What is Cystitis?
Cystitis affects people of both sexes and all ages, but it is more common in women than men, for several reasons. A woman’s biology puts her at a greater risk of introducing bacteria into her urethra during sexual intercourse, while using contraceptive diaphragms or while inserting tampons. Women who do not completely empty their bladders are also at a higher risk for developing cystitis -- and this risk is common among pregnant women. Also, during menopause, the lining of a woman’s urethra gets thinner as her estrogen levels drop. The thinner the lining becomes, the higher the chances are of infection or damage.
What is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?
Interstitial Cystitis (IC), also called painful bladder syndrome, is a more serious and possibly permanent form of cystitis. Doctors are still unsure of what causes IC, although factors like an auto-immune deficiency, repeated bacterial infections of the bladder, spinal injuries or allergic reactions may contribute to it. This disease strikes mostly women, and while those of any age may be affected, patients are most typically diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50.
About 4 million people in the United States suffer from the symptoms of IC. For most of them, staying close to a bathroom is a necessity. One of the common symptoms of the disease is the need to urinate as frequently as 60 times in a 24-hour period, including multiple nighttime trips to the bathroom. The average, healthy adult typically urinates no more than seven times a day. Also common is the discomfort that one would feel with a urinary tract infection (UTI).
There is no cure for IC, but there are measures that can be taken to ease symptoms, including medications, bladder instillations (also called bladder washes or baths), bladder distention, and electrical stimulation. For nearly all IC patients, making significant dietary changes can help ease the symptoms of the disease. Continuing to consume alcohol and/or eat foods that trigger symptoms can lead to painful attacks.
Diet Matters
Many cystitis patients find that making changes to their diet can help control symptoms, specifically by avoiding foods and beverages that can cause bladder irritation. Because each person’s bladder reacts differently, keeping track of what you’re eating and eliminating one food item at a time in a process of elimination will help you determine what foods trigger bladder irritation. The Interstitial Cystitis Association offers an IC Diet that includes three categories:
● IC Friendly: This list includes foods that rarely bother the bladders of IC patients. The ICA advises that newly diagnosed IC patients stick to these foods only until they experience some relief from symptoms, which may take several weeks.
● Try It: Foods on this list are reported to be generally safe to eat but may bother some sensitive bladders. The foods on this list should be tried one at a time in small quantities, gradually increasing portion size over the course of several days. If you don’t react to the food item, then you can add it to your own “IC-Friendly” list, and introduce a new food item.
● Caution: This is a list of food items that tend to trigger IC bladder flare-ups in most IC patients. The foods on this list should be avoided altogether or tried only when bladder symptoms are minimal and the bladder is not feeling sensitive. As with the “Try It” list, foods should be introduced one at a time and only in small amounts.
Caffeine
Whether you’re a java junkie or crave your afternoon soda fix (carbonated beverages, even of the caffeine-free variety, are also irritating), caffeine is something that you’ll want to reduce or eliminate from your diet altogether. It’s a common irritant for people suffering from cystitis.
Alcohol
Not only is alcohol incredibly irritating to the bladder, but it is also contraindicated with many IC medications, so while many IC patients will sneak a drink or two, alcohol should be eliminated from the diet altogether. Even a few drinks can lead to painful flare-ups, and it can interfere with your medication’s ability to function properly.
Most Fruits
Citrus drinks, fruits and juices are also common bladder irritants, as are most fruits, with the exceptions of apples, blueberries, honeydew melon and pears. Most berries fall into the “Caution” category, alongside dried fruits (especially those with preservatives), grapes, guava, kiwi fruit, melons, nectarines, passionfruit, papaya, pineapple, starfruit and raisins.
Most Nuts
Most nuts also have to be knocked off the menu, except almonds, cashews and pine nuts. Hazlenuts, pecans and pistachios are on the Caution list, while macadamia nuts, pecans and walnuts fall under the “try it” category.
Some Meats
Meats and fish that have been cured, processed, smoked, canned, aged or that contain nitrites are likely to cause irritation and should be limited or eliminated. These meats include many popular deli meats, like bologna, pepperoni and salami, as well as food items like hot dogs, sausages, canned tuna and crab meat.
Artificial Sweeteners
Foods and beverages that contain artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, may cause irritation.
Preservatives
Cystitis sufferers should avoid any foods or beverages that contain preservatives, such as citric acid and monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Some Dairy Products
Some dairy products may cause irritation, including aged cheeses, sour cream and yogurt.
Spicy Foods
Spicy foods should be avoided whenever possible because they may cause bladder irritation and aggravate cystitis symptoms.