Ovarian Cysts- Natural and herbal remedies for the treatment of ovarian cysts.

Ovarian Cysts

Natural and herbal remedies for the treatment of ovarian cysts.

What are Ovarian Cysts?

What Causes Ovarian Cysts?

Diagnosing Ovarian Cysts

Help for Ovarian Cysts

More Information on Ovarian Cysts

What are Ovarian Cysts?

Ovarian cysts (also called growths) are fluid-filled sac-like structures that can form in, on or near the ovaries. They commonly affect women in their reproductive years, particularly between the ages of 20 and 35. Women who suffer from endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease or bulimia and take the epilepsy drug, Valporate tend to be more susceptible to ovarian cysts.

There are two walnut-sized organs called ovaries found on either side of the uterus, under the fallopian or uterine tubes. Every month, women of reproductive age produce a small cyst known as a follicle. A follicle is the normal fluid-filled sac that contains an egg that is released during ovulation around day 14 of the menstrual cycle.

What Causes Ovarian Cysts?

The cause of ovarian cysts is related to the type of cyst. There are three types of ovarian cysts and these include:

Functional cysts are the most common. They are related to variations in the normal functioning of the ovaries – they will form when an egg tries to release as it should during normal ovulation. They seldom secrete hormones and last between 4 to 6 weeks.

Follicular and corpus luteum cysts develop from a growth of a follicle of the ovary which grows larger than normal in some cycles and fills with fluid – it does not open to release the egg. 

A corpus luteum cyst is characterized by a yellow mass of tissue that forms from the follicle after ovulation. These cysts are generally harmless and seldom cause pain. They tend to disappear on their own after two or three menstrual cycles, and are associated with normal ovarian function.

Abnormal cysts or neoplastic cysts develop as a result of cell growth. In most cases, they are benign and very rarely become cancerous. There are two types of abnormal cysts – dermoid and polycystic cysts.

Dermoid cysts occur when the tissues of the ovary grow abnormally to form other body tissues such as hair, teeth, fatty material, bone or cartilage.

Polycystic cysts develop as a result of a buildup of multiple small cysts which causes hormonal imbalances such as excessive body hair, thinning scalp hair, irregular periods, obesity and infertility. These cysts also increases your risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and uterine or breast cancer.

Most ovarian cysts are harmless and often symptoms do not even occur. Some types of ovarian cysts can lead to serious health problems. Ovarian cysts can cause severe and sudden pain as a result of bleeding into the cyst, rapid growth and stretching, rupture or twisting of the cyst. Although these cysts can become cancerous, it occurs very rarely and if detected early, is easily treatable.

Very often, cysts cause no symptoms and are thus never noticed at all. It is important to be aware of any changes in your body or any other symptoms that may occur. Sometimes symptoms are similar to other conditions such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease or ovarian cancer.

Diagnosing Ovarian Cysts

The diagnoses of ovarian cysts are based on the symptoms, a review of your medical history, a physical examination as well as pelvic exam. Certain tests such as positive pregnancy test, ultrasound, computerized axial tomography (CAT-scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scanning), laparoscopy or CA 125 blood test may be performed.

The most common symptoms and signs that may occur include:

Sudden and severe pain in the abdomen or pelvis

Severe abdominal pain accompanied by fever or vomiting

Constant ache that extends to lower back and thighs

Menstrual irregularities – delayed, irregular or painful menstrual periods

Fullness or swelling of the abdomen

Pelvic pain during intercourse

Pelvic pain shortly before your period begins or just before it ends

Difficulty emptying your bladder completely as a result of pressure on the bladder

Pain during bowel movements or pressure on your bowels

Increased facial hair

Nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness that is experienced during pregnancy

Help for Ovarian Cysts

Treatment of ovarian cysts generally depends on the woman’s age, the size and type of cyst, overall health status and severity of symptoms. Sometimes treatment may not be required for cysts as they would probably heal by themselves in about one to three months. Practicing patience as well as being observant is important during this time as there will be a lot of waiting around.

Regular monitoring with pelvic ultrasounds should be performed periodically, especially for postmenopausal women. Hormone therapy such as oral contraceptive pills may be prescribed to reduce new cysts from developing as well as decrease your risk of cancer. If cysts are large, abnormal or cause pain, surgery may be recommended to remove the cyst.

Cysts may either be removed in a procedure known as a cystectomy (cysts can be removed without removing the ovary) or a procedure known as oophorectomy (removing the affected ovary and leaving the other intact). If the cyst is cancerous, a hysterectomy may be performed to remove both ovaries and uterus.

Natural remedies

Natural treatments such as herbs and herbal remedies have also proven to be quite effective in there ability to restore the balance of levels of hormones in the body as well as to prevent and reduce ovarian cysts. These herbs are safe and gentle on the body’s system, and also enhance overall health and wellbeing of women. Use Dong Quai, the Chinese herb to promote female reproductive health and hormone balance. It acts as a nourishing tonic, supports the menstrual cycle and promotes hormonal health during menopause and perimenopause.

More Information on Ovarian Cysts

Tips to control and manage ovarian cysts

While ovarian cysts cannot be prevented, there are a few ways to control ovarian cysts and these include:

Eat a diet that contains plenty of raw fruits, dark, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, legumes and garlic

Exercise regularly by walking, swimming, cycling, doing yoga or pilates

Avoid red meat, white sugar, fat, processed and refined foods

Decrease your intake of caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages

Increase your intake of antioxidant supplements such as zinc, evening primrose oil, vitamins A, E and C

Detox your body’s system to improve the liver’s function

Learn to control stress by practicing deep breathing exercises, visualization techniques or meditating

Keep the lower abdomen warm by applying a heat pack or hot water bottle

Eating too many chips can lead to health problems.

Chips are an inexpensive, tasty and easily available snack, but the toll they take on your body may not be worth the pleasure. While enjoying an occasional handful of chips won't cause irreparable damage to someone consuming an otherwise healthy diet, the real dangers arise when you consume chips on a daily basis or regularly choose them over healthier options.

 

Weight Gain

Chips are typically high in fat and calories, which can raise the risk of weight gain and obesity. One ounce of plain potato chips, or about 15 to 20 chips, contains about 10 grams of fat and 154 calories. A 2011 study in "The New England Journal of Medicine" found that daily consumption of a single ounce of potato chips led to an average weight gain of 1.69 pounds over four years. The link between potato chips and weight gain was stronger than the link between weight gain and other dietary components, including processed meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and unprocessed red meats. Being overweight or obese raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease and some forms of cancer.

Low Nutrition

If you regularly include chips as part of your diet, you may not be consuming as many nutrients as you should. Chips are typically low in vitamins and minerals, and they tend to displace things in the diet that are higher in nutrients. Eating healthy snacks can help make up for any nutritional lack at meal times, so if you opt for chips instead of snacks with a high nutrient density, you won't get this benefit.

High Blood Pressure

The sodium content in chips may negatively impact your cardiovascular health. A high intake of sodium can cause an increase in blood pressure, which can lead to stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease and kidney disease. Potato chips generally have between 120 and 180 milligrams of sodium per ounce, and tortilla chips can have 105 to 160 milligrams of sodium per ounce. A bag of chips typically contains more than a single ounce, so many people consume more sodium than they realize when eating chips. According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most people should limit their salt consumption to 2,300 milligrams per day, while individuals over 50, African-Americans and anyone with high blood pressure, kidney disease or diabetes should not consume more than 1,500 milligrams per day.

High Cholesterol

Frequent chip consumption can contribute to high cholesterol levels because of the amount and type of fat found in chips. Most chips are deep-fried, a process that creates trans fats, the most dangerous type. In addition, the oils used for frying chips are often saturated fats, which also contribute to high cholesterol levels. A 2007 study published in the journal "Circulation" found that high levels of trans fats in the bloodstream were associated with high levels of LDL cholesterol and an increased risk of coronary heart disease. High levels of trans fat in the diet are correlated to high levels in the blood.

Healthy Alternatives

Baked potato chips and tortilla chips tend to be lower in calories and fat than fried chips, although they may still contain high sodium levels. Unsalted whole-wheat pretzels and air-popped popcorn are low-fat, low-calorie options that also provide extra fiber, making them better snack choices than chips. Other healthy alternatives include low-sodium, baked vegetable chips or apple chips.

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References

§  Mayo Clinic: Sodium: How to Tame Your Salt Habit Now

§  Arizona Department of Health Services: Sodium Content for Selected Foods

§  American Heart Association: Know Your Fats

§  Circulation; A Prospective Study of Trans Fatty Acids in Erythrocytes and Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

§  USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory: Snacks, Potato Chips, Plain, Salted

§  New England Journal of Medicine: Changes in Diet and Lifestyle and Long-Term Weight Gain in Women and Men

Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd~

Bitter gourd has been associated with lowering sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes.

Bitter gourd is said to be helpful in fighting against cancer and a number of infections.

Bitter gourd has been known to provide relief from constipation and is also effective in the treatment of psoriasis.

Bitter gourd helps in improving circulation and in turn, generates slimming effects on the body.

Regular consumption of bitter gourd has been associated with prevention as well as treatment of hypertension.

Bitter gourd is believed to be helpful in preventing eye complications, apart from treating neuritis.It improves eye-sight due to it high beta-carotene content

The juice of the leaf of bitter gourd plant has been found to be beneficial in the treatment of alcoholism.

The essential vitamins and minerals present in bitter gourd help in treating defective metabolism of carbohydrates.

The bitter tonic properties of bitter gourd have made it effective as a blood purifier.

Fresh juice of bitter gourd is good for patients suffering from piles.
It removes stomach worms and highly recommended for kids.

It is good for asthma patients as it heals respiratory disorders.

Source: Natural health US
www.gooddeedsmall.com

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TOP 5 CANCER CAUSING FOODS:

1) SWEETENED BEVERAGES
Food sources high in refined sugars such as sweetened beverages, sodas and many juices can increase cancer risk.

2) FRIED POTATOES
Fried potatoes increase one's risk of developing cancer, especially when they contain hydrogenated oils, trans-fats, and a byproduct of the deep-frying process called acrylamide

3) Doughnuts doughnut
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar and hydrogenated oils. Then, fried at high temperature.Trans-fats are usually contained in hydrogenated oils and these substances increase the bad cholesterol in the body. Other than that, over consumption of hydrogenated oil also leads to diabetes.

4)Processed meats like hot dogs can lead to cancer because they contain large amounts of nitrate. The Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children should eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can’t live without processed foods, buy those that do not contain sodium nitrate. Why? Because Sodium Nitrate when placed in processed meats and consumed produces nitrosamines (potent cancer-causing chemicals) that accelerate the formation and growth of cancer cells in the body.

5) Burned Meat
Frying and cooking meat at high temperatures can create chemicals that may increase your cancer risk.Meat cooked or fried at high temperatures to the point of burning and charring may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

send in your comments and share this vital health tips with your family and friends.
Source: Natural health US
www.gooddeedsmall.com