This is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bladder. The urinary bladder is a balloon like organ which collects urine from the kidneys and it stores it for expulsion. Our bladder walls are made of muscles which relax as the bladder fills up and they contract as the bladder is emptied. These walls are lined with thousands of cells which are protecting the bladder from coming into direct contact with the urine. When someone has interstitial cystitis, then the inflammation which is caused to the lining of the bladder is causing the bladder to stiffen and also the bladder is not effective as normal.
This is causing sharp stabbing pain in the bladder and the inflamed feeling while you are urinating. Many people mistake the interstitial cystitis with urinary tract infection but they are not the same condition. The most common symptoms of interstitial cystitis are severe discomfort when the bladder fills and sudden relief on urination; painful sexual intercourse; waking up in the mid – sleep with a sharp urge to urinate; usually interstitial cystitis patients urinate as often as 50 times in a day; a frequent urge to urinate, even if the discharge is little; severe stabbing pelvic pain; pelvic discomfort, specific pain in between the anus vagina.
You need to talk with your doctor if you suffer from interstitial cystitis before you start using some of the below mentioned home remedies for this condition.
Home remedies for interstitial cystitis
Serrapeptase for interstitial cystitis
This is anti – inflammatory agent which is effective in alleviating the inflammation caused by interstitial cystitis [1]. It has been found that this home remedy is effective in reducing the bladder inflammation. It can help to break down the undigested and damaged protein which is contributing to the complications of interstitial cystitis.
Colloidal silver
This home remedy has anti – oxidant and anti – inflammatory properties which can help to eradicate mycoplasma, candida and other anonymous infections which are usually leading to interstitial cystitis. [2]
Melatonin
This is an anti – oxidant which is available in supplement form. It can help to eliminate the free radicals from your body. There was one study in 2003 which was done on rats and it was noticed that the melatonin can help to protect the bladder lining from irritants. Based on this study, doctors think that melatonin can be effective home remedy for interstitial cystitis.
Spinach
Spinach is rich in Vitamin E, phosphorus, folate and iron. Also, it has phytonutrients which can help to provide energy directly to the cells and they can boost the immune system. Spinach has anti – oxidant properties and it can help to eliminate free radicals and reduce the inflammation. Also, it is alkaline in nature and it is one of the best choices of foods which you can take if you suffer from interstitial cystitis. [3]
Probiotics
It has been proven that probiotics can help to reduce the symptoms of most inflammatory conditions. You can consume this home remedy to help combat the inflammation and swelling in the bladder. Also, this natural cure has quercetin which is antioxidant of the flavonol group and it has anti – inflammatory properties. This component can help to decrease systemic allergic responses. It is noticed that supplements and substances which have quercetin, help to improve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. [4]
Baking soda help in interstitial cystitis
This is a very popular home remedy for interstitial cystitis. It is alkaline in nature and it can help to reduce the body’s acid levels. Also, it will reduce the burning sensation and it will give you a relief from other complications of interstitial cystitis. You should add two tablespoons of baking soda in a glass of warm water and then drink this home remedy. You need to drink this home remedy four to five times in a day.
Heat and cold therapy
There are some cases when the heat/cold therapy is the most effective home remedy to get a relief from the pain of interstitial cystitis flare. It depends on the type of flare which is more effective therapy, heat or cold, or in some cases it can be a combination of the both. It is known that the bladder wall flares react well when do muscles flares. You should use a simple heating pad or hot water bottle over the abdomen when your bladder is in spasm. The heat will help to tight and spamming muscles to relax and it soothes bladder well.
If you are treating the pelvic floor flare with the heat, then it can be helpful for you to use a longer – lasting portable heat pad inside your pants or underwear. Also, it is very effective the numbing of a pelvic floor flare. You can use a frozen water bottle, with a layer of protection over it, and place it against your urethra because this will give you a relief and it will reduce the inflammation. You should not leave either the cold or hot therapy for too long, alternating or removing it for twenty minutes or so.
Aloe Vera
There are some studies in which are shown that Aloe Vera capsules can help to reduce the urinary frequency, burning and pain which are taking part of many bladder disorders, but also they are taking part of interstitial cystitis. [5]
Marshmallow root
This home remedy can be taken in capsule form or prepared as tea. It is known that it can coat the bladder wall and it will give protection to people who suffer from interstitial cystitis.
Quercetin
There are some studies in which are shown that people who were taking 500 mg of quercetin, 4 weeks and two times per day, have noticed improvements in the symptoms of their interstitial cystitis [6]. This home remedy is antioxidant. It can be naturally found in foods like berries and black tea. There were not noticed side effects in people who were taking quercetin supplements.
Manage stress with relaxation techniques
It is known that the stress can lead to flare – up of symptoms of interstitial cystitis which will make the pain and inflammation worse. There are many natural stress relievers which can help you to get a relief from the stress, such as joining a support group, either online or in person; speaking with a therapist or counselor; any type of exercise that does not cause pain; reading and journaling; spending time in nature; using essential oils like lavender and chamomile; biofeedback training; breathing exercises; meditation and yoga.
Identify food triggers
It is known fact that the interstitial cystitis can be alleviated and the inflammation can be lessened by charting out lists of acidic foods and replacing them with neutral or alkaline foods which do not cause you inflammation. There are many foods which can trigger reactions specific to your body type so you should discover your triggers and avoid them. Some of the foods which can trigger you are: processed meat; onions; cheese; yogurt; chocolates; cranberries; coffee which is highly acidic; alcohol; concentrated/processed fruit juice; ketchup and tomato pasta sauce; commercially produced tomatoes; fizzy drinks, especially diet varieties; citrus fruits, like lemons, oranges, grenadines and lime.
When you have identified your food triggers, then you should plan your diet accordingly and you should stay away from the mentioned acidic foods.
Eliminate sugar
Many people have noticed that the sugar can worsen the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. It is known that sugar can make the urine acidic. Also, sugar feeds on bacteria and other pathogens. It can help to reduce the inflammation.
Acupuncture
There are many people who suffer from interstitial cystitis and who have noticed improvement in their symptoms after getting acupuncture. You should visit trained acupuncturist to get the right acupuncture for you. [7]
Water intake
Many people who suffer from interstitial cystitis do not get enough amounts of water. It is very important for them to drink at least six to eight glasses of water on daily basis so in this way, they will stave off constipation and it will keep their urine from becoming too acidic. Many people who suffer from this problem think that drinking too much water will make them to urinate more and this will cause more pain.
It is very important to take the right amount of water. When you stay hydrated throughout the day, then you will keep the urgency/frequency to a minimum. Also, you can mix ½ – 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a glass full of water so in this way you will balance the acidity of the urine.
References:
[1] Gupte V, Luthra U. Analytical techniques for serratiopeptidase: A review. Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis. 2017;7(4):203–7.
[2] Shin SH, Ye MK, Che MH, Lee DW. Anti-inflammatory effect of nano silver in chronic
rhinosinusitis mouse model. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research. 2018;11(1):8287-92.
[3] Ishida M, Ose S, Nishi K, Sugahara T. Immunostimulatory effect of spinach aqueous extract on mouse macrophage-like J774.1 cells and mouse primary peritoneal macrophages. Food & Nutrition Science. 2016;80(7):1393-402.
[4] Plaza-Diaz J, Ruiz-Ojeda FJ, Vilchez-Padial LM, Gil A. Evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics and synbiotics in intestinal chronic diseases. Nutrients. 2017;9(6):555.
[5] Whitmore KE. Complementary and alternative therapies as treatment approaches for interstitial cystitis. Reviews in Urology. 2002;4(Suppl 1):S28–S35.
[6] Katske F, Shoskes DA, Sender M, et al. Treatment of interstitial cystitis with a quercetin supplement. Techniques in Urology. 2001;7(1):44-6.
[7] Pang R, Ali A. The Chinese approach to complementary and alternative medicine treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. Translational Andrology and Urology. 2015;4(6):653–61.
