IC Wellness Podcast

Many women struggle with hormone imbalance, but because it has been so normalized, we often don't recognize the signs and symptoms. Dr. Akehurst brings her knowledge and expertise on this subject, and it is quite fascinating.  To contact Dr. Carley Akehurst through her website, visit doctorakehurst.com. If you live in the Vancouver, BC area, you can contact her at @mint_integrative. Don't forget to follow her on IG @drcarleyakehurst. 

Rosey Sumrall is a meditation teacher and author of the book Eating for IC. She shares food photography with a focus on mindfulness and gratitude on her Instagram page WellandZen. 

Dr. Heather Jeffcoat is the founder of Fusion Wellness & Famina Physical Therapy in Los Angles. She is also the author of the book Sex Without pain: A Self Treatment Guide to the Sex Life You Deserve. Use the code ICWellness20 and Get 20% off her book at Sexwithoutpain.com 

When oxalates enter the bloodstream and filter through the kidney to enter the bladder, they can form crystals. These oxalate crystals are thought to resemble broken glass structures, which irritate the bladder lining and potentially attach to glycoproteins and form bladder calculi. Following a low oxalate diet can help to reduce exposure to certain foods that are high in oxalates which in turn will decrease irritation to the bladder, bladder pain, urgency, or frequency. https://icwellness.org/blog-post/are-oxalates-to-blame-for-your-ic-pain/

My guest today is Michelle Milheiras, who is the founder of The Happy Pelvis. Michelle lives in Toronto, Canada, and has lived with chronic pelvic pain most of her life. Michelle worked as a designer on one of Canada’s top media companies but in January 2018 had to go on disability following a diagnosis of IC, endo, pelvic floor dysfunction, fibromyalgia, and Lupus. Michelle decided to start her blog, The Happy Pelvis, to document her pelvic health journey and have a creative outlet while unable to work. It has since grown into something that gives her significant meaning and purpose. The Happy Pelvis  

Sending IC into remission, or at minimum reducing symptoms, may not be possible for some unless the obstacles that are interfering with the immune system’s ability to function are addressed and removed. The good news is that once you begin to make the necessary dietary and lifestyle changes to bring about real change, your health will begin to improve. https://icwellness.org/start-here/

Help in on the way! An IC flare can be super frustrating and extremely stressful, but there are things that you can do to begin reducing symptoms!  https://icwellness.org/blog-post/21-things-to-do-if-you-are-experiencing-an-ic-flare/  

Dr. Akehurst stopped by to discuss the signs and symptoms of hormone imbalance and how it affects the bladder. Learn what a normal cycle looks like and how hormones fluctuate naturally throughout the month, how to identify hormone imbalance, whether or not PMS is normal, and what testing options are currently available. Many women struggle with hormone imbalance, but because it has been so normalized, we often don't recognize the signs and symptoms. Dr. Akehurst brings her knowledge and expertise on this subject, and it is quite fascinating.  To contact Dr. Carley Akehurst through her website, visit doctorakehurst.com. If you live in the Vancouver, BC area, you can contact her @mint_integrative. Don't forget to follow her on IG @drcarleyakehurst. 

Tracy Alexis, Ph.D., is the author of the recently published book Interstitial Cystitis: A Personal Journey of COMPLETE Healing!

2020 has been a challenging year for many of us, myself included. In this episode, I share a personal message about life, health, and hope. 

Lisa King, AKA "The Fulfilled Pharmacist," stops by to talk about diet, lifestyle, and mindset. 

Nicole Sachs, LCSW, is a speaker, writer, podcaster, and psychotherapist who has dedicated her work and her practice to the treatment of chronic pain, symptoms, syndromes, and conditions. She is the author of the book The Meaning of Truth, and the online course FREEDOM FROM CHRONIC PAIN. Her brand, The Cure for Chronic Pain, includes a Website, Podcast, and YouTube Channel. Her personal experience, as well as work with thousands of people around the world, have shaped and evolved Nicole’s theories, which serve to teach those suffering how to heal themselves completely with no medication or surgery.  Nicole J. Sachs, LCSW www.thecureforchronicpain.com The Podcast Instagram/IGTV Series: "I Am Evidence" YouTube The Book The Community  

Interstitial cystitis can interrupt your sleep, but identifying root causes will help restore balance so that you can get back to enjoying a good night's rest.     

Learn how to boost immune function for optimal health with integrative and functional nutritionist Brianne Thornton, MS, RD. For additional support or details on what was discussed during this podcast, please visit https://icwellness.org/blog-post/lifestyle-tips-to-boost-immunity/  

Examining histamine intolerance requires a broad approach to see if there is a single root problem or a combination of a few problems. Histamines can also play a role in iC, sleep, mood (anxiety), and PMS. When each of these elements of histamine problems is combined, they can create the perfect storm for histamines to get out of control.

Tracy Benson is a San Diego based integrative health and wellness coach with over 20 years of experience. Tracy’s mission is to educate, support, and empower everyone she works with. Her programs are powerful in their simplicity, designed to enable her clients to live a healthy, balanced life through lasting lifestyle changes. Tracy’s focus has been Worksite Wellness to support corporate wellness initiatives by teaching customized lunch and learn programs.

Brianne and I discuss the best way to use our cookbook so that you are getting enough carbs, calories, and nutrients throughout the day.

Symptoms between IC and UTIs can overlap and there is a reason for this. Additionally, we have access to a few tests that can detect underlying root causes and we know how to address issues that may present. Help is available! 

MRT is a blood test that checks your immune system response to 170 foods, food additives, and chemicals. In this episode of the podcast, integrative and functional nutritionist Brianne Thornton MS, RD, breaks it all down for us and explains why this is the best and most accurate food sensitivity test currently available on the market.

How are you doing? It's week 3 of quarantine and things are getting stressful. We decided to dedicate a special podcast to bladder support health during quarantine. Whether you suffer from chronic UTIs or IC, we share what you can do during this difficult season.