Dealing with low energy with endometriosis

Dealing with Low Energy with Endometriosis

Suffering with endometriosis can mean dealing with fatigue on a daily basis. Below we look at a few natural remedies you can try to help support your bodies energy reserves.

Boosting energy levels when dealing with endometriosis fatigue

I know from personal experience how drained and exhausted you can feel with Endometriosis. For many women this feeling of exhaustion can be constant and you wonder how you are going to get through the day. I am convinced that in my own case that I did actually suffer from ME at the same time that I had endometriosis – the issue of a compromised immune system. Thankfully, the help of a great homeopath helped to re-balance my system as well as help with endometriosis.

Why are you so tired!

The cause of fatigue with endometriosis is beginning to be understood by the medical profession. It is now being recognised that endometriosis is a whole-body inflammatory disease. There are the obvious causes for fatigue like the body working so hard trying to deal with the inflammation as well the pain. But the fatigue and exhaustion of endometriosis seems to go really deep and can sometimes be utterly life-sapping.

We naturally feel tired when the body is working hard to heal itself. It is a natural mechanism which nature has built into our systems so that we stop rushing around trying to carry on as normal and the body can then use spare reserves of energy to heal, repair and recuperate. Women with Endo are more prone to a whole range of other health issues as well as Endometriosis. It is no wonder that they feel exhausted. Their bodies are working overtime trying to cope.

Some in the medical field feel the main reason for such deep fatigue is that it is caused by the body trying to cope with the chemical changes in the body and trying to manage the inflammation the disease causes.

What actually is the state of exhaustion! To state the obvious - it is lack of energy. All our energy comes from the food we eat. Food is fuel. Lots of women with Endo have various digestive problems. If we have a compromised digestive system then we are not going to assimilate our food so well. You help support your digestive system you can use digestive enzymes and probiotics.

Then there is the whole subject of STRESS. Stress will upset the digestive system, stress will deplete energy reserves, and trying to cope with the myriad of effects and symptoms caused by endometriosis is really stressful. So you become stuck in a vicious circle because stress makes endometriosis worse and this can the trigger an endometriosis flare.

Endometriosis also causes a great deal of pain symptoms - this too will cause tiredness and exhaustion. When the body is trying to cope with constant pain it puts a strain on our adrenal glands and on our central nervous system. Without extra energy reserves it becomes very, very hard to deal with practical issues like daily chores, trying to hold down a job, and simply looking after yourself.

You do need to take extra rest when trying to deal with Endo, but you also need to feel as though you have some quality of life. If you are too tired all the time, then you end up with yet another layer of depression caused by the fact that you are so tired - you cannot enjoy normal activities without feeling like a zombie.

There needs to be a balance. You need to take enough rest so that you can give your body chance to heal, but you also need to be taking an active part in your own life so that you can feel a sense of achievement, a sense that endo has not taken over your entire life.

Boosting your Body's Energy

On a day-to-day basis, the average person will use stimulants to boost energy supplies and performance. This comes in the form of caffeinated drinks including coffee, tea and cola, which are among the most popular drinks in the Western world, all of which are stimulants derived from herbs. What many people do not realise, however, is that over-reliance on stimulants can be addictive and destructive to our overall health. These drinks are really bad for the system in the long term and even more so for women with endometriosis.

While it is true that natural substances can increase energy levels in a number of ways, there is an important distinction to be made between those substances which are purely noted for their 'quick stimulant' action and other natural substances that fall into the category of 'system boosters'.

Most stimulants work through the nervous and circulatory systems to provide an immediate, but short-lived, increase in alertness. Some may also temporarily boost brain function and elevate the mood. The downside of many stimulants is that their quick action frequently leads to addiction and abuse.

System boosters, on the other hand, comprise certain herbs, vitamins, minerals and other natural nutrients, that provide a more sustained and gradual release of energy. On the whole, system boosters are considered to be non-addictive and far safer to use that stimulants. Some herbal system boosters can also act as overall nervous system strengtheners.

There are certain nutrients you can use to help ensure your body is obtaining all the required nutrition for better performance:

Pantothenic Acid - (Vitamin B-5) generation of energy from fat, carbohydrates and proteins.
Eleuthero root – Stimulant and helps anxiety. Can help chronic fatigue syndrome
D-ribose – utilised for energy production - used a lot by CFS sufferers
B vitamins – the b vitamins are well known for providing energy. They also support the adrenal glands, support the nervous system and are involved in hormone production. Bee pollen is a good natural way to get the B vitamin complex.
Ginseng – is well known to help with energy but some people cannot tolerate it for some reason – try a small dose and see how it affects you.
Iron – women with endometriosis tend to have very heavy periods and bleed heavily and this can cause low iron levels. An iron supplement can help or add iron rich foods to your diet. Black strap molasses is rich in iron and beef liver capsules are tolerated by most.
CoQ10 - helps to support cellular energy and the mitochondria

Ginseng

The super-powers for providing energy

Many of you will have heard about Ginseng which has been gaining popularity in the West since the 1960's. In Russia, where interest in this herb has been particularly extensive, Soviet researchers claim their studies have shown that extracts of ginseng can boost immunity, inhibit cancer, stimulate physical and mental activity, increase energy and physical stamina, improve endocrine glandular function and have variable effects on blood pressure and blood sugar.

Benefits attributed to Ginseng

Numerous studies have confirmed that Ginseng acts primarily as a system booster. It is said to be especially useful for debilitating states, particularly during and after illness or in old age. It has been shown to improve the body's ability to utilise oxygen, thereby increase mental and physical stamina, aiding concentration and memory, and improving the body's overall response to stress.

Having more energy available will help you to cope with endometriosis a bit better. You will be able to do more things that help you with your well-being like taking some gentle exercise, which in turn will release those endorphins into your system and endorphins can help to reduce pain. Having that bit of extra energy will improve your immune system and your overall well-being.

You may be sensitive to certain supplements and it is advised to start with a small dose to see how your body reacts. Check with your doctor to see if any supplements you wish to try do not interfere with any medication you are taking.

Dealing with Low Energy with Endometriosis

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