Foods to Avoid with Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis is a chronic bladder disorder that causes severe pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic region. Symptoms include vaginal bleeding, urinary frequency and urgency, pressure in the pelvic area, burning upon urination, bladder spasms, and an inflamed and irritated bladder. Other symptoms include muscle pain, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and allergic reactions. There has been a possible connection linked between other chronic illnesses like Fibromyalgia but that too is still unexplained. Unfortunately, the cause of Interstitial Cystitis is unknown and there currently is not a cure.

Because Interstitial Cystitis is a chronic illness, the patient will have times where symptoms will wax and wane. In the beginning of the illness, symptoms tend to persist severely for up to the first year, then taper off somewhat. There are exceptions to the rule and there are IC patients who never see a tapering off of symptoms.

As with any other illness, diet is a big part of controlling the symptoms and decreasing any irritation to the bladder. In Interstitial Cystitis patients, the bladder has Hunner's ulcers, which are hemorrhages on the bladder wall. If the bladder is already bleeding and irritated, the patient needs to avoid foods and drinks that can cause further inflammation. Unfortunately, at first patients learn the hard way what they should and should not eat and drink. When the illness is in the beginning stages, there may be a period of time where even drinking pure water causes severe pain.

Once you have eliminated foods that irritate your bladder and they have been out of your diet for a while, you may find that later you can reintroduce some of these foods slowly back into your lifestyle. The key is always moderation and to not overdo any of the foods that can cause your symptoms to return.

Elimination Diets

The Interstitial Cystitis Network recommends and elimination diet to new patients. The purpose of the elimination diet is to discover slowly over time what foods can and cannot be tolerated. What might tolerate one IC patient's bladder may not another person. Each patient is unique. Elimination diets can be found in the IC Handbook.

Common Foods and Drinks to Avoid

This is just a general list of foods that can cause irritation to the bladder. Try to avoid anything that is spicy, acidic, carbonated or caffeinated.

- Spaghetti sauce, tomato sauce and pizza sauce

- Ketchup, mustard, salsa, soy sauce, worchestshire sauce, dressings with vinegar

- Spices such as oregano and Italian seasoning, barbeque sauce

- Chocolate

- Orange juice, cranberry juice, soda, coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages,

- Oranges, grapefruit, peaches, cantaloupe, pineapple, bananas, nectarines, cranberries, grapes

- Onions, tomatoes, and green peppers

- Aged cheeses, sour cream, yogurt

- Processed meats and corned beef

When you read some of this list it can be depressing thinking about what you may have to give up in order to feel better. It's not hopeless, though. I have been able to reintroduce most of these foods back into my diet on a moderated basis and I don't feel as though I am missing out on anything.