Mast cells are part of the immune system and are found throughout the body particularly in areas of inflammatory reaction It has been found that those with IC and bladder ulcerative changes(<5% of the IC population) have 5x more mast cells than others with IC Thus those with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) may have a common pathway through excess mast cell production The reason that this becomes important is that the mast cell produces many irritating molecules that may mediate the pain complex that is present
There is a functional relationship between mast cell production and the autonomic nervous system which is the part of the nervous system that causes the bladder to function If the nervous system becomes hyperexcitable or extra nervous then this will in and of stimulate mast cell arousal This begins the cascade of molecular events that leads to the release of NGF, TNF, histamines, endokrines, and other modulating molecules that cause irritability
So the next question is “Why does the nervous system become irritable in the pelvic area?” This becomes a problem from the matter science point of view because the model cannot hold the space to allow an answer But the energy science model can explain the origin of the nervous system behavior based on the qualities that emanate from the lower rectum and come to reside in the pelvic nerves, both somatic and autonomic
This becomes a big deal as it gets to the heart of the origin of the IC bladder pain syndrome
In the energy science of Ayurveda there is a dictum that there is no pain without the Vata energy pattern So it’s not surprising that all pain syndromes have Vata involvement energetically mediated molecularly through the nervous system
1 Basti downregulates mast cell production by changing nerve plexus irritation This is a time honored way to deal with Vata imbalance which disturbs nervous tissue There are many forms of basti both internal and external Internal basti is done by placing herbal decoctions with oil, usually sesame, into the lower rectum by enema bag Many people with IC have been poked and jabbed by instruments or tubes going into the bladder Why would a comfortable placement of a tube into the lower rectum through the anus be such a big deal? So self done enemas can be a major step toward controlling the imbalance in the pelvic nerves and in so doing influence mast cell production and the symptoms of fatigue, cognitive disruption, sleep disorders, mood disorders, and general malaise
2 PeaPure or palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is actually a glial cell modulator(nervous system immune cells) that impacts mast cell formation through its interaction with NGF Its mode of action is more than likely by affecting the nervous system which induces the mast cells to begin with Due to the work of Nobel Price Laureate Rita Levi Montalcini who was the first to identify PEA as a mast cell inhibitor in 1993 Based on her work PEA has been extensively used as a analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound since the last decade, especially in the countries were PEA is available, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands It’s available as a nutraceutical in 400mg tablets
3 LDN(Low Dose Naltrexone) has been shown to be effective in forms of chronic pain syndrome It is a novel anti-inflammatory agent in the central nervous system, via action on microglial cells and may represent one of the first glial cell modulators to be used for the management of chronic pain disorders As a daily oral therapy, LDN is inexpensive and well-tolerated
Get every new post delivered to your Inbox
Join other followers
Leave a Reply