Category Archives: bladder

IC and 2016 Personal Goals: 5 Guidelines for Living Life on Purpose

bladder, bladder pain, chronic prostatitis, fibromyalgia, GERD, IBS, IC, Interstiial cystitis, Uncategorized, vulvodynia, ,

Ah it’s a new year and time for your proverbial new year’s resolutions  What will they be? Or maybe this year you’ll just forget about it  What’s the use when you have chronic disease like the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromylagia)? Yogi Berra, the baseball philosopher with a great knack for simplifying life and its puzzles said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you probably wind up somewhere else” This is problematic because it may in the end get us to a place that’s WORSE than where we are right now Yogi Berra On Intention

The Power of Intention

The most powerful force in the energy field is intention because it produces direction for the mindbody

The value of resolutions is that they provide intention or direction  It’s not so important whether they’re achieved but rather that they are stated repeated

Intention grows with repetition  The mindbody is always eavesdropping on your thoughts  Always listening to your desires and intentions  If you dont have intentions then the mindbody doesn’t go anywhere  It stays where you are because that’s what your thoughts are going….no where  But if the mindbody hears a direction, focus, intention it will gear to take you there

Now it may not take you there right away  That’s really a problem of our impatience  We literally turn into what we think, believe, and feel  By and by the mindbody hears we are serious about this intention and it will indeed take you where you are intending  Repetition repetition repetition  This sets the stage for success with your intentions

Some Intention Setting Guidelines

Think them and then ink them  There’s something magical about writing down your intentions(aka resolutions) because they are much more likely to be realized if you do soMaharishi-Mahesh Intention

Review them every day so life’s distractions don’t interfere with the direction

Make your intentions very specific  Saying you want all of your symptoms to go away really won’t work very well….but setting the intention about

Put your intentions in the positive and present tense  “I don’t want to eat peanut butter(coffee etc) anymore” can be replaced by “I want to find a nutritional replacement for peanut butter”

Meditate and journal  The value of meditation is to help focus one’s attention on the present  There are different forms of meditation….some actively work at quieting the mind and that’s good but combining the quieting with focus about a particular problem like the  IC bladder pain syndrome helps one link your desire of healing the problem with the intention of doing so  Things will obviously come up about the symptoms that you’re having  If you think about them long enough insights will occur  When insights come journal them because it will help with focus and making your intention(aka resolve) stronger  In our previous example “I want to find a nutritional replacement for peanut butter” when repeated over and over again will bring up alternatives that may never have occurred to you before…..or someone might suggest to you an alternative out of the blue that you had not entertained and bring that to your awareness…or you’re shopping at the store and suddenly you begin seeing all kinds of alternatives to peanut butter  The possiblities are infinite

And make your intentions a priority  In and of itself just setting the intention to DO the repetition of your intentions on a daily basis can be valuable

IC and the Power of Mind: Improving Decision Making

bladder, bladder pain, chronic prostatitis, fibromyalgia, GERD, IBS, IC, Interstiial cystitis, Uncategorized, vulvodynia, , , , ,

bigstockphoto_Dna_Replicating_4043091The power of the mind is becoming more and more significant as research shows that in many ways effects on the DNA can impact our behaviors  This becomes important in chronic diseases such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) because as we know mind is a major determinant in healing

 How Can We Improve Our Decision Making?

Why do we chose one way of doing something rather than another way? Does it make a difference in the greater scheme of things?  And which is the best decision when it comes to healing a problem in the physiology?  Is it better to leave it up to intuition or be driven by hard facts?

There are always those times when we get to a critical juncture and want to make a decision that will move us forward  So it’s worthwhile to look at how decisions are made and how we can influence our decisions for the better

It’s clear from current science that decision making is genetically determined…that mind is our DNA  So change your genes to create better mental clarity and change the way you make decisions

How can this be done?  Alkalines of our DNA follow a regular grammar and have set rules just like our languages  So human languages did not appear coincidentally but are a reflection of our inherent DNA  When we are stressed or negative, our biological energy reserves are diverted from the important task of regenerating and repairing the body

We can counteract this cellular starvation by focusing on genuine states of care, expressing appreciation, gratitude, and love  These positive emotions enhance our energy system and feed the body, even down to the level of DNA

 The Bottom Line:  Our DNA is Listening

Living DNA substance will always react to language if the proper frequencies are being used  This is why mantra repetition, affirmations, autogenous training, hypnosis and the like can have such strong effects on humans and their bodies  It is entirely normal and natural for our DNA to react to language  And research has shown that we as humans can reshape and even reconfigure their DNA

Meditation helps access the energy body  Our cells are listening and there is a lively interaction between emotions and our cells  We have a thinking body  Breath work also helps affect the energy field  All of Nature is interdependent  Ancient cultures understood this interconnection as a living universal energy field which sustains life and can produce spontaneous healing events that have been well documented

IC and Supplements: The High Priced Scam

bladder, bladder pain, chronic prostatitis, fibromyalgia, GERD, IBS, IC, Interstiial cystitis, Uncategorized, vulvodynia
Tabletten in einem Kopf aus GlasMany with chronic disease like the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromylagia) are looking for some kind of advantage to help with symptoms from their dis-ease  So it often comes to people looking for help with supplements offered from the molecular promised land of the matter science world
The question that’s left unanswered by the supplement salesman is that if you don’t know the origin of the disease in the first place how can you offer a molecular solution in the name of healing  Is there any proof that taking a multivit a day improves health yet?

Addiction and Supplements:  Is It Real?

Presently the molecule rules so people believe that the promises by the supplement world must have some merit  But there have been few if any studies that show major breakthrough results with supplements particularly with the IC bladder pain syndrome  The interesting phenomenon that occurs when supplements become popular is that everyone gets on the bandwagon without questioning efficacy  The result is that the supplement salesman makes profits

Beware of Matter Science Doctors Selling Supplements

A recent diet book published by a popular matter science doctor received rave reviews by the matter science healing community and of course book sales sky rocketed the book to the NY Times best seller list  And of course there was good but repetitive molecular evidence as to why the obesity epidemic was on the rise  Using what would appear to be good molecular logic to explain away the obesity problem is akin to biochemical micromanagement  Eventually the solution became not nutritional but supplements  What?

When you read the one star reviews on Amazon the concern about the book is quite concerning  What was promised was nirvana in 10 days to get you off your sugar addiction which is dubious but what was the complaint about the book by readers  They were concerned that they had to pay an excessive amount of money for recommended supplements yet didn’t experience any improvement in wellbeing
This is just one example of what is becoming a common place theme in the matter science world  Physicians using their credentials to soft sell molecular solutions that they hope will in some way solve the problem at hand

Sorry, There Is No Free Lunch:  Health Is Not In a Pill

Even as convincing is the molecular and metabolic information the point still stands that there is not good data to support the long term use of taking molecular supplements  particularly with respect to specific disease conditions

The nutritional approach based on 1000’s of years of experience shows that the energy science approach if maintained on a consistent basis will pay dividends of progressive improvement in symptoms  And the cost?  What you normally pay for groceries  Probably 80% of the solution in the IC bladder pain syndrome is nutrition and lifestyle behavior patterns

 

 

 

 

IC and the Art of Energy Cooking: 4 Healing Approaches

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gheeAs we have discussed in the managment of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) nutrition is foundational to having success longterm  But in the energy science of Ayurveda nutrition is more than just what foods are selected for your unique mindbody energy constitutional makeup  Even though foods are integral to success because they bring about balance to the physiology and prevent imbalances from occurring there is more to nutrition than foods  Where to eat, when to eat, how to eat, why we eat all add to the “what to eat”

As we discussed we have talked about always making a deal with ourselves to sit whenever we eat  This simply allows us to improve the chances of agni doing a good job in digesting whatever we’re eating  Eating our biggest meal of the day at noon is foundational to successful nutrition  Why we eat uncovers that aspect of nutrition about emotional eating as well as overeating

But what about “how to eat”? This covers the aspects of bringing attention to eating of food but also how we prepare foods

The Uniqueness of Energy Science Cooking

One of the objections that I have heard about the energy science approach to nutrition is that you have to be Indian in order to do an Ayurvedic nutritional format  While this is complete and utter nonsense people buy into such false writing because they don’t know any better  And they believe the people that are protecting the matter science approach to nutrition by misrepresenting the energy science

FH Widget 220px1 Truth be told the nutritional formats that are at foodsheal.com can be integrated into anybody’s way of eating because the change in foods chosen means that you simply find substitutes for foods that are aggravating for folks with the IC bladder pain syndrome  If there are problem foods such as nightshades for Pitta Vata then find vegetable substitutes  Another example of this substitution is using sunflower instead of peanut butter

2  One of the basic tenets of energy science nutrition is to cook food in order to predigest  There is a lot of rhetoric about this from the raw food or macrobiotic community but it makes intuitive sense to break down the cellulose of vegetables in order to aid the agni of the mindbody particularly if it’s struggling  Another time that raw food comes up is in blenderized veggie drinks  In this situation the mechanical breakdown of the veggies may predigest but again the lack of heat applied may make this food preparation technique substandard

3 The use of ghee in cooking cannot be overemphasized in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome because often the Pitta energy pattern is involved and the best way to pacify Pitta is by the liberal use of ghee due to its liquid and oily qualities   But there is good matter science data as to why one would want to use ghee which enhances agni  It is completely made up of small chain hydrogenated fatty acids(most common butyric acid) which does not have to be digested and moves through all the tissues within twenty four hours  This has important ramifications in the detoxification process of panchakarma(PK)

4 Spices have volatile organic compounds(VOC) which when activated facilitates digestion, absorption, and assimilation of foods  Spices are integral to healthy cooking because they augment agni  They are best activated during food preparation by placing them in ghee and heating to activate the VOC  Once activated they can then be added to other ingredients of the recipe  If you have a heavy aroma in the kitchen when activating VOC it means that you have overheated and overcooked the spices

So there you have it  A way to prepare foods so that your mindbody can get the most out of it because you have enhanced your agni in the process of preparation

 

IC and Guidelines for Eating During the Holidays

bladder, bladder pain, chronic prostatitis, fibromyalgia, GERD, IBS, IC, Interstiial cystitis, Uncategorized, vulvodynia
bigstock-Family-All-Together-At-Christm-4881220Food selection may become a big deal during the holidays with those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystititis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) So what are some techniques that can help during the holidays?  Spreading out holiday-related events, and making get-togethers more active, and meditation are just a few ways to stay healthy this season.

Spread Out Your Events

Try to spread out the parties and get-togethers, instead of visiting several households on the same day If there is an event where the cooking is shared, start a Facebook group page to better organize the dinner and ensure there are plenty of healthy options  Each member can discuss what they are bringing to allow a wide variety of colors and choices rather than an overload of starches. You can also use this page to share recipes

Move at the Party

Holiday gatherings often consist of sitting, eating, talking, drinking, and more eating  We often find ourselves sitting for longer periods of time because we enjoy the conversation Your legs want to move, the food is on the counter, and off you go for food you’re are not even hungry for  This year, try some of these actions with the family to reduce the march to the kitchen  Take a walk or try some other physical activity

Don’t Go Overboard

Sticking to a healthy plan is important  However depriving yourself of certain foods can have negative results  Restrictive eating can lead to binge eating as well as disliking healthy foods by associating them with something you ‘have’ to do  When it’s time to pile food on your plate, eat what visually appeals to you, or you know you love without guilt clouding the mind  Try these final tips for holiday eating  If smaller plates are an option, use them. You’ll fill larger plates just because room is available. Second trips are better than overeating on the first round  If you’re trying something new, only take a bite-size portion

As you begin to incorporate more healthy practices into your life—whether during the holidays or during everyday life—your mindset will start to shift, and you’ll begin to not only choose more nutritious foods, but actually enjoy them, too

IC and Getting Out of the Way: 2 Techniques to Enhance Release

bladder, bladder pain, chronic prostatitis, fibromyalgia, GERD, IBS, IC, Interstiial cystitis, vulvodynia

feathersWe all know the amazing capability of the human mindbody to heal  One only needs to recall the experience of a skin cut and the changes that take place over days that leads to the sealing of the wound and typically without a scar  And we didn’t really do anything  We just watched and day by day it occurred  The mindbody did its magic

What we had to do is “get out of the way”  There are many things that we do to interfere with the healing process  We can give our mindbodies foods that produce imbalance or incompatible food combinations, not live in tune with Nature(going to bed when Nature is going to sleep, getting up with Nature, eating our biggest meals when Nature is taking her biggest meal)  These simple things support “getting out of the way” and is foundational to dealing with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)

Release and Getting Out of the Way

The mindbody knows how to heal we just need to give it the opportunity  A Kapha release can look like the common cold, with lots of mucous and cough with respiratory congestion(release of the heavy, slow/dull, slimy/smooth, liquid qualities) An attack of acid indigestion or diarrhea would be an example of a Pitta release due to excess of that energy pattern in the GI tract In both of these examples the mindbody is shedding qualities(hot, sharp, spreading, liquid, oily) that it doesn’t want  This shedding of qualities that happens is a very natural thing  It’s not like we have to think about this release It just naturally happens Typically once an acute release has occurred there is often a sense of lightness that overcomes the physiology due to the loss of qualitative burden

The reason for release is quite simple actually  The mindbody has innate intelligence to release these unwanted qualities  Like Nature it always moves in the direction of righting itself if imbalance occurs  Unfortunately we have grown impatient with this process due to our distrust of the mindbody, believing that this is not possible

Understanding the Process of Release

It’s important to understand this process of release  Release which is in reality a healing event but it can be marked by highs and lows, ups and downs, good days/weeks and bad days/weeks  This roller coaster ride leads to doubt in the mindbody that one is on the right path, that this indeed will be the right course to take  When doubt sets in, confusion can reverberate through the physiology and then impatience and loss of faith  Pretty soon the inevitable “what the use” begins to chime in

Journaling pays big dividends because it focuses our attention on where we have been and where we are now with respect to symptoms  By and by symptoms get better but because the process is subtle it’s sometimes difficult to remember  Journaling helps support the memory of the past

If we are paying attention to guidelines that foster balance, there will come a time guaranteed, where energy patterns that have been “hanging around” in the mindbody physiology will want to naturally release  With that release comes symptoms and we misinterpret these symptoms as getting worse or at least not making progress Rest assured that if you’re doing the foundational work as discussed release of qualities will be the result

Enhancing the Process of Release

So it’s either an acute release as in the common cold or a release of pentup energy as in the IC bladder pain syndrome  The latter is a release that has been chronically stored sometimes for years or decades The more chronic the longer the release that can take up to years based on the chronicity

Supporting and enhancing the release can be done with

1  Herbs which can help foster, smooth out or build up the mindbody during releases

2 Detoxification procedures such as panchakarma(PK)  These require physician directed guidance due to the complexity of decision making that goes beyond the health consumer’s capability  There are other energy science techniques that also facilitate these chronic releases that go beyond the scope of this short blog but suffice it to say there are many other tools in the bag

The message is that illnesses that seem to come out of “nowhere” can be explained on the basis of these releases  Of course if not simple one should check in with your friendly matter science doc and be sure that there isn’t something more serious particularly if symptoms continue and don’t resolve

 

 

IC Flares During the Winter: Using Subtle and Gross Qualities

bladder, bladder pain, chronic prostatitis, fibromyalgia, GERD, IBS, IC, Interstiial cystitis, Uncategorized, vulvodynia,

Winter GirlFrom an energy science view the entire universe is composed of 10 pairs of vibrational frequencies of opposite qualities that are named and readily recognized by all of us  For example who hasn’t encountered hot and cold, liquid and dense, gross and subtle, soft and hard, heavy and light? And disease is understood by imbalances of these qualities. If there is too much hot in the physiology then the solution is to remove the hot quality balancing it with the cold quality by lifestyle, herbs, and foods

Have you ever wondered why riots don’t happen during the winter in cold climates? And even in climates where the temperatures don’t get near freezing riots are an unusal occurrence  And it is also for the same reason why IC flares either reduce their frequency and severity during the winter

As we recall the hot and mobile qualities are predominant in the formation of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)  The hot quality is significantly reduced during the winter time and hence so is the impact it has on the energy mindbody  The mobile quality is still active in the energy physiology so symptoms of urinary frequency and urgency may still be present but a reduced feeling of heat

The Qualities of Subtle and Gross

One of the foundational aspects of the energy science of Ayurveda is our relationship with Nature Herself  Nature is all of observable creation….the gross  And as individuals we represent the subtle aspect of Nature  Another way of expressing this is the macrocosm and microcosm  Nature is the macrocosm and we as individuals become the microcosm  But we as microcosms actually are 3D expressions of the greater macrocosm  Again the interplay of gross and subtle

Vata Pitta and Kapha(VPK) are expressions of the above opposing 10 pairs in various combinations  Vata is subtle while Pitta and Kapha are gross because they are more tangible and firmly expressed  There are other ways that the energy science talks about these gross and subtle qualities  PTO(prana, tejas, and ojas) are the cellular expressions of VPK….again the subtle expression of PTO is actually the microcosm of the macrocosm of VPK  As Pitta is gross in its expression of hot, the agni is the subtle expression of the same hot quality   Marma points like acupuncture points are subtle manifestations of the gross mindbody  They reflect not only internal organs but also are ways to influence the mind  The 7 primary chakra points are in reality marma points

This understanding of our interrelationship of ourselves with Nature is foundational to seeing how the philosophy of Ayurveda works in healing

The Hot Quality During Winter

As we began if Nature as a macrocosm is cold during the winter our microcosm takes on the cold quality and essentially helps treat the hot quality of IC flares

During the cold winter our external heat goes internally from gross to subtle and the central digestive fire becomes stronger so we’re able to more easily able to digest, absorb, and assimilate foods  Just as Nature withdraws and sleeps during the winter so does our metabolism externally

IC and the GAG Layer: 5 Ways to Protect and Rebuild It

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Biologically the mindbody simultaneously coexists as both an energy field or a matter(molecular) field  If I put on my energy field glasses I see the mindbody as an energy field and I speak about it in terms of Vata, Pitta, or Kapha  In so thinking about the mindbody as both energy and matter there obviously should be a transparency about what we are discussing  If I speak about the molecular aspects of the mindbody I should be able to find its equivalency  in the energy field model  This is true for the GAG(GlycosoAminoGlycan) layer molecular concept and the Kapha energy pattern  In IC research it’s thought that the GAG layer is in some way altered in this dis-ease and therefore maybe the underlying molecular reason why IC occurs in the first place

Kapha is energy of stability in the physiology  It keeps our mindbodies strong and well put together physically  It’s psychologically grounding for us and is also responsible for our immune system working properly since it is the immune system  You can think of Kapha as a protective energy that keeps the mindbody strong  Any large structural molecule such as chondroitin(joints), cholesterol, or immunoglobulins are molecular expressions of the Kapha energy pattern

In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) one of the hypotheses in its molecular cause is that the protective GAG layer in some way becomes damaged and loses its integrity  This layer which is produced by the underlying epithelial cells is thought to be a protective mucous layer and so by what we have just said this would be a Kapha like protection from invasive bacteria but also from the acidic characteristics of the urine itself

Every tubular lining(aka mucosa) that has a connection to the outside world has a GAG layer  For example the lining of the respiratory system has its associated protective GAG layer which traps foreign materials so they don’t interfere with respiratory function  The GI tract and reproductive tracts has GAG layers as well  So GAG layers are not unique to the urinary tract but are part of the universal system of protection that is the Kapha energy pattern

GAG Layer Protection andaloe vera juice Repair

There are many reasons why GAG layers get damaged but one of them is inflammation  In energy science terminology that means that Pitta is being increased due to blocking by Kapha and in the matter science it means that acidity breaks down tissue  Knowing this there are energy science ways to help prevent the GAG layer from being broken down or getting repaired if broken down

Aloe vera  There’s a reason why aloe as a herb works wonders in the IC bladder pain syndrome  It molecularly provides mannose which is an often biologically unavailable essential glucosaccharide  This provides the building blocks for the mindbody to rebuild the protective Kapha GAG layer  Energetically aloe reduces Pitta heat and pacifies overactive mobile quality of Vata

Reducing Vata and Pitta in nutritional formats  It follows from our conversation that if having increased inflammatory Pitta molecules around then preventing them from entry into the mindbody would be good therapy  The same holds true for Vata molecules that produce movement in the physiology

Reducing Vata and Pitta in incompatible food combinations(IFC)  In general IFC’s are inflammatory and increase Pitta so avoiding these is Pitta pacifying

Herbs that reduce Pitta  Both acacia and psyllium absorb Pitta from the small intestine so in small volumes these herbs are valuable in the management of the IC bladder pain syndrome

Herbs that reduce Vata  Vata is composed of space and air as an energy pattern which are both composed of qualities  When you pass gas from the rectum you’re passing Vata energy  Since Vata is air if it’s increased in the mindbody physiology it can increase Pitta  Think about fanning a fire with pushing air across the fire that you’re trying to get going  Vata herbs like  ashwagandha, bala, and vidari are good at reducing Vata

IC and Salt: 5 Ways to Reduce Inflammation and Congestion

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too much saltThe energy science categorizes food according to taste(rasa which has an effect on the energy patterns of VPK), virya(effect that food has on our small intestine and tissues), vipak(effect that food has on our colon and cells), and prabhav(effect that it has on the DNA of our cells)  This makes the interpretation of how foods affect us quite complex and explains why the nutritional formats at icdiet.com and foodsheal.com are useful because they simplify our understanding of foods and allow us to make healthy balancing food choices that help treat the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)

The syndrome is most commonly produced by the qualities of Vata(cold, light, mobile, dry, rough, subtle, clear) and Pitta(hot, light, spreading, sharp/penetrating, liquid, oily)  These qualities combine in various combinations to produce the diseases of the syndrome  But the primary qualities that play the role are hot and mobile

The key to understanding the energy science disease model is to begin to appreciate the imbalance in qualities that occur in the mindbody physiology and how you bring about the imbalance  As we have discussed in the past the primary way we go out of balance is through foods that in the IC syndrome bring too much of the hot and mobile qualities among others

The Unique Salty Taste

The energy science of Ayurveda recognizes that there are 6 tastes called rasas(sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent) that allow us to scientifically study foods and their intimate impact on the mindbody energy field  These tastes are typically in combination with one another in foods  For example, seafood(meat that has lived its life in saltwater) has a salty rasa or taste energtically even though it doesn’t taste salty  Due to protein of the meat it has a heating vipak, and the dense and heavy qualities of seafood produce the sweet taste as the vipak energetic influence

Aside from seafood, mineral salts such as sea salt or table salt and surprisingly cottage cheese are the only ways we encounter the salty taste in foods so the salty taste becomes our first encounter with the concept of a “culinary spice”salty cottage cheese

The qualities of the salty taste are hot, light, liquid, soft, smooth/slimy, and subtle  From the above qualities of Vata we can appreciate that the mobile quality will be reduced by the slimy/smooth quality of salt but Pitta will be increased due to the hot quality Because the salty taste carries the hot quality it will be aggravating to people with the IC bladder pain syndrome

Due to the hot quality salt produces inflammation and due to the liquid quality it produces its well known congestive effect with fluid retention

Since rasa(taste) has an influence on our mindbody through the qualities of the foods that we take in, if we get an excess of the salty taste it can produce with the hot and liquid qualities, impatience, irritability, and easy frustration

As advertised in potato chip commercials, “Bet you can’t each just one”, implies that the salty taste can be addictive  This addictive like characteristic of salt is why ALL fast food chains use a lot of the salty taste in their food preparation

Due to salt’s penetrating and hot qualities it can be very effective in massaging and warming muscles and so soaking in epsom salt baths becomes valuable  Another use of salt is with neti sinus wash that reduces Kapha mucous in the sinuses where it accumulates  This is the experience everyone has with the common cold  Neti uses a salt solution since tap water will burn the delicate mucous membranes  But salt also is important in mobilizing with its hot quality the cool, slimy/smooth, liquid, heavy, dense, slow/dull, and static qualities of Kapha which are those of mucous

5 Takeaways About the Salty Taste

When it comes to the IC bladder pain syndrome there are some basic things to remember when it comes to the salty taste

Avoid salt at the dinner table

Avoid all seafood  Eat fresh water fish

Avoid all fast food

Avoid salt in food preparation at home

Avoid cottage cheese

 

 

IC and Getting Up At Night: 10 Helpful Solutions

bladder, bladder pain, chronic prostatitis, fibromyalgia, GERD, IBS, IC, Interstiial cystitis, Uncategorized, vulvodynia

Clock and awakeFrom an energy science perspective nutrition, rest, and exercise are the foundational pillars to a healthy life  In chronic disease like the IC bladder pain syndrome (interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) all pilllars get typically involved to produce disease progression  But rest can be an energy drain to the mindbody and since healing is already an energy drain there is a significant stress on the physiology that requires remedy

Rest

The pineal gland located in the third ventricle is a significant endocrine gland involved in the daily rest cycle and secretes two important neurotransmitters, serotonin and melatonin  The former is the energetic equivalent of groundedness and the latter is intimately involved in the diurnal variations of daylight and nighttime, signaling our mindbody when it is ready for rest

As usual in the energy science the amount of rest varies according to the constitutional energy makeup  Vata due to its delicacy requires the most rest, typically 7-8h per night and Kapha requires the least, 5-6h and Pitta somewhere in between  Most of us have 2 dominant patterns so PV would be around 6-7h and PK 6h  But commonly Kapha loves to sleep in and so even though Kapha “desires” more rest, in fact Kapha needs to “move it” and take advantage of its good stamina and endurance

When there are health challenges we can see that there are more energetic demands on the mindbody so that naps are naturally an acceptable way to “catch up”  So keeping the same rest schedule at night with PV in bed by no later than 103o and PK 1130 are reasonable guidelines  Appropriate rising times no later than 7 for PV and 6 for PK are reasonable  But if fatigue sets in during the afternoon a nap could be valuable

We are a culture guided by the alarm clock but the energy science of Ayurveda would suggest that such a tool is Vata provoking and physiologically disruptive  So if we set a good sleeping schedule there becomes less of a need to use an alarm because the mindbody gets set into a rhythm of rest, allowing the mindbody to go “au naturale”

Sleep disruption comes in all forms of shapes and sizes  Some have trouble getting to sleep, other wake up during Vata time(2-6a) and can’t get back to sleep,  and others wake up to urinate several times a night due to interstitial cystitis

Dreams of falling, being attacked, being pushed, or of always doing something in the dream as well as being frozen with fright, seeing the death of a loved one, or being locked up or flying are Vata dreams  Certain animals such as snakes, camels, and flying birds are related to Vata  Dreams about the autumn season are about vata  In vata dreams, the person is trying to fulfill a desire  These dreams are about a person falling or being attacked  In some cases, Kapha or Pitta may attack Vata

Helpful Solutions for Rest

There are tools that can help with setting the tone for getting into a “normal rest cycle  Of course this is not an all inclusive list but some of these have stood the test of time  Using one or a combination of these solutions may be helpful

Having a set time for bed every night is a good lifestyle habit to cultivate  The mindbody is subject to habit which sets the tone for rest

The bedroom should be just that….a place for the bed and for rest  Some turn their bedroom into a media suite or library and this creates confusion

Cherry juice is a source of melatonin and seratonin as mentioned above are important in rest  Amazingly cherry juice is a rich natural source of both and using glass of warm cherry juice with perhaps cinnamon before 30min before bed would be helpful for rest

Warm milk with ground almonds(without skins) and pinch of cardamom and pinch of nutmeg  Nutmeg is a culinary sleep aid and can be quite effective

Chamomile tea has been a longstanding herbal remedy for inducing rest, relaxation, and sleep

Cup tomato juice with 2t sugar and 2 pinches nutmeg

Herbal therapies such as tagar can be helpful in inducing sleep

Bhringaraj oil to feet and head after a warm tub bath for relaxation can also help for sleep inducement

Practicing So Hum mantra meditation can be a way to soothe the Vata aggravated mindbody and put it in relaxation mode  It’s a way of counting sheep but much more peaceful

The addition of a pharmacological such as Ambien or other sleep aids can be used as prescription and supported by the above