With symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection, it takes an average of 4 years from the onset of interstitial cystitis to receive a proper diagnosis, according to the National Institutes of Health. This painful condition causes inflammation of bladder wall tissue. However, no standard course of treatment applies to everyone and it often takes trial and error to find the most effective management strategy. No special diet exists to address interstitial cystitis, but research suggests certain foods trigger symptoms in a large number of sufferers.
Research
An article published in the July 2007 issue of ''The Journal of Urology'' notes that 90 percent of people who have interstitial cystitis report a worsening of their symptoms after consuming certain foods and beverages. By conducting a diet survey of 104 people diagnosed with the condition, researchers sought to uncover the most common offenders. Coffee, tea, soda, alcoholic beverages, citrus fruits and juices, artificial sweeteners and spicy foods topped the list. Another study, published in the January 2011 issue of ''Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery'' took a similar tack by asking members of the Interstitial Cystitis Association to rate 344 foods, beverages, spices, condiments and supplements. Of the respondents, 95 percent noted that certain items exacerbated their symptoms. This study uncovered similar findings to the aforementioned one, with the addition of tomatoes and supplemental vitamin C to the list of problem items.
''Safe'' Foods
Certain foods seem less likely to worsen symptoms of interstitial cystitis, according to the Overactive Bladder and Interstitial Cystitis Foundation, although no guarantees exist if will not bother you personally. A partial list of ''good'' items includes water, red bush tea, pear juice, refined breads and pastas, poultry, beef, lamb, veal, flounder, halibut, salmon, snapper, scallops, cream cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, cucumbers, cauliflower, kale, leeks, squash, chickpeas, peas, kidney beans, navy beans, aduki beans, apricots, pears, pickled plums, white chocolate, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, marjoram, fennel, sage, dill, pine nuts, cashews and almonds.
Eating Tips
The study published in 2011 in ''Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery' found a number of respondents noted that consuming baking soda or calcium glycerophosphate before their meals helped ease diet-related symptom aggravation. Pub Med Health notes that although cranberry juice is often recommended for urinary tract infections, it can make IC symptoms worse.
Importance of Tracking Your Diet
To best utilize diet as tool for controlling your condition, you must take the time to do some diet detective work. Keep a food diary, noting what you eat and how it makes you feel. Experiment with an elimination diet, where you cut out certain foods you believe trigger your symptoms and slowly add them back in to see how they affect you. Work with a doctor experienced in conducting this type of diet to make sure you do it properly.
References
- ''Journal of Urology''; Effect of Comestibles on Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis;B.Shorter, et al.;July 2007
- ''Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery'';Dietary Consumption Triggers in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Patients;
- The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation:Trigger Foods; D.O. Bassaly-Renee, et al.;January 2011
- Pub Med Health; Interstitial Cystitis; June 2010
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