Interstitial cystitis
What is interstitial cystitis?
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis
Causes of interstitial cystitis
Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for interstitial cystitis
What is interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is recurring pain in the bladder and surrounding pelvic region. It is sometimes called bladder pain syndrome (BPS) or painful bladder syndrome (PBS).
The bladder wall can become irritated, scarred and stiff. Because of the frequent urination associated with this condition, the bladder does not regularly stretch from full to empty. This makes it more prone to infection because bacteria and fungi are not properly flushed out. However, the cause of IC is not bladder infection. Symptoms of IC may resemble symptoms of a urinary tract infection but urine cultures from IC sufferers are often free of bacteria and fungi.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis
Warning: bladder infection, urinary stones and other causes can also cause IC-like symptoms.
- Pain around the bladder or pelvic region. It may be chronic or recurring, and range from mild discomfort, pressure or tenderness through to intense pain.
- Persistent need to urinate frequently while passing a low volume of urine. Excessive relief after urinating.
- Vaginal pain during sexual intercourse.
- Women's symptoms often get worse during menstruation.
Causes of interstitial cystitis
Researchers do not agree on the specific causes of IC. It seems to be an inflammatory condition in which the bladder is particularly affected. The protective lining of the bladder is compromised, allowing some of the chemicals in the urine to leak through, further causing an autoimmune reaction.
It is telling that many people (particularly women) with IC also have irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia.
- Pathogenic infection in other parts of the body.
- Allergies.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Lack of healthy bacteria in the gut.
Prevention / remedies / cures / treatment for interstitial cystitis
If you use any of these remedies, please come back next week (or whenever you have an outcome) and let us know about your experience. Please leave a comment as many people are interested.
See details of remedies recommended by Grow Youthful visitors, and their experience with them.
- DMSO. This is the first remedy to try if you suffer from interstitial cystitis.
- MSM.
- ACV.
- Probiotics.
- Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda).
- Iodine.