Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection. It's a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly in women, and is usually more of a nuisance than a cause for serious concern.
Foods & Drinks That Fight Bladder Pain
If you feel your bladder pain flaring up, you can consume certain foods that will actively soothe the pain. Vegetables such as corn, oatmeal, peas, quinoa, and potatoes fight bladder pain – along with zucchini bread and ricotta cheese.
Healthcare providers often recommend certain lifestyle changes, such as lowering your intake of possible bladder irritants (including caffeine and foods or beverages with a high concentration of vitamin C), wearing loose clothing, practicing stress management techniques, and quitting smoking, for further help in ...
Water. Water is almost always the best drink to reach for. Drinking water can bring so many benefits to the body, including: Flushing the bladder of bacteria.
It usually takes weeks to months before symptoms improve. Even with successful treatment, the condition may not be cured. It is simply in remission. But, most patients can get significant relief of their symptoms and lead a normal life with treatment.
Milk/Dairy Products Avoid: aged cheeses, sour cream, yogurt and choco- late. Okay to try: white chocolate, non-aged cheeses such as cottage or American, frozen yogurt and milk. Vegetables Avoid: fava beans, lima beans, onions, tofu, soy beans & soy-based products, and tomatoes.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) or Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS) or IC/BPS is an issue of long-term bladder pain. It may feel like a bladder or urinary tract infection, but it's not. It is a feeling of discomfort and pressure in the bladder area that lasts for six weeks or more with no infection or other clear cause.
Bladder infections can lead to inflammation of the bladder (cystitis). Symptoms include pain and burning with urination, increased frequency of urination and sometimes abdominal pain. The inflammation usually improves after a course of antibiotics.
Noninfectious cystitis can be due to a variety of causes, such as medication, radiation, foreign bodies, chemicals, autoimmune response, and may even be idiopathic in nature such as interstitial cystitis (IC); it may also occur in association with other diseases such as, gynecological cancer, PID, and Crohn's disease.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an inflamed or irritated bladder wall. It can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder. The bladder can't hold as much urine as it did in the past. It is a chronic disorder.
By staying hydrated and drinking sufficient amounts of water, many women can avoid recurrent cystitis infections.
However, some people with IC find that certain foods or drinks trigger or worsen their symptoms. Coffee, soda, alcohol, tomatoes, hot and spicy foods, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices and drinks, MSG, and high-acid foods can trigger IC symptoms or make them worse.
Blueberries are one of the safest fruits for IC patients. And mid to late summer is the perfect time to find fresh blueberries. While a bowl of blueberries is a delicious snack, there are lots of IC friendly blueberry recipes that can be a great way to enjoy the fruit as well.
Heat & Cold Therapy
Depending on the type of flare-up, the application of heat and cold therapy can prove helpful in reducing the pain and inflammation linked to Interstitial Cystitis.
Drink water.
Staying hydrated is vital. Aim to drink at least two liters, about 64 ounces, of water daily. This rule holds true for most, unless they have a condition like a heart problem or are following their doctor's advice. Drinking water throughout the day helps to dilute urine and prevent kidney stones.
IC/BPS may feel different from person to person. Some people only feel mild discomfort. Others feel a lot of pain and sudden, frequent urges to pee (urinate).
If you have urinary pain that lasts for more than 6 weeks and is not caused by other conditions like infection or kidney stones, you may have IC. No matter what it's called, interstitial cystitis symptoms bring a lot of challenges. The disease can affect your social life, exercise, sleep, and even your ability to work.
Blueberries, bananas, watermelon, pears, papaya, and apricots are generally “safe” fruits that should not irritate the bladder.
As a quick summary, bladder irritating foods and beverages include: Processed foods. Spicy foods. Dairy, especially aged cheese and sour cream.
Tomatoes – The acidity in tomatoes may irritate your bladder. Foods that contain tomatoes, such as pasta or pizza sauce, ketchup and salsa, may also affect symptoms. Citrus fruits – Foods like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are also acidic and can affect bladder control.