July is fibroid awareness month. This initiative was created to bring attention to uterine fibroids. Fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus often appearing during childbearing years. They affect 70-80% of all women between the ages of 35 and 54. Those numbers are even higher among Black women at a staggering 80% by the time they are 50 compared to 70% of white women.
Fibroids can cause a variety of symptoms from pain, fatigue, infertility, and miscarriages. While some women don’t experience any symptoms, many do. Some of the more common life-interrupting symptoms include:
Painful periods, including heavy or inconsistent menstrual bleeding
Debilitating cramps, pelvic pain, and pressure
Pain during sex
Fatigue and weakness
Bloating or swelling in the lower abdomen
Back or leg pain
Bowel or bladder dysfunction
Constipation, diarrhea, and rectum discomfort
For years the standard method of care the fibroids has included surgical procedures such as hysterectomy and myomectomy. Hysterectomies removes all or part of a woman’s uterus and in some cases the fallopian tubes and ovaries. A myomectomy removes only the symptom-causing fibroids to preserve the uterus. There is one other treatment that is not as invasive called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE). UFE is a low-risk procedure for fibroid treatment. Rather than removing the fibroid UFE uses interventional radiology and tiny particles to non-invasively block the blood flow to uterine fibroids causing them to shrink and die.
**The above information was taken from fibroidfree.com.
Most of you already know that good nutrition and physical activity help you maintain good health. The same is true for the support of Fibroids. From healthline.com, your daily diet is a very important factor in treating fibroids.
Foods to avoid
According to clinical studies, eating too much red meat increases your risk of uterine fibroids. Drinking alcohol also increases your risk.
Eating excess refined carbohydrates and sugary foods may trigger or worsen fibroids. These foods raise blood sugar levels. This causes your body to produce too much insulin hormone.
Avoid or restrict simple refined carbohydrates like:
white rice, pasta, and flour
soda and other sugary drinks
corn syrup
boxed cereals
baked goods (cakes, cookies, doughnuts)
potato chips
crackers
Foods to eat
Fiber-rich unprocessed foods help:
curb your appetite
balance hormones
prevent excess weight gain
Brightly colored foods such as fruits and vegetables also help reduce inflammation and lower your risk for fibroids. Add these whole foods to your daily diet:
raw and cooked vegetables and fruit
dried fruit
whole grains
lentils and beans
whole grain bread and pasta
fresh and dried herbs
In conclusion, if you have the symptoms of Fibroids, please consult your physician. Also, consider modifying your diet by removing or adding accordingly.
Teresa
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