyst. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1999c; Mayo Clinic, 2002e)

Also, limiting strenuous activity may reduce the risk of cyst rupture or torsion.

Cysts that persist beyond two or three menstrual cycles, or occur in post-menopausal women, may indicate more serious disease and should be investigated through ultrasonography and laparoscopy, especially in cases where family members have had ovarian cancer. Such cysts may require surgical biopsy. Additionally, a blood test may be taken before surgery to check for elevated CA-125, a tumor marker, which is often found in increased levels in ovarian cancer, although it can also be elevated by other conditions resulting in a large number of false positives.

For more serious cases where cysts are large and persisting, doctors may suggest surgery. Some surgeries can be performed to successfully remove the cyst(s) without hurting the ovaries, while others may require removal of one or both ovaries.

When you are being diagnosed to have endometrioma and the doctor advised you for it to be removed, what will you do? Well...the doctor knows best..

FOOD FOR THE BRAIN SERIES - PART 2

KEY NUTRIENTS

These nutrients are vital in building brain power and maintaining good physical and mental health.

Water

It makes up 83% of blood. It's role as transport system deliver nutrients to our brain and carry away waste products. We need a good supply of clean water for concentration and alertness

Proteins

They provide the structural building materials for most of our bodies' tissues, nerves and internal organs (including our heart and brain). They are also used to manufacture neurotransmitters as well as to build and maintain the nerve network. Proteins are essential for improving mental functions and lifting spirits.

Carbohydrates

Most people when they are on an extreme regime to lose weight often neglected and cut off carbohydrates in their diet. Carbohydrates are extremely important. They are found in grains, fruits and vegetables and being break down into a sugar called glucose through digestion. If the level of glucose fluctuate too much it may cause mental confusion, dizziness, convulsions and loss of consciousness.

Fats

Three types of fat are found in food - saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. "Essential fatty acids" is the term that refers to 2 specific polyunsaturated fats; 1) omega-6; and 2) omega-3. These special fats can increase brain size and brain cell numbers, improve vision and aid learning. They are found in salmon, mackerel, sardines, nuts and seeds.

Vitamins and minerals

These two are components of food that is vital for the growth and function of the brain and body. A diverse diet helps provide all these key nutrients. Below are the vitamins and minerals' functions to the brain:

B complex (essentially important to the brain) - producing energy

Vitamins A, C, E (powerful antioxidants) - promoting and preserving memory in the elderly

Minerals - preserving the vigour of the brain

Magnesium & manganese - brain energy

Sodium, potassium & calcium - important in nerve cell communication, facilitating the transmission of messages.

FOOD FOR THE BRAIN SERIES - PART 1

AN INTRODUCTION

I bought a book by Lorraine Perretta on my last week visit to my favourite bookshop. "Brain Food", the title attracted my attention, after flipping through some pages of the book, the content plus some recipes included in the book, I bought the book to learn more and absorb the juicy information provided in the book.

Let me share what's written in the book, part by part with you.

As we know, our brain is the most important part of our body. And of course, it is the body's most complex organ. Our brain, not only is it the organ of thought, speech and emotion, it is so important for us to really look after the well being of our brain since it is controlling everything that make our body functions.

"Healthy Mind comes from a Healthy Body". This tag is mostly uttered by us, BUT, do we really look after our mind?..in specific term..do we really look after our BRAIN. In what way, should we look after our brain? Is it really been feed up and nurtured with good things?..Physically, what kind of food is good for the brain?

Our brain has an extensive blood supply. Costant flow of blood carrying important neuro-nutrients, such as ammino acids, vitamins and minerals, together with oxygens and glucose provide energy for the brain. Any interruption in the blood flow can impair brain function. Good circulation and strong, healthy blood vessels are extremely important for keeping the brain well fed. The essential nutrients and some mood elevating substances enter our brain through the kind of food that we take, yet, at the same time other chemicals with less beneficial effects like alcohol and nicotine are also being absorbed each time we consume them. Thus, it is on our own choice to decide, on the kind of food we want to take to have a healthy brain.