IC and Sleep: 9 Ways to Improve Rest with Chronic Dis-ease

Healthy rest with chronic dis-ease is essential in healing because it takes more energy to heal  The IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is such a chronic dis-ease complex of labels that can often be associated with sleep disruption

Proper and sufficient sleep is essential for optimal health and without it, body and mind can suffer, particularly if chronic dis-ease is present  But what actually is proper rest has a lot to do with who you are energetically

The Ayurvedic Perspective of Sleep

People with a Vata energy makeup require the most sleep(7-8h) and Kapha even though they like to sleep require the least(6-7h) Pitta’s requirements are somewhere in between

Since most dis-eases have a Vata component it’s not surprising that sleep disorders are common in particular with chronic dis-ease which are primarily vata disorders  Vata sleep disturbances include restlessness and light, easily disturbed sleep that may be precipitated by worry and anxiety  There may be tossing and turning and/or frequent kicking of the legs

Disturbed pitta can be a factor also, in the form of excess focus on problem solving/planning and attempting to sleep in hot weather  Kapha sleep disturbance usually takes on the appearance of sleeping too much  This can lead to slowing an already slow metabolism which then leads to weight gain

How to Get Good Sleep: An Energy Science Approach

In the energy science of Ayurveda, healthy lifestyle is paramount  Ayurveda provides lots of suggestions for healthy routines to begin each day, which supports optimal health and peace of mind  And by creating healthy routines at bedtime, you are helping ensure a nice, peaceful night’s sleep  Importantly going to bed at a proper time sets the stage for waking up early and beginning the day away from the energetically lethargic time of the morning(6-10a)  Following are suggestions for creating healthy bedtime routines and optimizing sleep.

Consider that about one hour before actually going to bed is when to start winding down to prepare for sleep If your mind and body are active all the way until your head hits the pillow, it often will take awhile to calm down and settle into a state that will allow you to sleep  Instead, begin this process about an hour before you climb into the sheets  Avoid stimulating activities during this time, such as heated discussions, violent television shows, unsettling news, computer work, resolving financial issues, etc

Strive for not using an alarm clock so as to arise naturally and well rested

If you are having problems getting to sleep or staying asleep consider doing some soothing rituals

• Warm bath
• Soothing music
• Deep relaxation exercises….sleep is the best meditation
• Warm oil massage… foot or scalp massage before bed with bhringaraj oil
• Light or spiritual reading
• Turn down lights and use candles instead

One of the most important ways to ensure a good night’s sleep is simply to maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule, including weekends  The best sleep schedule to maintain is to go to bed by 10:00 pm and rise at about 6:00 am This is the time that is most conducive to sleep  If you are used to going to bed later and getting up later, this may be difficult at first  But your body will soon adjust, and over time you will likely find this schedule allows for a more restful night’s sleep

Try not to have the head under pillows  This habit reduces good oxygenation during sleep and inhibits good sound sleep

Regular mealtimes (and do not eat anything heavy after 7:00 pm); a cup of warm milk before bed, perhaps with a little fresh nutmeg grated into it

Gentle yoga practice

Aromatherapy, such as lavender and/or jatamansi

Outdoor work in the garden or spending time in nature can be beneficial, as this brings the influence of the earth element and its heavy, slow qualities into the bodymind

Patterns of Energy Disruption for Sleep

Vata Insomnia:
Vata insomnia tends to involve awakening during the early hours of the morning (2-4am) accompanied with fatigue and drowsiness. This is usually due to:
·        Cold weather
·        Excessive exercise
·        Over consumption of raw foods, beans and light cold foods such as salads
·        Excess sexual activity
·        Excess travel and noise
·        Constipation, bloating
·        Rheumatism and arthritis

Pitta Insomnia:
Pitta insomnia involves difficulty falling asleep and staying up past midnight. It is commonly associated with:
·        Hot weather
·        Over consumption of sour, citrus and spicy foods
·        Hyperacidity
·        Caffeine and alcohol consumption
·        Staying up too late

Kapha Insomnia:
Kapha insomnia is usually early morning arising which is related to;
·        Overeating heavy foods such as meats, dairy, sweets
·        Snoring
·        Sleep apnea
·        Restless leg syndrome
·        Depression
·        Breathlessness

IC and SIBO: Role of Probiotic and 4 Other Manipulations

The energy science model of dis-ease states that except for trauma every dis-ease or imbalance begins in the GIT(gastrointestinal tract)  Since this is the case we can appreciate how important foods become in the evolution of dis-ease and conversely how important foods become in the management and healing of dis-ease  Correct food selection appropriate for own energy constitutional makeup  along with incompatible food combinations become foundational in any dis-ease healing

“I can’t believe that foods caused these symptoms”, was a common refrain that I heard from patients in my urologic practice when managing patients with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)  Obviously the longer the imbalance the more likely that other energy science techniques will be necessary to deal with advanced IC dis-ease conditions  This dis-ease emphasizes that the energy patterns are not at ease or that an imbalance of qualities is physiologically present

The matter science(allopathy, naturopathy) often look at infection as a cause of many diseases  Every once in a while you’ll see matter science research studies attempt to unsuccessfully or questionably successfully incriminate bacteria in the cause of specific disease  Because bacteria are treatable by antibiotics which is a big tool in the matter science toolbox an attempt to incriminate bacteria can be a scientific “home run”  It has happened with GERD(gastroesophageal reflux), rheumatoid arthritis, and obviously interstitial cystitis

Symptoms of Poor Digestion

Many experience poor digestion but discount it as just the way they are…..but in reality these symptoms should not be ignored  Any unphysiologic food craving is unhealthy and shoud be best avoided  Overeating is abnormal(eating more than 2 handfuls at any one meal) as well as cravings for ice  Post meal digestive problems such as heaviness, bloating, loss of energy after eating, need for naps after eating, diarrhea, and constipation are major warning signs that things are not healthy in the GIT

Matter Science and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth(SIBO)

Now the matter science is getting closer to what the energy science has been saying for 1000’s of years….the GIT is responsible for all dis-ease  But since the matter science model of disease can only hold space for offending insults internal(autoimmune) and external(bacteria, parasites, fungus, and viruses) it becomes limited as to seeing the origins of dis-ease  Presently the matter science has a new approach to disease seeking an understanding through the alteration in bowel flora

This alteration or better yet described as disruption of normal small bowel flora has become known as SIBO where “bad” bacteria overgrow the “good” bacteria in probably not only the small bowel but large bowel as well  There are past models that lead to grounding in this kind of disease origin such as leaky gut syndrome and the candidal(fungus) overgrowth theories that have their proof in patient improvement by flora manipulations

Now the current rage for bowel disorder from IBS to systemic disease is to manipulate the small bowel flora with antibiotics(killing off the “bad” bacteria) or better yet “fecal bowel flora” transplants which have seen benefits

Energy Science Understanding of SIBO in Agni Terms

As we have discussed at length in past blogs the bacterial flora of the GIT which is 10x the cellular mass of our own individual bodies is part of a greater concept called agni   Called metabolism in matter science terms, agni is not only more user friendly, but as we have talked about in the past, a highly functional and malleable term that is freely manipulative by energy science techniques  As a matter of fact one of the main tenets of the energy science that separates it from the matter science is this concept of agni

As we have alluded to earlier, qualities(vibrational frequencies) become disrupted in the GIT and this subsequently leads to an alteration in agni  This disruption leads to SIBO but at times gut mucosal changes as well making this look like IBS in some respects

Then if the matter and enegy science models are talking about the same thing then what’s the big fuss?  Just use the matter science techniques that we have discussed above

Energy Science Solutions for SIBO

There is a general tenet in healing disciplines that the closer your treatment touches the origin of the disease the greater success the healer will have  So what’s better, to treat SIBO or the cause of the SIBO?  If the energy science model tells us that the cause of SIBO is an energy imbalance leading to the SIBO, the best solution is to deal with the imbalance  This is not rocket science folks!

1  So what is foundational in healing the bowel?  Well from what we said already choosing foods appropriate for you energy makeup and observing incompatible food combinations are support any further manipulation

2  Probiotic  It makes complete sense to support the “good bacteria” in the gut so as to improve agni  But it’s often too much of a good thing at times with probiotic use  Find a good probiotic(not necessarily the most expensive)but supplement for 2-3 weeks and then do a break and perhaps another couple of rounds  Then done

3 Yogurt as a probiotic  As we’ve discussed in the past homemade yogurt is a great food to use to support the bowel flora  Kefir has the potential of carrying yeast along with the probiotic so it’s not recommended from an energy science point of view

4  Avoid antibiotics if possible  All that antibiotics do is further disrupt the already compromised bowel flora  If you have to use antibiotics then you should definitely supplement with probiotic or yogurt for a period of time

5  Reduce ama  As we have talked about in the past when agni suffers ama forms in the gut and begins to leave the GIT  This unprocessed undigested debris which is the result of poor digestion is the basis of all chronic dis-ease

Elmiron and Aloe Vera Update

Elmiron has become a very commonly used pharmaceutical in the management of interstitial cystitis which is part of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)  For any herbal or pharmaceutical intervention there is always a question overall effectiveness because of other interventions associated with use  Nonetheless it has been shown to be effective in the management of interstitial cystitis

GAG Layer Disruption and Mannose

Forms of Aloe

Elmiron molecule

Perhaps many IC patients will have some flare reaction using aloe vera gel or juice with citric acid as a preservative

George’s gel by their labeling has no preservatives making it a favorable product in the market

Remember that just like pharmaceuticals aloe can become a bandaid so we can go on eating foods that aggravate and produce IC  However when used appropriately to help with symptoms as we make dietary changes makes the most sense

IC and Yeast: 6 Energy Science Suggestions

While naturally occurring yeast in our nutrition is healthy, in the West we have become excessive users of yeasted products primarily in the form of bread products and pastry  This adversely affects the bowel flora or the microbiome of the gut because yeast overgrowth is a definite complication  This is why yeasted bread products are listed in the No column in the energy science nutritional formats

Energetically the sweet taste soothes the nervous system  Even though we grow up with the sweet smell of oven baked bread and yearn for the sweet taste in its many different forms unfortunately the yeast in bread products can do a number on our gut flora  This is why if we look at the planetary nutritional habits we’ll see that 80% of the population uses flatbreads as a way of taking their grains which have naturally occurring yeast, not yeast that has been artificially added to produce the puffiness of the dough

IC and Yeast

What does yeast have to do with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)?

Think about what yeast does to dough as it rises  The excess yeast in the dough produces the hot quality during the rising process  We can feel that hot quality on the sides of the bowl as the process is occurring  This hot quality is delivered to the GIT and produces an additive effect to the already present hot quality in the gut  As you may remember it’s the hot quality that produces many of the symptoms of the IC bladder pain syndrome

But what else are we observing?  The dough begins to “rise”  This rising is an effect of the CO2 gas being produced by the yeasties as a byproduct of their metabolizing of sugars in the flour  The result energetically is the qualities of cold, light, mobile, dry, rough, subtle, and clear are being added to the GIT when we consume yeasted products  These qualities of gas lead to a build up of the Vata energy pattern in the GIT

Vata is a primary player in the creation of the IC syndrome so we can see how problematic yeasted products can be in supporting the disease process

What To Do About Dietary Yeast?

So there are a number of different lifestyle behaviors that you can take on that will make your gut a happier place

Use flatbreads such as sprouted wheat tortillas, pancakes, or corn tortillas(corn should not be used for PV energy makeups)

Consume naturally occurring yeast found in all grain flours  We don’t have to go looking for this because it’s naturally there for us

Avoid the bakery section in grocery stores  As Vata pacifying as it may be this section of the store should be off limits

Don’t supplement with yeast  This seems obvious but in many matter science health communities we find recommendations for yeast supplementation  While this may be a good idea from a molecular point of view it makes little sense from an energy science perspective

Toast the bread if you have to have it so that the residual yeast and the Vata qualities are not consumed

IC and Love: Sacredness of Healing

Every healing tradition should have a philosophy and this is unfortunately missing in the matter science model  This is one of the major reasons why our current medical system has run a wayward course  It also explains why the energy science medical healing discipline has been around for 5,000 years

Self Love and Healing

The body has a purpose and that’s to be healthy  When we become imbalanced with a dis-ease such as the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia), in order for us to heal requires that we regain balance and harmony in the physiology  In that very act of regaining balance we attain not only health but it is an act of self love

But how does a healing discipline incorporate love in its tradition?

Philosophy means a Love of Truth

 When you see the Truth you experience Love…not the emotional petty type of love written about in romance novels but something far greater  Healing then is seeking Truth and finding Love because Truth and Love are one and the same

The philosophy of the energy science of Ayurveda is that our human existence is intimately spliced with Nature herself….with the universe or totality….with Love itself and therefore the Truth  When we seek the Truth we find Lovfe and healing becomes a love affair

Healing then implies a seeker of truth  Someone who seeks healing is one who is seeking Truth, one who wants to get to the bottom of the problem  Not a bandaid or another blind alley but rather wants to solve the problem, whatever it may be  When one seeks healing in such a system one becomes a lover, wanting to unite back to wholeness, a return to what one once was before one was sick

Love and IC

But what does this have to do with the IC bladder pain syndrome?

Actually quite a bit  Because a healing tradition based on philosophy understands how the healing occurs in the greater context…healing assumes not a myopic mechanical view of the problem at hand but   That is, how your problems are part of a larger picture  And how the larger picture when employed really accelerates the healing process

Literally when you use a philosophy based healing tradition your healing efforts take on a Divine perspective  You employ God to direct the healing process as you participate  When you become Love you heal because being Love is healing which becomes the supreme creative act

The Sacredness of Healing

 If you can’t find God in yourself you can’t find Her anywhere else

In all spiritual traditions that have been articulated on this planet over the millennia there are basic themes that are present  First there is a universal force or God  Secondly this God exhibits unconditional love which means that there is complete and total acceptance of what is at any one moment  Thirdly we are all aspects of this universal force or God  In other words we are first and foremost divine beings in human form

There are many expressions physiologically of the Divine but most commonly is seen as light typically in the 3rd eye or what is called our inner vision  Behaviorally we begin to accept life events as they are without wishing they were different  There is a distinct feeling that you’re surrounded by complete acceptance by all around you

This connection to our own divinity occurs when we experience silence which is often talked about as the gap…the space between thoughts or breath  The movement of the mind is the movement of breath so when the breath is suspended we experience our own divinity  By and by when one consistently practices this you begin taking on the characteristics of the Divine….you recognize yourself as the Divine or your very soul  This is a very real experience not some metaphorical journey and it occurs because philosophically we are the Divine

 When you connect with your own Divinity you become Love and healing is the reward  Not without work but definitely with direction that supports your healing because you have infinite faith and trust that everything is as it should be and that healing will take place in time  Notice healing from an energy science point of view is not “lay down and God will take care of you”  No, divine healing requires your participation  In so doing you surrender to Divine direction

“You are precious and infinitely loved more than you can possibly imagine  You are always safe  You are never alone  The unconditional and perfect Love of God neglects not one soul

Love is, without a doubt, the basis of everything  Not some abstract, hard-to-fathom kind of love but the day-to-day kind that everyone knows-the kind of love we feel when we look at our spouse and our children, or even our animals  In its purest and most powerful form, this love is not jealous or selfish, but unconditional”                                    Dr. Eben Alexander     Harvard neurosurgeon

 

IC and Healing Expectations: Redefining What It Takes to Heal

Would we think it unusual that someone involved in a severe car accident would walk out of the ICU in a couple of days looking well? In the same way would we think it ususual that someone with chronic disease would clear their symptoms in a couple of months?

In the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) illustrates various energetic imbalances in the energy mindbody while the matter science views the components of the syndrome as disease labels such as vulvodynia etc  When various energetic science therapies are used healing is elicited because therapies help correct the imbalance of qualities  For example, the qualities of hot and mobile over time get cleared from the body with therapies

It literally takes years to cultivate these imbalances due to unconscious lifestyle choices  Energy science work is not like taking an antibiotic for a few days and everything is better Wish it were that simple in the world of imbalances  But the question often arises as to how long do I have to do this work tp see benefits?

Foundational Therapies

Since all disease begins in the gastrointestinal tract(GIT) except for trauma nutrition that supports the energy constitutional makeup becomes foundational therapy for helping support a return to qualitative balance and eliminates imbalancing qualities in the GIT  For example if a VP has a diet rich in nightshades(tomato, eggplant, peppers) simply removing those from the diet can be an important step toward bringing balance

Observing the removal of incompatible food combinations is another foundational therapeutic step to aid the GIT to correct the imbalances of the hot and mobile qualities of the syndrome

Therapies that support improving agni(digestive power) also do this rebalancing because removing ama improves the rebalancing effort

But how long does it take for rebalancing?  Foods are instantaneous in terms of their effects in the GIT they have the most immediate impact on symptoms and within 7-10 days one can experience shifts in symptoms  But the time for these foundational therapies to do their magic is dependent upon how long the GIT has been imbalanced  The estimate is 2mo for every year of symptoms

 Advanced Therapies

There are clinical situations where the imbalance that was created is beyond simple nutritional work  In this setting there are more advanced therapies that are required in order to achieve the clearing of the qualitative imbalances developed  Typically the symptoms have gone beyond IC and have other aspects of the syndrome such as vulvodynia or fibromyalgia

Again these advanced therapies such as herbal formulas, basti management, and detoxification procedures are part of getting better but again require time  Oddly when the energy mindbody reaches this advanced stage of dis-ease the length of time remains the same…2mo for every year of symptoms, that is, if you’ve been having problems for 10 years then it will take one year and 4 months to progress to a symptom free state

Appropriate Expectations

So we can see that when we do energy science work to heal the IC syndrome it requires dedicated work on our part to maintain lifestyle changes that support the clearance  of the imbalances created  Unfortunately in life there is no quick fix  I think we all intuitively know that but we hope against hope that it’s not true

Another interference to doing this work is lack of clarity as to the decision making about whether this is an approach worth trying  Only you can decide whether the journey is worthwhile