Internal cystitis is a health condition that affects approximately 500,000 people, 90 percent of them women, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Internal cystitis is a chronic condition that develops when the bladder becomes inflamed. This leads to the development of scar tissue, stiffness in the bladder wall, a decrease in the amount of urine the bladder can hold and even bleeding or ulceration of the bladder. Physicians have tools, such as bladder distension and nerve stimulation, to treat internal cystitis, however there are a variety of natural remedies that can reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of internal cystitis as well.
Diet Changes
There is no scientific data that backs up the theory of diet changes as a treatment for internal cystitis, according to the UMMC. However, anecdotal evidence suggests it may help. Avoid chocolate, caffeine, tomatoes, alcohol, citrus and artificial sweeteners. Monitor your symptoms during this time to determine if you benefit from removing the foods from your diet.
Add Exercise
Internal cystitis can make exercising difficult. The pressure and need for frequent urination is a challenge, but according to the UMMC, exercise can improve the symptoms of internal cystitis. Add gentle exercises such as walking, swimming or riding on a recumbent bicycle. Riding a traditional bicycle, running or other high impact sports may exasperate symptoms rather than improve them.
Train the Bladder
Training the bladder can be an effective way to lengthen the period of time that you are able to go without visiting a restroom. Develop a schedule for bathroom breaks that has a reasonable amount of time between each break. Resist the urge to visit the restroom between breaks by distracting yourself or using relaxation techniques such as deep breathing. After you become confident that you can maintain that schedule, gradually increase the amount of time between visits. You may also want to talk to your physician about pelvic floor physiotherapy, a process of strengthening and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles to reduce spasms and increase strength.
Miscellaneous Tools
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes and skip the belt, which places unnecessary pressure on the abdominal area. Reduce stress through meditation, deep breathing or other methods. People who suffer from internal cystitis and smoke should stop smoking. Take frequent warm baths to help reduce inflammation and relax the pelvic muscles. Finally, work on improving your posture. Proper posture will reduce unnecessary pressure on your bladder.
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