Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial Cystitis is a syndrome characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, pain in the pelvis and/or bladder area, and often pain with intercourse. Symptoms vary from patient to patient and may overlap. Effective treatments are available.
At Innovative Health, we apply functional medicine principles alongside conventional treatments. We include testing and management of bowel function to optimize gastrointestinal health, as many of our IC patients experience bowel issues. We provide anti-inflammatory and elimination dietary programs with web-based support for all our patients. Additionally, we test and treat for yeast overgrowth as indicated (often seen in our IC patients), and use nutraceuticals in addition to prescription medications. Many IC patients have taken multiple antibiotics; we understand the impact of chronic antibiotic use on the gut, brain, and immune systems and work to optimize these systems in all our patients.
Symptoms or a diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis require further investigation to identify the root cause. Increasing evidence points to biotoxin illness as the potential cause, and assessment of mycotoxins/mold, heavy metals, tick-borne diseases, and environmental chemicals is warranted. DNA urine testing for microbes and antibiotic resistance is necessary for effective treatment.
Natural Herbals
A variety of herbal and supplement products are available to support Interstitial Cystitis. At Innovative Health, we use natural anti-microbials rather than antibiotics, and natural antihistamines such as Quercetin and Aloe. Gentle bowel herbs can support constipation, which often worsens IC symptoms, and sleep and stress herbs are always a part of the plan of care for patients of Innovative Health.
Bladder Instillations
Many agents may be used to treat Interstitial Cystitis. These solutions are administered directly into the bladder to provide acute, symptomatic bladder pain relief in patients with Interstitial Cystitis. The Nurse practitioner will develop an individualized solution to best achieve relief from bladder pain and voiding urgency.
Dietary Irritants
Decreasing dietary potassium intake and identifying other dietary triggers may help reduce symptom flares of urinary urgency, voiding frequency, and pain. Maintaining a food diary and following a total-elimination diet, then systematically reintroducing potential trigger items one by one, helps identify bladder dietary irritants.
Medications
A variety of medications are currently available to treat complaints of overactive bladder, bladder pain, urinary urgency, frequency, and interstitial cystitis. When taken as directed, these medications have been proven effective in providing substantial relief from bladder and pelvic complaints - and have led to a vast improvement in the quality of life for many people.
