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Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis - chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. Its cause is usually unknown and the illness itself is usually only diagnosed by ruling out other conditions. It tends to occur around age 30 to 40, women being 10 times more susceptible than men.

Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

Pelvic pain
Urinary discomfort
Increased urinary frequency urgency

Interstitial Cystitis Treatment: First, Diet Modification

There is no cure or standard treatments for Interstitial Cystitis. Most treatment of diet change and medication is based on trial and error until the patient finds relief.

Some patients find that eliminating some of the following foods and beverages known to cause irritation may help control symptoms.

Aged cheeses
Alcohol
Artificial sweeteners
Chocolate
Citrus juices: orange, cranberry, grape, etc.
Coffee and Tea (green tea is better)
Fava and lima beans
Meats that are cured, processed, smoked, canned, aged, or that contain nitrites
Most fruits except blueberries, honeydew melon, and pears
Nuts except almonds, cashews, and pine nuts
Onions
Rye bread
Seasonings with MSG
Sour cream
Sourdough bread
Soy
Tofu
Tomatoes
Yogurt

Interstitial Cystitis Treatment: Second, Medications

A medication called Elmiron is the only medication taken by mouth that is specifically approved for treating IC. It works by coating the bladder like Pepto-Bismol coats the stomach.

Other medicines may include:

Opioid painkillers - for severe pain
Tricyclic antidepressants - to relieve pain and urinary frequency
Vistaril - causes sedation and helps reduce urinary frequency

Interstitial Cystitis: Stronger Treatements

Bladder hydrodistention (filling bladder with fluid)
Bladder training (relaxation techniques to train the bladder and the brain)
Instilled medications - medicines are placed directly into the bladder
Physical therapy and biofeedback (relieves pelvic floor muscle spasms)
Surgeries ranging from cystoscopic manipulation to bladder removal (cystectomy)

Interstitial Cystitis: Tests