Nontraditional Interstitial Cystitis Treatments
Alternative Remedies for Symptom Relief
Sep 23, 2009
Traditional treatments to reduce symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC) include bladder washes, prescription pentosan, elimination diets, and even antidepressants that reduce pain. Because so little is known about IC causes and pathology, though, patients and caregivers attempt nontraditional treatments to complement the limited available traditional options.
Complementary Procedures
Complementary methods to control pain, frequency and urgency associated with IC include the following:
- Acupuncture is thought to rebalance the body's energy fields to improve disease symptoms.
- Music therapy is a popular method of controlling pain, frequency, and urgency during flares.
- Biofeedback, a method of controlling body functions by awareness of them, can be used to help patients regulate voiding times.
Herbal Remedies and Supplements
Herbs, vitamins and minerals, and other substances can reduce symptoms and potentially protect the irritated bladder wall from additional damage.
- L-arginine dosed at 500 mg three times daily has improved frequency and pain in clinical trials, possibly because it helps the body make nitric oxide used for many body processes.
- Prelief, or calcium glycerophosphate, is a supplement taken by mouth that provides documented improvement in bladder symptoms of IC, primarily by reducing acidity in the bladder after eating food.
- Licorice and marshmallow roots as powders, capsules, or teas may soothe the bladder wall by coating it, and licorice root may decrease inflammation as well.
- Liposomes, or fat bubbles, have been studied by administering them directly to the bladder to form a protective coating on the irritated bladder wall.
- Antioxidant and cell growth vitamins like C, B6, A and E are essential for cell and bladder lining health; however, over-the-counter products are often acidic, so leafy vegetables and beans are better sources of these nutrients.
- Bioflavinoids, such as quercitin, and isoflavones are newer supplements that may control IC symptoms. Bioflavinoids in marketed products may provide antioxidant benefits that are normally found in acidic foods like wine or tea, which can trigger symptom flare in patients with IC. Isoflavones may play a role in blocking antiproliferative factor, a substance newly identified as contributing to IC development, but more research is needed.
Electrical Stimulation Techniques
TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, applied to the bladder wall can disrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain and improve the quality of life for patients with IC, although it is unknown how long the effects of TENS will last. Recent studies show that electrical nerve stimulation at the ankle, rather than directly to the site of pain, can reduce both frequency and pain in patients with urologic disorders.
Resources
The IC Network provides a Patient Handbook that offers more ideas on integrating traditional treatments for IC with alternative treatments and healthful living.
References
IC Network Patient Handbook: Vitamins and Minerals
IC Association Treatments: Complementary and Alternative Medicines
IC Association Research: Literature Review
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