Irritable Bladder Syndrome

If you find yourself making constant trips to the toilet, and have pain and tenderness around your bladder then irritable bladder syndrome, also known as interstitial cystitis could be the culprit.

 

This can cause inflammation of the bladder and the symptoms include frequent urination (and a sudden urgency to urinate), pain in the pelvic area, pain around the vagina/scrotum, painful sexual intercourse, notably higher pain levels during menstruation and urinary incontinence.  It’s a condition predominantly suffered by women, but men can develop it too.  The pain can be similar to a bladder infection but an infection is caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics, interstitial cystitis cannot.

 

Unfortunately, due to the similar signs and symptoms with many other disorders it can take a long time to get a proper diagnosis.  There is no cure for an irritable bladder and the aim is therefore to work towards relieving symptoms.  I feel like a broken record sometimes, but… what works for one person may not work for another.  Everyone responds differently to treatment so you need to discuss all your options with your GP and work out what may work best for you.

 

Natural ways to relieve the symptoms include dietary changes such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine and nicotine as these are all known to aggravate the bladder.  Citrus fruits and food high in vitamin C, chocolate, tomatoes and spices can also exacerbate symptoms.  Although do not self-diagnose and seek professional advice as soon as you start experiencing symptoms.

 

Quercetin or MSM are natural supplements believed to relieve symptoms.  Drinking cranberry juice, or taking a supplement, can offer relief too.

 

Exercises, such as kegels (pelvic floor) can help strengthen the bladder and pelvic muscles, giving you more control over your bladder.  You could consult a physiotherapist, or try Pilates to learn how to strengthen these muscles.