Interstitial Cystitis (IC) - "Razor-blades" in the bladder!
Affects both men and women, boys and girls
What is IC?
IC begins with the irritation and eventual erosion of the interstitial lining of the bladder. Consequently, the interstitial tissue in the space between the normally-protective bladder lining and the bladder muscle becomes chronically inflamed. This manifests as pelvic pain, and a frequent, urgent feeling, described as a “hot poker” on the bladder wall or “razor blades in the bladder”.
Pin-point bleeding (glomerulations). Diagnostic cytoscopy with hydrodistention shows tiny hemorrhages on the bladder lining as a result of the damaged interstitial tissue.
Tiny ulcers. The lining can deteriorate to the point of becoming ulcerated. The resulting so called Hunner’s ulcers are super-sensitive and extremely aggravated by overly-acidic urine.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis
IC is NOT a bacterial infection
Some of the symptoms of IC / PBS resemble those of bacterial infection, but medical tests reveal no organisms in the urine of people with IC / PBS. Symptoms vary greatly, but can include:
- Bladder pain that intensifies as it fills and then goes away upon voiding, only to immediately return again;
- Inability to completely empty bladder;
- Breakdown of the bladder tissue without the presence of infection;
- Extreme frequency of urination, often every few minutes;
- Strong “Dead mouse” smell in urine;
- Painful sexual intercourse;
- Blood in the urine;
- Digestive problems;
- Low grade fever;
- Recurrent vaginal yeast infections;
- Joint pain and swollen glands;
- Thyroid problems;
- Severe food allergies which trigger bladder pain;
Possible causes of interstitial cystitis (IC)
The cause of IC has not been definitively agreed, but some ideas are:
- Nutritionally poor diet / unwholesome lifestyle, leading to:
- Overly-acidic urine/harmful substances in urine. Caustic to the bladder lining;
- A compromised immune system that is unable to protect the lining or repair any damage. Typically, you eat too many acid-forming foods, which compromises your immune system.
- IC often occurs in tandem with other immune system breakdown disorders. Such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). E.g. IC patients are 100 times more likely to have IBS. Lifestyle factors, such as lack of sunshine and too much stress can also compromise the immune system.
- Defects in the protective mucous layer that lines the bladder. Causes so-called leaky bladder syndrome allowing harmful substances in the urine to leak through the mucous layer and inflame or ulcerate tissue below. Some evidence suggests that in IC the surface layer of the bladder is deficient in protective called GAGs (glycosaminoglycans). Hurst RE, Roy JB, Min RW, et al. A deficit of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans on the bladder uroepithelium in interstitial cystitis. Urology. 1996;48:817. Use of supplemental GAGs (such as chondroitin sulfate) has provided little reliable evidence that they work.
- Sensory nerves within the bladder “turn on” and spur the release of inflammatory substances
- Hormone Connection. Since IC is mainly a woman’s disease, there is a possible hormonal contribution.
Emergency relief methods for a painful flare-up
Emergency treatments are merely “band-aids” designed to immediately alleviate the pain of IC flare-ups by treating the symptoms. A long-term / lifetime effort is required to change the conditions in your body that actually cause the problem:
(1) Take ½ teaspoon of baking soda and 3-5 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract (Citricidal®) in a glass of water or diluted juice – Stir, let sit a minute, and then drink. You can repeat this up to 4 times a day. Baking soda provides a fast and effective way to alkalize the body. GSE has shown beneficial in all immuno-deficient health problems, but especially IC.
(2) Quercetin w/Bromelain (work well together) –
Quercetin – as an antioxidant, reduces the damage and irritation caused by free radicals; also suppresses histamine response (that which causes allergic reactions);
Bromelain – an enzyme which limits the action of metabolites on inflammation and decreases migration of pain-inducing neutrophils to areas of inflammation; also increases absorption and utilization of quercetin
E.g. Quercetin with Bromelain (120 veg capsules) by NOW foods®; Activated Quercetin® by Source Naturals
How to treat interstitial cystitis (IC)
Dietary measures for long-term treatment of interstitial cystitis
- AVOID acidic foods for 1-3 months. This allows bladder inflammation to be repaired; these irritant acidic foods include coffee, alcohol, vinegar and citrus fruits.
- Follow a very nutritious diet:
- Eat more fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean poultry, and plenty of cold water omega-3 fish (E.g. salmon, mackerel, sardines) – This will boost the body’s immune system function
- Drink plenty of water – although this will increase the need to urinate, it also dilutes the urine, making it less caustic to the bladder lining
- SUPPLEMENT with Anti-inflammatory Omega-3 EPA / DHA and Omega-6 GLA essential fatty acids. E.g. Krill oil or toxin-free, cold-pressed wild salmon oil for EPA /DHA and Evening Primrose or Borage oil for GLA. These EFAs are important because they suppress the cytokines in the body that produce inflammation, especially interleuken-6 (IL-6). These EFA supplements can dramatically decrease the painful swelling in the bladder and pelvic area.
- Stay away from obvious toxins – such as aspartame, sucralose, MSG, chemical food additives, Eat organic foods.
- AVOID inflammatory Foods – Identifying /eliminating foods that are causing inflammation gives your body chance to rest and heal. Examples of these foods are red meat (in excess), processed foods (including refined white sugar and flour), and any food to which you may be allergic (e.g. wheat, nuts or chocolate).
- Drink organic Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinali) Tea – the mucilage found in the marshmallow plant root provides a soothing coating to the bladder; also acts as an anti-inflammatory
Support repair of the bladder lining and wall
Apply Meridian Tapping Technique
High levels of stress hormones can trigger the release of excess inflammatory chemicals. In addition to prayer and meditation, utilize the Meridian Tapping Technique (MTT) to relieve anxiety/stress. MTT unblocks electrical pathways in the body for better communication between the body’s cells.
Meridian Tapping Technique (MTT)
Detoxify the Body / Bladder
Supplements will provide temporary relief, but if you do not change the toxic conditions in the body, it is like adding good oil to dirty oil in a car engine. See the various methods mentioned on this website to cleanse the body of a lifetime of unwanted toxins, microbes and toxic metals.
The Beck Protocol (Effective detox method using micro-current electricity)
Clinical DMSO “Bladder Wash”. DMSO is the only FDA-approved bladder instillation drug for IC. A bladder instillation is a procedure where the bladder is filled though a catheter with a therapeutic solution for up to 20 minutes before being drained. This helps relax the bladder and alleviate pain and inflammation. Some research suggests that more than half of patients improve after six weeks of treatments once/week. It may cause a burning sensation during and after instillation and can cause a garlicky odor on the skin and breath for up to three days following treatment.
DMSO – Cell Membrane Penetrant, Carrier of other substances, Pain relief
