Bladder Help

All About Kombucha

ByLayla | On December 04,17 | 0 Comment

Today I’d like to tell you all about kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented beverage made out of tea and sugar. Sounds like some pretty unhealthy ingredients but the end result may actually be really healthy.

The tea and sugar are fermented with the help of a so called SCOBY (symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast). SCOBYs look like some kind of giant mushroom and are therefore also referred to as kombucha mushroom. The bacteria and yeasts in the SCOBY eat the sugar and tea which creates a sour tasting and carbonated drink that reminds me of cider.

Recipes, Uncategorized

Bone Broth Powder – Portable Bone Broth for Travelling

ByLayla | On November 19,17 | 4 Comments

Bone broth has many health benefits and was one of the tools I used to recover from interstitial cystitis.

However, it is not very practical as a staple for people who are on the go a lot. It is now possible to buy bone broth powder online but it comes with a hefty price tag.

Therefore, I have tried to make my own for when I’m travelling and still want to consume bone broth. It is a bit work intensive but relatively cheap.

Conditions, Interstitial Cystitis

Is Interstitial Cystitis Really Just One Disease?

ByLayla | On November 15,17 | 1 Comment

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder condition that, in the research, is usually described as being of ‘unknown etiology’ [1] i.e. the true cause is unknown.

Several researchers have suggested that IC should be called ‘Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)’ or ‘Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)’ [2].

When we talk about a syndrome (such as IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome), we normally talk about an array of similar symptoms for which the causes are not known or for which several causes could exist.

If you’ve been following my blog, you will have seen several articles about different root causes of IC. This begs the question: is IC really just one disease? Or could it be several conditions, resulting in similar symptoms in the bladder?

IC Stories

My Year on the GAPS Diet

ByLayla | On November 06,17 | 12 Comments

Some of you have probably read my story on how I healed for interstitial cystitis and have seen me mention that the GAPS diet played a role in this.

Today I’d like to share a bit more about my experience with this diet – this is an old post from another blog of mine (that I have since abandoned) but since I’ve gotten a couple of questions about my experience with GAPS I thought it would be good to share it here again.

Conditions, Cystitis

The Importance of Stomach Acid for (Bladder) Health

ByLayla | On November 01,17 | 24 Comments

The stomach and its acid secretion may seemingly be unrelated to bladder health but as a matter of fact, stomach acid plays an important role in overall health – as a first line of defense for our immune system, in protein digestion and nutrient absorption.

Many may think of stomach acid in relation to heartburn/GERD, which affects up to 27 % of adults [1] and has risen recent years. As a result, antacids are the 7^th most popular personal care product in the US alone, with sales of many million dollars [2].

However, the symptoms for low and high stomach acid are very similar. While high stomach acid can definitely be very irritating, low stomach acid may have more far reaching consequences.

Protocols

Tips for Tackling Inflammation

ByLayla | On October 23,17 | 0 Comment

Last week I’ve written about the role that chronic inflammation plays in chronic disease, including bladder conditions such as interstitial cystitis.

Today I’d like to look at lab tests for inflammation and also dietary options and supplements that may help reduce inflammation.

Conditions, Interstitial Cystitis, Overactive Bladder

Inflammation: The Underlying Problem of All Chronic Disease

ByLayla | On October 08,17 | 1 Comment

There are different forms of Inflammation, ranging from acute to chronic. Inflammation plays an important part in the immune response and is designed to help us survive – it is the immune system’s response to infections and injury.

The inflammatory response has helped us to survive in the evolutionary environment. Throughout evolution, the inflammatory response has stayed the same – our environment however, has changed drastically in the past couple of centuries (not a long time in evolutionary terms!).

The changes in our environment are thought to parallel the rise in chronic disease. Could inflammation be one of the reasons?

Recipes

How To Make Ghee (And Why You Should)

ByLayla | On October 01,17 | 0 Comment

I am in the process of moving over some of the posts from an older blog about healthy lifestyle that I have kind of lost interest in writing. Therefore, some posts may not be directly related to bladder conditions but to a healthy lifestyle overall, which (in my opinion) is key to overcoming chronic health problems. Here is another recipe for you that may come in useful when changing to a ‘real food’ diet. This post explains how to make ghee (clarified butter) and the benefits of ghee.

Interstitial Cystitis, Protocols

Medical Marijuana for Interstitial Cystitis

ByLayla | On September 25,17 | 9 Comments

Most people will know about marijuana as a recreational drug. But in recent years marijuana has gained more and more popularity as a medical drug for various chronic disorders, often in relation to pain. Today I’d like to look at medical marijuana for interstitial cystitis.

Could it relieve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis or even effectively treat it?

Recipes

Chicken Courgetti Soup

ByLayla | On September 18,17 | 0 Comment

Chicken courgetti soup is a great grain-free and IC-friendly replacement for traditional chicken noodle soup. It includes bone broth, a great food for the bladder.