Chronic Interstitial Cystitis is a common condition in women, which can be very irritating. This condition presents with symptoms such as
> Constant urge to urinate
> Burning on urination
> Dark, cloudy urine (possibly blood tinged)
> Pain above pubic bone
All, which can be very similar to the presentation of a urinary tract infection, caused by common bacteria such as E. coli and other bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the frustrating part of this condition is that when the urine is cultured from someone suffering from Chronic Interstitial Cystitis is that there is no bacteria present in the urine. Therefore, interstitial cystitis is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion, when all other problems (adhesions, IBS, bladder cancer, urethral diverticulum, vaginitis, etc) have been ruled out.
Some conventional treatments for Interstitial Cystitis include
> Oral medications: anti-histamines, tricyclic anti-depressants, analgesics, anti-inflammatories
> Electrical stimulation
Integrative medical treatments include
> Acupuncture
> Biofeedback
> Electrical stimulation
> Hypnosis
> Bladder reeducation training
> Dietary factors and nutrition (restriction of acidic foods, garlic, cranberry juice, L-arginine, quercitin, glycosaminoglycans, Magnesium, and Vitamin E)
Just for some clarification…
L-arginine? What is that? Although conflicting studies are within the scientific literature, L-arginine is an amino acid precursor to the creation of nitric oxide, which plays a role in the relaxation of urinary tract smooth muscle, helping to void urine more easily through the urethra. Similar to the action of L-arginine, magnesium is a major component of relaxing smooth muscle cells (very useful in hypertension, as well as chronic closure of the urethra).
Quercitin is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables, that has the effect to reduce inflammation with chronic interstitial cystitis patients. GLycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a major component of connective tissue structure, and are highly concentrated in the bladder wall. Addition of glycosaminoglycans can be helpful with healing the bladder wall tissue, particularly in combination with quercitin, the anti-inflammatory agent mentioned previously. Vitamin E is also an anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant agent, highly protective to lipid membranes by scavenging free radicals.
One of the patients that I manage at the school clinic swears by her “Cystitis Concoction“, which includes white vinegar, garlic, and ginger to clear up any problems associated with the onset of her cystitis symptoms. Have you tried anything that works for this condition? I’d love to read about it, please comment below!
This is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please see a licensed health care provider for more assistance.
References
Gaby, Alan lan R. Nutritional Medicine. 2011.
MDConsult. Pizzorno, Joseph. “Interstitial Cystitis”
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/441831-overview
1 Comment
Chronic Interstitial Cystitis is a common condition in women, which can be very irritating. This condition presents with symptoms such as > Constant urge to urinate
> Burning on urination
> Dark, cloudy urine (possibly blood tinged)
> Pain above pubic bone
All, which can be very similar to the presentation of a urinary tract infection, caused by common bacteria such as E. coli and other bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the frustrating part of this condition is that when the urine is cultured from someone suffering from Chronic Interstitial Cystitis is that there is no bacteria present in the urine. Therefore, interstitial cystitis is mainly a diagnosis of exclusion, when all other problems (adhesions, IBS, bladder cancer, urethral diverticulum, vaginitis, etc) have been ruled out.
Some conventional treatments for Interstitial Cystitis include > Oral medications: anti-histamines, tricyclic anti-depressants, analgesics, anti-inflammatories
> Electrical stimulation
Integrative medical treatments include > Acupuncture
> Biofeedback
> Electrical stimulation
> Hypnosis
> Bladder reeducation training
> Dietary factors and nutrition (restriction of acidic foods, garlic, cranberry juice, L-arginine, quercitin, glycosaminoglycans, Magnesium, and Vitamin E)
Just for some clarification…
L-arginine? What is that? Although conflicting studies are within the scientific literature, L-arginine is an amino acid precursor to the creation of nitric oxide, which plays a role in the relaxation of urinary tract smooth muscle, helping to void urine more easily through the urethra. Similar to the action of L-arginine, magnesium is a major component of relaxing smooth muscle cells (very useful in hypertension, as well as chronic closure of the urethra).
Quercitin is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables, that has the effect to reduce inflammation with chronic interstitial cystitis patients. GLycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a major component of connective tissue structure, and are highly concentrated in the bladder wall. Addition of glycosaminoglycans can be helpful with healing the bladder wall tissue, particularly in combination with quercitin, the anti-inflammatory agent mentioned previously. Vitamin E is also an anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant agent, highly protective to lipid membranes by scavenging free radicals.
One of the patients that I manage at the school clinic swears by her “Cystitis Concoction“, which includes white vinegar, garlic, and ginger to clear up any problems associated with the onset of her cystitis symptoms. Have you tried anything that works for this condition? I’d love to read about it, please comment below!
This is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please see a licensed health care provider for more assistance.
References Gaby, Alan lan R. Nutritional Medicine. 2011.
MDConsult. Pizzorno, Joseph. “Interstitial Cystitis”
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/441831-overview