Dr. Tracy Alexis

Minimize the opportunity for UTIs

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:41:00 -0700

It's worth repeating that, to minimize the opportunity for UTIs that can result from having intercourse, you should:

* Empty your bladder BEFORE intercourse

* Drink 8 to 12 ounces of water BEFORE intercourse

* Empty your bladder IMMEDIATELY AFTER intercourse

Following this simple process will help reduce opportunities for bacteria to be pushed into the urethra during intercourse (flushing your bladder immediate after intercourse helps push any bacteria that might have entered your urethra out before it reaches your bladder and begins to grow a bacterial infection/UTI).

Praying for your COMPLETE Healing! <3

Exercising with Interstitial Cystitis

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 09:39:47 -0700

I receive a LOT of outreach from women (especially women, but sometimes men, too) about exercising with Interstitial Cystitis (IC).

It is worth repeating that because IC is a very traumatically debilitating unknown medical anomaly doctors do NOT know how to successfully treat or cure (yet), movement for IC sufferers MUST be gentle!

I strongly encourage Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, or walking PAIRED with the "Breath of Fire" (to help move blood more vigorously through your venous system). If you've never heard of the Breath of Fire, I suggest you enter it into your preferred internet search engine and learn how to do it. With the right movement and breathing, you can improve your overall health AND realize improvements with your IC.

If you don't know how to do Yoga, Pilates or Tai Chi, again, a search engine of your choice can help you find everything from "easy" to more "difficult" (yet gentle). If walking, I strongly suggest getting to the freshest air possible (meaning, not on a sidewalk that is next to a busy street because you'll be inhaling exhaust fumes, not fresh air).

Happy Breathing & Stretching!

Encouragement for Dealing with Health Care Providers

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 18:18:51 -0700

I want to offer encouragement for everyone who is dealing with a medical issue (whether or not it is IC or PBS).

IF, for any reason, your health care provider DOES NOT treat you with dignity and respect, PLEASE FIND A DIFFERENT PROVIDER!

This is VERY important, because YOU are an IMPORTANT co-participant in your healing journey. So, if your complaints are being dismissed or your doc says, "oh, that wouldn't have happened because [fill in the blank]," this is dismissive behavior...Why would you want to pay them to treat you so deceptively. Yes, it's deception (and dismissive and denigrating) when ANY provider fails to recognize you live in your own body and KNOW your pain/discomfort...or they fail to acknowledge your genuine investment in your own health.

DEMAND respect from your treating provider, because s/he cannot heal you (or help you in any way) without your participation. Providers must treat you as the equal, important co-participant that you are along this healing journey. If they do not, then do yourself a favor and move on to someone who does. In the long-run, you'll be glad you sought a provider that understands and acknowledges your own emotional, psychological and physical investment in the healing process!

As always, I'm praying for your COMPLETE Healing! If you need help with self-advocacy, I provide private consultations at drtracyalexis@gmail.com.

Now Available as an Audiobook or... What I did During the Pandemic

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 14:57:44 -0700

Hello everyone! I would just like to thank everyone who is following me - either on my webpage, via Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, etc. The pandemic took quite a toll on getting my audiobook completed. Nevertheless, we persevered and finally prevailed, thanks in VERY large part to my technical guru and dear friend, John Cline of JCP Multimedia. John takes care of his mother who turns 100 later next month (August 30th, to be exact), and due to the pandemic, we waited to record the audiobook until we were all vaccinated. Between traveling, quarantining, getting vaxed and regular "life," we were finally able to record the clips for the audiobook. Then, of course, they had to be edited, uploaded and "approved" by the audiobook platform.

I am very HAPPY to announce, the efforts finally came to fruition. Thank you to each of you who were waiting on the audiobook for your patience! Once uploaded, the clips were authorized for distribution on the FIRST ATTEMPT. Whew! What a blessing...and my heartfelt hope is that the audiobook is a blessing to those who suffer from Interstitial Cystitis and/or Fibromyalgia. Again, thank you for following me...and please:

Stay safe and be well!

Personal Grooming and UTIs

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 21:39:43 -0700

"Lately a LOT of women have been asking for information on shaving versus going natural. Let me share my own story: For years, I shaved because it was the preference of my partner (easy access, etc.) and during those same years I experienced frequent UTIs. Now days, I opt to lady-scape (trim) verses going completely shaved. The hair serves a purpose: It reduces the opportunity for foeign, potentially bacteria-laden particles to enter into the urethra, much the same as nasal hairs trap and prevent harmful allergens from entering into our bodies via our nasal passages. I realize the decision to shave, lady-scape or go natural is a subject-matter that often hinges on relationship status and personal comfort or preferences. Ultimately, these decisions are always yours to make. However, if you are experiencing frequent UTIs and you shave, may I suggest you think about a close trim versus complete removal? If you decide to try this, please let me know your own results (fewer UTIs, more/less friction burns, more/less painful urination, etc.).

As always, I'm praying for your COMPLETE Healing!"

Healthy Bladder Tip #9

Thu, 10 Jun 2021 11:30:43 -0700

Reduce or eliminate Caffeine from your beverage intake!

Most individuals drink coffee or caffeinated colas to "wake up" and become more alert. Caffeine is highly acidic, and acidity is a known irritant for IC. Caffeine is also a stimulant, so If you are experiencing a UTI, caffeine can stimulate the bacteria to grow faster in your bladder and the infection can worsen.

Carbonation, in colas and other beverages, creates a bladder environment that is conducive to bacterial growth (meaning a UTI). High-fructose corn syrup (an ingredient in most colas) is metabolized by our bodies into yet more acidity, and it therefore is a recipe for painful, burning urination and possibly a full blown "flare."

LOVE YOURSELF!!! LOVE YOUR BLADDER!

Using what works...

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 16:24:13 -0700

It is important to recognize that your IC diagnosis has some information that will be applicable to you (or right for you) and some information that will be inapplicable (wrong for you). So, I suggest you "eat the chicken and throw away the bones." Take what works for YOU(chicken) and toss what doesn't (bones)!

Healthy Bladder Tip #8

Wed, 26 May 2021 14:16:11 -0700

A healthy bladder is less likely to become infected with a Urinary TractInfection (UTI). There are two differentways to minimize getting a UTI.

The first is: A combination of CranberryFruit Extract (4200 mg/daily; available at www.puritan.com in the U.S.) pairedwith Vitamin C (two, 500 mg doses - one in a.m. and on in p.m.; available at:www.swanson.com in the U.S.). This combination creates a hostile bladderenvironment for bacterial growth - UTIs are bacterial infections. Beware: some IC-sufferers might not tolerate the acidity of the high doseVitamin C.

The second is: You might like to try a product named, D-Mannos®(available at most Sprouts, Whole Foods and otherhealthy lifestyle retailers) that asserts a "healthy bladder" withoutthe added acidity of the Vitamin C referenced in option 1, above.

Remember, very few IC-sufferers experience the same pain, symptoms, pathology, disease course, etc. Stated differently, each IC-suffererexperiences their IC differently (which is at the very core of the mix-up that makes IC such a challenge for doctors and scientists to untangle). There are certainly commonalities (e.g.,compromised bladder function, painful urination, urethra pain, burning urine, etc.), yet medically, we each present ourselves differently (e.g., pelvic floordysfunction, vaginismus, Hunner's lesions, endometriosis, Mast Cells, prolapse, etc.).

Healthy Bladder Tip #7

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 11:38:39 -0700

Drink LOTS of water before intercourse and empty your bladder after intercourse to minimize opportunities for UTIs. Activity can push bacteria closer to the urethra opening and increase the potential for UTIs. Cleansing the urethra after sex by urinating immediately following intercourse is a great way to flush out any bacteria that may be near the urethra opening, reducing the chance for the bacteria to enter the urethra and travel into the bladder.

Healthy Bladder Tip #6

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 11:37:03 -0700

Ladies, do Kegel (and plank) exercises to maintain a healthy core and strengthen pelvic muscles. When done correctly, these exercises can help prevent and treat mild urinary incontinence and reduce the chances of prolapsed organs. Despite that many so-called experts assert that core strengthening exercises are antithetical for IC-sufferers, they are not…a strong pelvic floor is essential for those who have an IC diagnosis or diminished bladder health.