Interstitial cystitis, known also as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic bladder condition that affects approximately 1 million Americans at any given time. Though no known cause exists, it occurs when the signals between the bladder and the brain get confused, resulting in the need to frequently urinate accompanied with pain and discomfort in the bladder and pelvic area. Treatment is focused on pain management, though there are a number of lifestyle and natural treatments that can be used to alleviate the pain associated with the condition.
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Possible Causes
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There is no known cause of interstitial cystitis, though there are several theories. While the symptoms may resemble those of a standard bladder infection, their does not seem to be a bacteria at work. As such, theories concerning an undetected infectious agent have been proposed. Other possible causes include allergies and an autoimmune disease, while others postulate that the condition may be an umbrella term to refer to several diseases.
Quercetin
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There are several supplements that have undergone a variety of studies to assess their effectiveness in treating interstitial cystitis, though most have remained inconclusive or have offered little to no evidence supporting their effectiveness.
One such supplement is the bioflavanoid Quercetin, a substance occurring naturally in plants and found in foods and drinks such as onions, grapefruit, red wines and black teas. Rich in antioxidants, it has been thought to be an effective method of treatment for interstitial cystitis. One trial, presented at the American Urological Association in 2001, that studied the effects of Quercetin on the condition concluded it to be an effective method of alleviating symptoms. It was not, however, presented as a full article and as such the significance of the results have been called into question. Though Quercetin has been assessed to be a safe supplement, concerns over its potential to cause cancer and put pregnant women at a high risk for giving their child infant leukemia have been studied, though no conclusive evidence for any of this has been established.
Other Natural Supplements
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Arginine, an amino acid whose role in the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles in the bladder, has been considered a potentially effective method of treatment against interstitial cystitis for this reason alone. A study found in the "Journal of Urology," however, has shown there to be no benefit to arginine supplements in treating interstitial cystitis.
Another possible yet uncorroborated natural treatment is found in glycosaminoglycans, a protective natural substance. According to an article found in a 1996 issue of "Urology," evidence suggests a deficiency of glycosaminoglycans in the surface of the bladder of those with interstitial cystitis can lead to inflammation, and as such a supplement may help.
Lifestyle Treatments
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Lifestyle and at-home treatments are limited and focus on eliminating factors that might exacerbate the symptoms. These include reducing or eliminating the ingestion of foods and drinks that irritate the bladder, quitting smoking, reducing stress and training the bladder. Bladder training consists of urinating at a set time every day, then gradually increasing the period between urinating.
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