Interstitial Cystitis

[Guest guest]

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

 

Interstitial Cystitis(IC) is a chronic bladder disorder also known as

painful bladder syndrome or frequency-urgency-dysuria syndrome. IC

occurs more often in females, usually from ages 20-65. In the

beginning, symptoms closely resemble recurrent or chronic bladder

infection, but often bacteria typically found in urinary tract

infections are not cultured. In this disorder, the bladder wall can

become inflamed and irritated. It seems most probable that the cause

of IC may be a so called autoimmune reaction in which the body's

defense system targets normal bladder tissue. The inflammation can

lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder, decreased bladder

capacity, pinpoint bleeding and in rare cases, ulcers in the bladder

lining. For more information on this subject

 

 

 

Do you know of treatment for this with Ayurveda?

 

I have a friend with this

 

Thanks for any help

[Guest guest]

High dose cranberry capsules should meet all those criteria

 

Jane

>

> Do you know of treatment for this with Ayurveda?

>

> I have a friend with this

>

> Thanks for any help

>

[Guest guest]

hi y'all

 

cranberry will likely have little effect on IC because the issue

isn't an infection

 

the protocol needs to take into account a number of factors, and

given that IC probably has a low prevalence in India (although

perhaps increasing in ex-pat populations) it is probably no surprise

the condition isn't really mentioned in the literature, although

treatment for mutrakrichra should help, along with some modifications/

additions

 

as follows is my published review/protocol for IC

 

also, herbalist Michael Moore has a good review here, emphasizing the

use of local plants: http://www.swsbm.com/ManualsMM/ISCHerbs.txt

(as a side note, Michael Moore has now closed his residential herbal

program but his website is a treasure trove of knowledge - all

herbalists from all traditions should check out his site:

www.swsbm.com)

 

***

 

Interstitial Cystitis

 

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a clinical syndrome characterized by

daytime and nighttime urinary frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain

that resembles bacterial cystitis, but is not related to bacterial

infection. The course is often variable and specific symptoms vary

from patient to patient. More than 90% of cases are found in women,

and symptoms are often worse after sexual intercourse and during

menstruation. (Rovner 2005; Frassetto 2005; Berkow 1992)

 

In IC, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or

stiff. Pinpoint areas of bleeding called glomerulations or Hunner's

ulcers caused by recurrent irritation appear on the bladder wall, and

are present in the vast majority of cases. Many patients find that

they cannot hold much urine, increasing the frequency of urination.

In severe IC, the patient may need urinate as much as 60 times a day.

(Rovner 2005; Frassetto 2005; Berkow 1992)

 

Despite years of research, no specific diagnostic criterion has been

identified for IC, and is thus a diagnosis of exclusion, only

appended after other diseases have been ruled out, including

infection, malignancy, endometriosis, inflammatory bowel disease,

neurological causes (e.g. Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis), or

congenital abnormalities. (Rovner 2005; Frassetto 2005; Berkow 1992)

 

The condition has long been described in the medical literature,

beginning with the identification of the inflammation and ulceration

of the bladder by Dr. Alexander Skene in the late 19th century in his

book Diseases of Bladder and Urethra in Woman (1887). Later, another

physician named Guy Hunner popularized the disease with a more

comprehensive description of the characteristic bladder wall ulcers,

which have since borne his name, i.e. “Hunner's ulcers.” (Rovner

2005; Frassetto 2005; Berkow 1992)

 

The prevalence of IC indicates that it is by and large a disease of

the Western world, with rates in the United States as high as 60-70

cases per 100,000 women, whereas in Japan the incidence between 3-4

cases per 100,000 women. The vast majority of patients are white and

has a slightly higher prevalence in Jewish women. The average age at

presentation is about 40 years, although the condition is also found

in children. Patients with IC are more likely to have undergone

prior gynecologic surgery and/or have a history of recurrent UTI and

childhood bladder problems. (Rovner 2005; Frassetto 2005; Berkow 1992)

 

A variety of theories exist to describe the etiology of IC. Due to

the association between IC and diseases such as inflammatory bowel

disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, irritable bowel syndrome,

fibromyalgia, and atopic allergies, the most prominent theories

relate to IC to an autoimmune disorder. (Rovner 2005; Frassetto 2005;

Berkow 1992)

 

Medical treatment

Although no cause has yet been identified, there are a variety of

medical treatments for IC, including bladder distention, bladder

instillation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and

pharmacotherapy.

 

Bladder distension is both a diagnostic and medical procedure in

which the bladder is filled to a pressure of 80 cm of water and kept

distended for 5-10 minutes, under a general anaesthetic. While under

pressure a cystoscope is introduced into the bladder to identify the

glomerulations. The procedure may also help break up the scar tissue

within the bladder wall and bring a short term improvement in the

symptoms, although may increase the risk of infection. Bladder

instillation is a procedure in which the bladder is filled via a

catheter with a solution such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). DMSO

exhibits an anti-inflammatory activity and is given every few weeks

over a 6-8 week period. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

(TENS) is another potentially beneficial medical procedure in which a

weak electric pulse is discharged through electrodes placed on the

lower back, just above the pubic area, or in the vagina or rectum.

Pharmacotherapy consists of drugs such as pentosan polysulfate

sodium, aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and codeine.

Antidepressants or antihistamines are also recommended. (Rovner 2005;

Frassetto 2005; Berkow 1992)

 

Holistic treatment

Given the very high prevalence of IC in the Western world the

condition suggests that environmental factors such as diet and

industrial pollutants such as xenoestrogens are an important factor,

as well overt iatrogenic alterations in the body ecology from the

overuse of antibiotics to treat recurrent cystitis and from medical

instrumentation (e.g. cystoscopy, D & C etc). Portal congestion that

allows the pelvis to be congested is another important factor at play

in IC, and thus addressing liver function is an important part of

resolving this pattern. Symptoms that worsen with menstruation can

be seen to be part of a PMS (P) pattern, which relates to a relative

estrogen excess and the release of proinflammatory prostaglandins:

the latter issue is particularly germane if the patient also display

atopic allergies (see The Human Flower: Reproductive Health and

Botanical Medicine).

 

At one time IC was simply viewed as a neurogenic condition, tiresome

complaining “hysterical” women on the threshold of menopause, and

thus referred to psychiatrists and appropriate medications that would

shut them up. Indeed, IC does appear to have a strong neurogenic

component that needs to be taken into consideration along with

environmental factors, but the underlying emotional mechanisms that

cause IC need to be examined. IC often occurs as part of a complex

of other disorders such as fibromyalgia. In many respects such

diseases can be viewed as a kind of spiritual sickness, and IC

specifically, a condition in which a woman internalizes an urgent

need to resolve her anger (i.e. being “pissed off”), resulting in

urinary urgency and pain. Social situations in which the woman feels

unloved and unsupported, angry and upset at not having her needs met,

can begin to manifest as urinary symptoms. This concept very much

correlates with Chinese medical theory that suggests that feelings of

suspicion and the holding grudges can affect the bladder, or begin to

manifest when the bladder is diseased, creating a viscous cycle

pattern. The holding of such patterns often exhibits other negative

effects upon the body, especially affecting neuroendocrinal function

 

The holistic treatment of IC is orientated towards addressing dietary

and environmental factors, correcting hepatic and menstrual

functions, modulating the immune system, supporting the

neuroendocrinal systems, correcting essentially fatty acid

deficiencies, restoring the body ecology, and treating emotional and

mental factors.

 

1. Dietary changes. Initiate an elimination diet, removing all

potential allergens, e.g. the Paleolithic diet. Increase fiber to

promote alterations in gut flora and the inhibition of deconjugating

enzymes.

 

2. Tone the bladder wall, heal ulcerations and hemorrhages.

•antihemorrhagics: Capsella, Panax notoginseng, Trillium

•urinary tonics: Verbascum root, Chimaphila, Capsella

•demulcents and vulneraries: Althaea, Ulmus, Plantago, Calendula,

Symphytum

 

3. Address hepatic function and correct pelvic circulation

•cholagogues: Taraxacum, Berberis, Boldo, Rumex, Raphanus, Buplerum,

Curcuma

 

4. Modulate immune function.

•immunomodulants: Astragalus, Withania, Schizandra, Ganoderma,

Phyllanthus

•antiinflammatories: Curcuma, Harpagophytum, Phyllanthus, Scutellaria

baicalensis, Tanacetum, Asparagus

 

5. Correct menstruation.

•progesterogenics: Vitex, Paeonia, Verbena

•uterine tonics: Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga, Aletris, Chamaelirium,

Angelica, Rubus

 

6. Support neuroendocrinal function, reduce spasm.

•relaxing nervines: Scutellaria, Humulus, Nepeta,

•adrenal trophorestoratives: Glycyrrhiza, Withania, Eleuthrococcus,

Panax quinquefolium, Turnera

•thyrotropics: Commiphora, Fucus, Iris, Berberis

•antispasmodics: Dioscorea, Piper methysticum, Cimicifuga, Valeriana,

Lobelia, Hyocyamus, Cannabis

 

7. Supplements.

•Vitamin A, 20,000 IU daily

•Vitamin C, 2-3 g daily

•Vitamin D3, 2000-5000 IU daily

•Vitamin E, 600-800 IU daily

•Zinc, 15-30 mg daily

•EPA/DHA, 1000 mg each daily

•Synbotics: 6-8 billion bacteria (e.g. a mixture of Lactobacillus

acidophilus, Bacillus bifidum and Staphylococcus faecium), thrice

daily, with meals

 

8. Spiritual counseling. Assess patient for long-standing issues of

unresolved anger, grudges, and suspicion. Encourage communication

and resolution, trusting a higher power. Flower Essences can be

helpful on this spiritual journey:

•for repressed anger: Black-eyed Susan, Fuschia, Scarlet

Monkeyflower, Willow

•for frustration: Blackberry

•for making positive changes, enhancing self-esteem: Crab Apple,

Centaury, Gentian, Larch

•for menopause: Aloe, Sage, Walnut

 

 

On 26-Jun-07, at 2:16 AM, ayurveda wrote:

> Posted by: " Jane MacRoss " highfield1 janemacross

>

> Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:32 pm (PST)

>

> High dose cranberry capsules should meet all those criteria

>

> Jane

 

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com

[Guest guest]

> High dose cranberry capsules should meet all those criteria

>

 

I am wondering whether this is suitable for the purpose, Jane. My

understanding is that cranberry increases acidity in the urinary

tract, reducing bacteria.

 

However, this is not an infectious, but an inflammatory disorder,

which can be correlated with excess Pitta. Perhaps a herb like

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) would be more appropriate; as it is

Pitta-reducing, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, is cooling and soothing

(demulcent), and specifically addresses urinary tract disorders. It

can be taken as Gokshuradi Guggulu.

 

It is best to visit a qualified practitioner for a proper diagnosis

and prescription.

 

Cheers,

Gerald Lopez,

Auckland, New Zealand.

[Guest guest]

I understood that Cranberry strengthened the bladder wall ......... this is

the aspect I was looking at.

 

Jane

 

 

---- Original Message -----

" peninjaunz " <no_reply >

<snip>

> I am wondering whether this is suitable for the purpose, Jane. My

> understanding is that cranberry increases acidity in the urinary

> tract, reducing bacteria.

<snip>