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Menopavza in TKM
Updated: Sep 25
Menopavza je naravni del življenja ženske, ki ga pogosto povezujemo z nadležnimi simptomi ter hormonskimi spremembami. A ljudje se ne zavedajo, da je mogoče obdobje menopavze s pravilno preventivo in pomočjo enostavno prebroditi brez trpljenja.
Ko se ženske starajo, začne sredi 40. let raven hormonov upadati in nihati, zato se takrat najpogosteje začnejo kazati sindromi menopavze. Hormonske motnje lahko poleg staranja povzročijo tudi nekateri operativni posegi ali hormonska zdravila. Najpomembnejše pri tem, kako se z menopavzo enostavno soočiti, je vedeti, kako ohranjati stalno raven hormonov.
Pogosti sindromi menopavze so:
Navali vročine ali rdečica na obrazu podnevi in/ali ponoči
Pretirano potenje, zlasti v kombinaciji z navali vročine
Žeja in suha usta
Pogosto uriniranje podnevi in ponoči
Zatekli spodnji deli nog, gležnjev in stopal
Bolečine v spodnjem delu hrbta
Suha ali srbeča vagina
Zakaj pride do nadležnih simptomov?
Ko zgornje simptome opisujemo s teorijo TKM, lahko vidimo, da so vročina/rdečica/suhost/nemirnost pogoste narave teh simptomov, kar je s stališča TKM povsem razumljivo. Verjamemo namreč, da naše telo energije shranjuje v ledvičnem sistemu, zlasti močno bistveno energijo. Glavna energija ledvičnega sistema pa je vodna energija, ki je pomirjujoča, krepčilna in negovalna energija. Ko se ženska stara in ledvična vodna energija pojenja, telo ne more več uravnovesiti ognjene energije, zato se pojavijo vsi ti ognjeni simptomi. Ker je vodna energija hkrati medij cirkulacije, ki pomaga pri dostavi drugih vrst energije, kot je qi, lahko ženska občuti znake utrujenosti in depresije. Nenazadnje ledvični sistem tudi nadzoruje vodno cirkulacijo, zato ne more nadzirati uriniranja in potenja, ko je raven energije nizka.
Ledvični sistem igra pomembno vlogo pri nadzorovanju mirne menopavze, vendar ni edini sistem, za katerega je treba poskrbeti. Tudi prehrana, življenjski stil, zgodovina porodov in raven stresa vplivajo na splošno ravnovesje vodne in ognjene energije. Nobena ženska menopavze ne doživlja na enak način. TKM lahko uporabi edinstvene teorije, s katerimi lahko razlaga različno in skrito naravo simptomov, ki jih lahko poveže z notranjimi nesoglasji. Večina žensk v menopavzi na primer obišče izvajalce TKM zaradi lajšanja navalov vročine, ki pa jih lahko spremljajo še številni drugi simptomi. Nekatere se pritožujejo nad pogostimi vročinskimi valovi, a se hkrati tudi potijo, jim srce močno razbija in imajo vrtoglavice; spet druge se lahko pritožujejo nad rahlimi navali vročine, a se tudi soočajo z resnejšimi čustvenimi težavami ali utrujenostjo. Vse kombinacije simptomov so pomembne za diagnozo in zdravljenje s TKM. [Preberi več: Obvladovanje stresa: Kako zmanjšati, preprečiti in prenašati stres]
Poleg simptomov, ki se pojavijo zaradi neravnovesja vodne in ognjene energije, se morajo ženske soočati tudi z mnogimi drugimi spremembami. Čeprav jejo manj in več telovadijo, težje ohranjajo svojo postavo, saj vranica in ledvice manj učinkovito čistijo telo in gradijo nova tkiva. Pogoste so tudi vizualne težave, kot so zamegljen vid ali utrujene oči, zaradi pomanjkanja krvne energije in zamašitve jetrnega sistema. Pomanjkanje ledvične vodne energije povzroči izčrpanost hrbtnega mozga, kar povzroča izgubo mentalnih zmožnosti ter vedenjske spremembe itd. [Preberi več: Psihologija hujšanja in ohranjanje rezultata]
Menopavza je naravni del življenja ženske. Ne smemo se je bati, temveč jo je treba sprejeti kot znak, da naše telo potrebuje podporo. Dobra novica je, da se lahko ženske naučijo, kako ponovno vzpostaviti ravnovesje v telesu ter povečati raven energije. To je mogoče storiti v vsaki starosti.
Kaj lahko storite:
Ponovno ocenite svoje prehranjevalne navade ter se izogibajte hladni hrani in pijačam.
Z akupunkturistom poskusite graditi in uravnovesiti svojo energijo.
Jemljite zeliščne pripravke, s katerimi boste podpirali vaše energije (pod nadzorom izobraženega herbalista).
Vsak dan si vzemite čas za sprostitev in uživajte v življenju. [Preberi več: Preproste vaje čuječnosti]
Vzemite si čas za počitek.
Naučite se sprejeti pomanjkljivosti in se znebite hrepenenj. [Preberi več: Izkazovanje hvaležnosti prinaša koristi za zdravje]
Prebudite svoj notranji smisel ter poslušajte svoje telo na holističen način.
[Preberi več: Cirkadiani ritmi in telesna ura kitajske medicine]
Menopause and TCM
Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life that has been frequently associated with annoying symptoms and disturbing hormonal changes. But little do people know, with some right prevention and assistance, women can go through menopause easily, without suffering.
When women age, the hormonal level starts to decline and fluctuate around the mid-40s making this the common time for menopause syndromes to show. Other than aging, some surgical procedures and hormonal medication could also cause the hormonal disturbance. So the important tip of going through menopause easily is about how we can maintain a stable hormonal level.
Here are some of the common symptoms of menopause syndrome:
Hot flushes or redness in the face day and/or night
Excessive sweating, especially with hot flushes
Thirst and dry mouth
Frequent urination during day or night
Swollen lower legs, ankles, feet
Vaginal dryness or itchiness.
Why the symptoms appear?
When we characterized the above symptoms using the TCM theory, we will see “Hot/ Red/ Dry/ Restlessness” are the common nature of these symptoms. It is very understandable in a TCM perspective. We believe that the Kidney system is where our body stores energies, especially the powerful essence energy. And the doctrining energy of Kidney system is the Water energy, a calming, nourishing, moisturizing type of energy. When women ages and Kidney Water energy runs low, the body is no longer able to balance out the Fire energy therefore causing all those fiery type of symptoms. Since the Water energy is also working as a medium of circulation, assisting the delivery of other types of energy like Qi, so she might experience fatigue and depression. Last but no least, the Kidney system also doctrine the water circulation so when the energy is low, it fails to control the urination and sweating.
Kidney system plays an important role in managing menopause peacefully but it is not the only systems to be taken care of. Diet, lifestyle, history of birth, stress level all affect the general balance of Water and Fire energy. No two women experience menopause in the same way. TCM is able to use unique theories to interpret the diversified and subtle nature of the symptoms, and correlate them with internal disharmonies. For example, most menopausal women go to see TCM physicians for treatment of their hot flashes, but these may also be accompanied by a variety of other symptoms. One may complain about frequent hot flashes but also have sweating, palpitations and dizziness; another may complain only about mild hot flashes, but experience more severe emotional distress or fatigue. All these combination of symptoms have significant implications for TCM diagnosis and treatment. [Read more: Stress Management: How to Reduce, Prevent, and Cope with Stress]
In addition to the above symptoms resulted from the Water/Fire energy imbalance, women have to face many other changes. For example, even though they eat less and exercise more, it is harder to maintain their body shape, because their Spleen or Kidney become less efficient in cleaning up and building new tissues; visual problems like blurred vision, tired eyes because of the blood energy deficiency and Liver system congestion; Kidney Water energy deficiency causes marrow depletion in the brain that leads to loss of mental sharpness or behavioral changes and so on. [Read more: The Psychology Behind Weight Loss And Maintaining The Result]
Menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life. This is nothing to fear, rather something to embrace as a sign that the body needs support. The good news is that women can learn to rebalance their bodies and increase their energy. This can be accomplished at any age.
What you can do:
Reassess your eating habits and avoid cold foods and drinks
Work with an acupuncturist to help building and balancing your energy
Take herbal supplements to support energies (under supervision of a trained herbalist)
Take time each day to relax and enjoy your life [Read more: Simple mindfulness exercises]
Make time for yourself to simply rest
Learn to accept imperfection and let go of desire [Read more: Practicing gratitude brings health benefits]
Awaken your inner sense and listen to your body in a holistic way
[Read more: Circadian Rhythms and the Chinese Medicine Body Clock]