Foods to Avoid With IC

Interstitial cystitis, or IC, is a painful medical condition involving the bladder. Also called painful bladder syndrome, symptoms include urinary urgency, pain upon urination and a generalized discomfort in the pelvic region. Some people who have IC also experience pain during and after sexual intercourse. Certain foods can make your symptoms worse, but the same foods do not always affect people with IC the same way. Trial and error is sometimes the only way to determine which foods to avoid with interstitial cystitis.

Elimination Diet

An elimination diet is the key to avoiding the foods that cause a worsening of IC symptoms. Keep a food journal, a diary in which you list everything you eat, and also jot down notes about your symptoms.You may find for example, every time you eat a spicy curry dish, your pain increases. Once you see a clear pattern between foods you eat, i.e., the curry, eliminate those foods from your diet and assess how you feel. After a month, add foods slowly to determine if they affect your interstitial cystitis. If you continue to experience urinary urgency and pain after re-introducing certain foods, avoid these items completely. The Interstitial Cystitis Association recommends for a year to let your body heal.

Acidic and Spicy

Foods that are spicy or acidic in nature are common bladder and stomach irritants and may add to your discomfort. Tomatoes, vinegar and foods pickled in brines, carbonated soft drinks and citrus fruits all fall into this group. Foods that are also high in vitamin C, though not necessarily spicy or acidic, may also contribute to IC symptoms and should be avoided, such as broccoli. Spices like hot peppers, curries and salsas can be irritating as well.

Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine is a stimulant -- the substance might keep you awake at night or make your heart beat faster -- and it can also irritate your bladder. Stay away from all sources of caffeine including tea, coffee, soft drinks and chocolate. You might find through your food journal that some sources of caffeine affect your painful bladder syndrome more severely than others. Alcohol is another type of beverage to avoid when you have IC.

Sweeteners

Foods sweetened with artificial sweeteners could irritate your bladder too. Check food labels, particularly powdered drink mixes and chewing gum, to determine if aspartame, sucralose or other nonsugar sweeteners are primary ingredients. If these items are increasing your bladder pain, switch to full sugar drinks and snacks as part of an elimination diet.