Painful Periods
Women who suffer month after month with painful periods could have Endometriosis.
Many women think that painful periods are normal and something that they just have to deal with, but this is not true. If over the counter pain medication does not ease the pain of menstrual cramps, this could be a red flag for Endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects millions of women. The condition occurs when small pieces of the uterine lining end up outside of the uterus. Experts still do not know exactly why this happens, but do know that the sloughed off uterine tissue moves the wrong way and ends up in the upper pelvic cavity instead of being expelled during monthly periods. This misplaced tissue accumulates on the fallopian tubes, ovaries and other abdominal organs, causing pain, bleeding and cramping. Endometriosis not only causes painful periods, but painful intercourse and even infertility.
What You Should Do
Your doctor may suggest (depending on your age) that you take an oral contraceptive continuously to decrease the amount of times that you menstruate. They may also suggest ibuprofin for the pain. If these things do not help, the wayward tissue may have to be surgically removed.
Weakness Between Meals
Women who feel weak, dizzy or shaky between meals could have Hypoglycemia.
It is natural to feel a little off if you are running on empty, but if this happens regularly, you maybe in trouble.
Hypoglycemia hits you when your blood sugar levels drop to an abnormally low level, and leaves you shaky and dizzy. Drinking alcohol, overdoing it physically and not eating properly are the usual causes.
What You Should Do
- Limit your intake of alcohol, and avoid too many sugary foods and snacks
- Eat several small meals during the day to keep sugar levels steady. Proteins and complex carbs are recommended.
Indigestion and Heartburn
If you find yourself constantly needing to take antacids, you could have Ulcers.
Ulcers are small sores in the stomach lining or where the small intestine begins. These sores cause a dull and gnawing pain that can come and go for long periods of time. Many women mistake ulcers for heartburn, indigestion or hunger because the symptoms often improve when they eat. Almost all ulcers are caused by a nasty, rampant stomach bacteria or excess gastric acid that can be brought on by stress.
What You Should Do
See your doctor. He or she can administer a breath test to check for bacteria. They may then put you on a week long course of antibiotics to kill the bacteria, as well as medication known as proton pump inhibitors. This reduces acid production, help to ease the pain and offer protection to the stomach lining. After the harmful bacteria have been destroyed, the ulcer should heal by itself.
Constant Stomach Discomfort
If you suffer from diarrhea, bloating or constipation frequently, you could have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
It is easy to pass off these symptoms as having a sensitive stomach, or to something you have eaten, but if you suffer from them regularly, you could have IBS. IBS is a distressing and often embarrassing condition that affects approximately 1 in 5 adults, 70 percent being women. It is believed that those who suffer from IBS have a hypersensitive gut that is exacerbated by stress.
What You Should Do
Some doctors may recommend over the counter fiber supplements and mild laxatives to those who's main complaint is constipation. For those who are plagued by constant diarrhea, they may suggest an anti-diarrheal such as Imodium. However, as someone who has suffered with IBS my entire life, I have found that a change in diet and lifestyle may be the best way to treat painful symptoms.
