Endometriosis
What Is It And Is There Hope For Relief? By Carol R. Arvin, RN, WHNP-BC Worldwide Endometriosis Day was in March. On Saturday, March 24, 2018, women participated in a worldwide ENDOWALK in cities across the US and world. This walk was a call to action to bring awareness to endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition that affects as many as 1 in 10 women during About the Author Carol Arvin is a Women’s their reproductive years but can occur in Health Nurse Practitioner the early teen years. specializing in the treatment The exact cause of endometriosis is of hormonal issues of women unknown, but most scientists think that from puberty through endometriosis happens when bits of tissue menopause. Her current focus is the treatment of endometriosis (endometrium) leave the uterus in the through the National Study wrong direction (retrograde menstruation) found at https://www. and attach to other organs, usually the equinoxstudy.com/ or calling ovaries and fallopian tubes, but also to the 844-475-3636. bladder, colon, and even externally. These bits of tissue, called lesions or implants, act a lot like the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) and can start growing outside the uterus. Every woman’s symptoms can be different, and the number and location of the lesions doesn’t necessarily relate to the degree of pain. A woman with minimal lesions can have severe pain while one with many lesions on multiple organs may have minimal pain. These areas bleed each month with the menstrual period, causing inflammation and scarring. The symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, pain between periods, pain with sex, pain with urination and bowel movements, and infertility. Infertility occurs in up to one half of women affected with endometriosis. Symptoms may make daily activities difficult and lead to depression and fatigue.There is a six-fold increase in endometriosis in women with a first-degree relative (mother, daughter, or sister) diagnosed with endometriosis. The only definitive way to diagnose the disease is laparoscopy surgery. The lesions seen can often be excised by several different methods during surgery, but will recur. Treatment for relief of the symptoms may include use of pain medications and hormonal treatments, such as birth control pills, IUDs with progesterone, and gonadotropin antagonists. Women who have been diagnosed with endometriosis may qualify to participate in a research study to evaluate the efficacy of a new drug to treat these difficult and exhausting symptoms. Google “Equinox Endometriosis Study” for more information on six different sites in the Houston area.
Feet First
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By Jawdat Hafez, DPM 10,000 steps a day. This is the magic number that is recommended for daily activity. That is a lot of stress and pounding on the feet. Odds are, at some point in your life, you will have foot problems. Podiatrists diagnose and treat conditions of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. Some Podiatrists can specialize in many fields, including: sports medicine, podiatric surgery, wound care, pediatrics, and diabetic foot care. The foot serves to provide balance, shock absorption, and propulsion for the human body. Injury or disease of the foot can result in serious disability, impaired mobility, and chronic pain. In order to reduce pain and improve mobility, podiatrists often treat problems such as: • Bunion deformity • Heel pain/spurs • Corns and calluses • Flatfoot/high arch foot • Wound care/infections • Nerve pain/numbness/burning/tingling • Diabetes ulcers • Athletes foot • Fractures • Fungal infections • Hammertoes • Ingrown toenails • Neuromas • Ankle Sprains/strains • Warts If you suspect that you are suffering from any of the above, please contact Jawdat Hafez, DPM, at Clear Lake Specialties. http://www.clearlake-specialties.com/podiatry/ 281-724-5391 Bay Area Health & Wellness Magazine | Spring 2018 13