When you suffer from a chronic illness, what you eat can make a difference in how you feel. Food choices can prevent or decrease symptoms or reduce your risk of complications. Both irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, and interstitial cystitis can be managed by making changes to your diet. Both, however, have different guidelines. Talk to your doctor or dietitian about how your diet can help you manage these diseases.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a condition characterized by pain in the bladder and surrounding pelvic area. Symptoms can vary and include mild discomfort, tenderness or severe pain in the bladder or pelvic area. The exact cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown, but people with this condition also have other painful conditions such as IBS or fibromyalgia, and it is believed it may be a manifestation of general organ inflammation. There is no cure for interstitial cystitis, but it is managed with medication and lifestyle changes that include making modifications to your diet.
Diet for Interstitial Cystitis
Making changes to your diet is one of the first steps used in treating interstitial cystitis, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association. Certain foods may trigger your symptoms, although trigger foods differ from person to person. Avoiding common foods that cause symptoms and closely monitoring your intake and reactions to other foods can help you determine which foods work and which do not. Foods that cause the most problems include alcohol, coffee, tomatoes, citrus juices, caffeinated drinks, tea, carbonated drinks, foods with artificial sweeteners and hot peppers.
IBS
IBS is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders In the United States, affecting one in five adults, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders. IBS affects your digestive system and causes bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. While IBS causes a lot of discomfort, it does not lead to more serious illnesses such as cancer. Like interstitial cystitis, management of IBS includes medication and lifestyle changes that include changes to your diet.
Diet for IBS
Your diet for IBS depends on your symptoms. If you have issues with constipation, it is recommended that you follow a diet high in fiber -- aiming for 20 to 35 g a day -- by including plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes in your diet to help regulate your bowel movements and improve your symptoms. If you have issues with diarrhea, it is recommended that you limit your fiber intake and follow a low-residue diet, including more soft cooked fruits, canned fruits, refined-flour food items and tender meats.
References
- RD411; Interstitial Cystitis and Diet; November 2008
- Interstitial Cystitis Association; AUA & ACOG Clinical Guidelines; April 2011
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Irritable Bowel Syndrome Diet; 2002
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; September 2007
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders; Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome; December 2009
