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Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners
What is the recommended diet for someone with interstitial cystitis?
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Are there certain foods that make the symptoms worse? Should avoid alcohol and caffeine? -
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Thanks
Dr Joseph Jabbour
Gynaecologist, Gynaecologist - Infertility (IVF) Specialist, Obstetrician
Dr Joseph Jabbour is a specialist Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist with Monash IVF situated in Sunnybank (Brisbane Southside). Dr Jabbour has had the … View Profile
Interstitial Cystitis or what we refer to as Bladder Pain Syndrome is a condition that causes chronic bladder pain either with bladder filing or urination.
The first line therapy is conservative. Diet has a very important role as several foods are bladder irritants.
The most common irritants are:
1- caffeine
2- Alcohol
3- hot pepper
4- artifical sweetners
A proper fluid intake is part of the management as some patients have more pain on filling and others have more pain when the urine is concentrated. There is a tendency of either over restricitng the intake or overdrinking. Therefore a stable fluid intake of 1.5-2 L per day is what the patient should aim for.
A referral to a physiotherapist is warranted. The physiotherapist guides them with pelvic floor relaxation and bladder training. The latter is to suppress the urgency. Applying a hot pack over the bladder also helps.
These simple measures can help improve symptoms in up to 50% of women but requires time and effort.
All the best.
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