Interstitial cystitis, or IC, is a chronic and incurable illness that affects the urinary bladder and pelvic region. It causes pain and symptoms that have a negative impact on quality of life. Cayenne may help, but you’ll need to talk to your doctor because as of November 2011, it is still an alternative, rather than mainstream, treatment option.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is also called painful bladder syndrome because it causes recurring pain in the bladder and pelvic area. The IC diagnosis includes any case of urinary or bladder pain that isn’t caused by other medical conditions. IC is not caused by an infection and does not respond to antibiotic therapy. The symptoms include the frequent or urgent need to urinate, feelings of burning or pressure, and pain that ranges from mild to intense discomfort. People with severe IC may need to urinate as often as 60 times a day. There is no cure for IC, but some medications and a procedure called bladder instillation improve symptoms. During a bladder instillation, a solution is inserted into the bladder through a catheter and held for about 15 minutes before being expelled. The solution may contain medication, such as DMSO, that reduces inflammation and prevents muscle contractions that cause pain and urinary frequency.
Cayenne
Cayenne is a large red pepper known for its spicy hot flavor. It is used to season a variety of dishes, but it's best known as the prominent seasoning in Sichuan cuisine. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in cayenne. It may prevent or slow the growth of cancer, it dilates the veins to lower blood pressure, and it relieves pain, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Used in traditional medicine to aid digestion, improve circulatory problems and relieve muscle and arthritic pain, it is available to relieve pain and treat cluster headaches, symptoms of arthritis, psoriasis and neuralgia.
Relationship
The body has receptors, called transient receptor channels, that detect painful stimuli and send signals through the nerves to alert the brain. One known channel specifically detects capsaicin and pain related to heat. Repeated application of capsaicin desensitizes these nerves, resulting in less pain, according to a study conducted by scientists collaborating from six universities. Their research, published in the April 2009 issue of "Brain Research Reviews," states that capsaicin pain receptors are involved in pain associated with interstitial cystitis. Capsaicin can be used in a bladder instillation to desensitize pain receptors, according to Monterey Bay Urology Associates.
Considerations
Even though capsaicin is acknowledged for its relation to the interstitial cystitis and its potential to help relieve symptoms, as of November 2011, it is still an alternative treatment. IC can be a debilitating disease that interferes with daily quality of life, interrupts sleep, causes depression and gets worse over time. If you’re not finding the relief you need, talk to your physician about the pros and cons of using cayenne.
References
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cayenne
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Capsaicin
- Brain Research Reviews: Roles of Transient Receptor Potential Channels in Pain
- Monterey Bay Urology Associates: Interstitial Cystitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome
