http://newsroom.cumc.columbia.edu/blog/2013/09/19/bladder-progenitors-discovered/
This research may prove to be very useful in the advancement of Interstitial Cystitis. However, I do not beleive that IC is a disease of the bladder really. It is a disease of the small intestine and lymphatic system. Thus, I also believe that addressing the lining of the bladder may help with the assistance of lowering pain for the duration of the process of regaining health, but, I think that it will not touch the actual disease state itself. This process must be focused on the small intestine and the way in which it became imbalanced and the degree to which it has infiltrated the lymphatic system.
The term that was coined in my dissertation-LOWgrade Microbial Translocation is my version of Leaky Gut/SIBO-but explained in a different way. At present, it is my opinion that there are no truly accurate ways to test for the delicate detail of this condition, but I feel sure there will be. Interestly, in Chinese medical texts there is a delineation between the small intestine and the bladder creating bladder infection and symptomology. I cannot imagine really how the forefathers of Chinese medicine came to the conclusions they did. But, this one, in it's way was right on-almost. This syndrome speaks about stress effecting the small intestine and then goes on to effect the bladder and causes infection. Well, yes-but, it IC is not an infection in the classic sense. It is, a lowgrade chronic infectious condition of sorts. And stress does effect the body as do so many of the things that we take in from our environement and our diet and the medicines we choose to treat ourselves with. All of these things effect our small intestine and within it, the lymph cells. As we all know now 70% of our immune system is housed within our small intestines. Incredible.
This is why there are so many co-existing chronic ailments in people having one chronic ailment. This is also why typically with IC, one will see low WBC counts. The lymph is fatigued from the ongoing fbattle it has been contending with. As inflammation goes down however, WBC normalize. Other counts also normalize as the inflammation goes down because the primary reason for the changes is the condition itself rather than a primary cause itself.
I am just getting back on track from being away-will post more on this in the days to come. I had big plans to do some of this while I was awya, but, that didn't turn out. I was budy learning about the incredible people of Costa Rica. Such a beautiful people and culture and country! I learned alot about them and in doing so, it taught be even more about life and the importance of just basic living and being and happiness. I am blassed to have been able to go and have that experience for me and for my family-especially my children who, when asked said their favorite part of the trip was the people!
Dr. M
