How to treat IC Flare Symptoms and Prevent Them

Treatment:
- Drink lots of water! - flush out unwanted particles (ie: bacteria)
- Alternate (every 20 min) between hot an cold packs applied to perineum (women: between anus and vagina, men: between anus and base of penis). I also apply the packs to my urethra as well as I tend to have a lot of urethral spasms.
- mix 1 tsp of baking soda in a large glass of water to decrease alkalinity in bladder.
- Ask doc for pyridium: its an analgesic that numbs the bladder thus decreasing pain from bladder spasms (it turns your urine a bright orange, don't wear any underwear that you don't mind being stained, sticking with black cotton might be a good idea).
- Squatting can help relax pelvic muscles.
-

Prevention:
- Activities such as running, sitting for a prolonged period of time, riding a bike,  and sexual activity can irritate the bladder/urethra. Yoga, pilates, lifting weights, working at a standing desk, and walking may be less irritating.
- Sex: shower both before and after sex to ensure unwanted particles do not enter the urinary tract, also pee immediately after sex (drink water right before sex to ensure you have something to pee out afterwards).
- Menstruation: Some women find that the chemicals in pads can cause urethral irritation, Always Infinity pads and liners have been reported to bother some IC sufferers. Instead try Seventh Generation pads and liners. They are chlorine free (free of almost all chemicals in fact) and you can find this brand at super store and extra foods in the natural section.
- Stay well hydrated: find a water bottle you like (stainless steel and glass are best for not shedding particles of the bottles into water over time) and take it with you everywhere. Avoid caffienated beverages and excessive alcohol. If you are not experiencing a flare and want your cup of coffee try finding a low-acid coffee (puroast - on amazon.com, among others).
- Yoga/Meditation: these will help you stay relaxed which reduces your body's flare reaction. Take time out for your self on a regular basis.
- Clothing: avoid tight fitting clothes, especially jeans, and stick to cotton panties (avoid thongs as they transmit bacteria from anus to urethra easily).
- Food: avoid food high in acidity. (specifics discussed in other posts).

IBS (FODMAP) friendly recipes

Just found this great site with FODMAP friendly recipes! Adding it to my blog roll now.
Here is a recipe from that site:

http://cookingwithnothing.com/

Banana Granola

A friend of mine has just joined me on the low-FODMAP brigade and asked me what he could have for breakfast, as he was ‘definitely gonna get a bit sick of omelettes.’ Indeed, breakfast can be difficult on this diet, and with the news that only one-quarter of a cup of oats is low-FODMAP, things got a teensy bit trickier. I haven’t even found one suitable pre-made muesli option at my local organic shop. And anyway, most store-bought mueslis (particularly crunchy ones like this) are jam-packed with refined sugar. Not the best way to start the day!

I’ve adapted this delicious granola recipe – which is free of refined sugars and bad fats – so it’s suitable for those on the low-FODMAP diet, and just as scrummy and nutritious for those who aren’t. If you want to make it go a bit further, you could mix the granola with organic gluten-free unsweetened cornflakes. Store in an airtight container and serve with your favourite low-FODMAP milk. 

• 3 cups (250g) x buckwheat flakes
• ½ cup (80g) x raw almonds, walnuts, pecans or peanuts (I used peanuts since I love the banana-peanut combo)
• ½ cup x raw pumpkin seeds
• ½ cup x dried coconut
• ¼ tsp x vanilla extract or ground vanilla
• 1 tsp x ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch x ground sea salt
• 3 TBSP x coconut oil, room temperature
• 3 TBSP x pure maple syrup
• 2 x ripe bananas, peeled and broken into pieces

Preheat the oven 400°F / 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.

In a large bowl, combine buckwheat flakes, nuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl add coconut oil, maple syrup and bananas. Mash until completely smooth (or use a blender).

Add the banana mixture to the dry mixture and combine well, using your hands, for about a minute, so all is well-coated and clumpy. Turn out and spread the granola in an even layer on the baking tray. Place in the middle of the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, check at around 10 minutes and turn the granola over with a wooden spoon. Allow to cool completely before putting in an airtight container. 

Botox Treatment for IC

Another good article for IC treatmnet:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/102947-botox-treatments-interstitial-cystitis/

pr 7, 2010 | By Nicole Van Hoey

Photo Credit injection image by sasha from Fotolia.com

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a type of painful bladder disorder that results in part from ulcerations in the bladder lining and from muscle spasm in the bladder and surrounding area. Although there is no cure for IC as of March 2010, ongoing research had led to numerous new treatments to control IC symptoms. Botox, otherwise known as botulinum toxin and derived from a clostridium bacteria, is an FDA-approved, injected drug that paralyzes muscle. Botox is being studied as a treatment to prevent bladder pain associated with IC.

 

BOTOX MECHANISM

Botox is a muscle paralyzer and causes muscle relaxation because it prevents chemical activity at nerve-muscle connections in the body. Although pain from IC is possibly caused by acidic foods and irritants in the urine, the symptoms of muscle pain, frequency and urgency are also related to overactive muscle spasms of the bladder. Dr. R. Pinto, et al., reported in European Urology in March 2010 that forced paralysis of the lower bladder wall, the trigone, in particular, with Botox provides direct and lasting improvement of up to nine months in muscle-related symptoms

INJECTION SCHEDULE

In ongoing 2010 studies, 100 units of Botox were injected in different amounts throughout the bladder. In the European Urology study, for example, 10 injections of 10 units each in 1 ml of liquid were injected at a single visit. An ongoing study by the University of Washington is instead providing injections of 25 units to four different parts of the bladder at a single visit. More research is needed to identify the best dose and schedule for injected Botox.

INJECTION LOCATIONS

Use of Botox is still so new in patients with IC that the most appropriate injection location has not been determined. Although the study by Dr. Pinto focused directly on the bottom of the bladder, other research is focusing on areas of the bladder that are specific to individuals. Patients with IC often determine the bladder lining sites of greatest pain during a bladder exam, and Botox might be most useful at these locations. Conversely, treatment directly to the trigone, or bladder bottom, has been proven to improve frequency, urgency and pain.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/102947-botox-treatments-interstitial-cystitis/#ixzz2hdbxA5PU

Article on baking soda

I like this article, it explains the use of baking soda with IC well:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/376495-the-effects-of-drinking-baking-soda-water/

Drinking baking soda, or bicarbonate powder, dissolved in water is a folk remedy that has been used for many generations to alleviate the symptoms of indigestion, heartburn, infections and arthritis, among other problems. Baking soda is an alkaline compound that reduces acidity in the body. The typical American diet is highly acidic, which allows many diseases and conditions to develop and flourish. Baking soda, taken in moderate amounts and at appropriate times, promotes healthy biochemistry.

Acidic Diets

The typical American diet has changed greatly over the last century. In earlier eras, Americans consumed much more fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy products, while only eating moderate amounts of animal-based protein, which contributed to a healthy alkaline environment within the body. In recent decades, the American diet has become based on "fast foods," refined and processed prepared foods, carbohydrates, sugary drinks and excessive amounts of high-fat meats. Modern diets produce much more acidity within the body, which compromises immunity and causes a variety of symptoms.

Acidity Crisis

Human blood must be alkaline to effectively transport nutrients and waste products, and to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with other tissues. Specifically, the blood must measure close to 7.35 on the pH scale, which is a logarithmic measurement of hydrogen ions and acidity. An acidic diet puts the body into a crisis because it threatens to lower the pH measurement of the blood. According to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition," the body reacts by liberating calcium and magnesium from the skeleton and depositing it into the bloodstream and other tissues, which has an alkalizing affect. However, mineral loss weakens and disfigures bones and leads to osteoporosis, osteomalacia and arthritis. Excessive minerals in the bloodstream contribute to atherosclerosis, or hardened arteries. Further, acidity reduces immunity and promotes the growth and proliferation of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses and parasites.

Benefits of Baking Soda

Drinking baking soda dissolved in water is a quick and affordable method of neutralizing the effects of an acidic diet or meal. Baking soda readily dissolves in water and is absorbed quickly in the intestines. It can be helpful for acid reflex, indigestion or an upset stomach. The carbonation that occurs when baking soda is mixed with water can promote burping, which can relieve excess gas and bloating. According to "Human Biochemistry and Disease," the alkalinity that occurs with drinking baking soda can dissolve the painful uric acid crystals of gout and relieve the inflammation of arthritis.

Recommendations

Baking soda dissolved in water is best taken between meals. If taken with food, it will reduce the effectiveness of the stomach's acid and compromise digestion. One or two teaspoons of baking soda in an eight ounce glass of purified water twice daily is a common recommendation for people wanting to increase the alkalinity of their body. Of course, dietary changes are helpful too, but the baking soda is often easier for people to start with. A complementary addition to the baking soda beverage is a wedge of lemon or lime, which are strongly alkalizing fruits that also add some flavor. Because baking soda does contain some impurities, some people prefer pure bicarbonate powder, which has the same alkalizing affect.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/376495-the-effects-of-drinking-baking-soda-water/#ixzz2hdYHi9Du

Found this tasty IC friendly recipe at http://www.cookingforinterstitialcystitis.com/

Found this tasty IC friendly recipe at http://www.cookingforinterstitialcystitis.com/

Squash Sauce Lasagna

I'm back and with a amazing first recipe for you all.

We are having friends over for the first time in our new place so I wanted to make something really special. I also wanted to do something really nice for my first blog post after all the upheaval of the past several months. Here is a labor intensive version of Nomato Lasagna. This takes time, and money. I think it cost me almost $25 everything. If I didn't have all these allergies I would still want to eat this lasagna, this doesn't taste like a crappy replacement for sure!

Time: Several hours
Cost: lots
Taste: Amazing!

Ingredients:

• 1 acorn squash
• 3 carrots
• 1 onion finely diced
• Two packages of ground meat. I used beef and pork
• 2 cups of red wine (optional)
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• Assorted herbs: I did about 1 tablespoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of oregano
• salt and pepper to taste
• Lasagna
• Ricotta
• Mozzarella grated
• 2 eggs
• Large bunch of kale tough stems removed

Directions:

• Struggle for about 10 minutes trying to cut the squash in half. Remove the seeds. I have a few tips for this. 
• Get husband/boyfriend/father/ or someone with good hands to do it. It will save you time and make them feel useful and increase their self esteem.
• Use a really big sharp knife
• Cut off the bottom of the squash so that it sits easily on the cutting board. Use the grooves of the squash to your advantage
• Roast in the oven at 450 deg in a pan with about an inch of water in it, flesh side down. This should take about 45 minutes. You will know its done when the top skin is soft and easily poked with a fork. Don't take them out until they are ready because it will just make it harder to get the flesh out
• Get a large dutch oven and start frying the onions, garlic, ground meat, spices. Once it has cooked for about 10 minutes add the wine.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil blanching the kale for about 1 minute, you may need to do this in batches. After blanching wash the kale in cold water, then squeeze the excess water out of it. Chop the kale into bite sized pieces, blend with the two eggs and set aside.
• Using the same pot of water toss in the carrots and boil until they are soft
• Puree the carrots and squash in a food processor or blender. If it is too dry to puree add some cooking water from the carrots and kale. Add into the meat. Let this cook for about half an hour so that all the flavours come together.
• Bring another pot of water to a boil, cook the lasagna noodles 2 minutes less that instructed
• Layer your lasagna: Pasta, sauce, pasta, kale, ricotta, pasta, sauce, cheese. Or something like that. You can add in extra layers of cheese, or sauce, or whatever you like!
• Get your guests to bring the salad.