Ringing in a new year often means taking stock of where we are and where we want to be. Dealing with chronic pain can make that a bit bittersweet and overwhelming. I've certainly had years of feeling sort of hopeless about resolutions. What could I resolve to do that I'd actually be able to [...]
While the holidays bring a lot of cheer, they can also bring a lot of stress. And one issue most ICers encounter is budgets. The extra expenses of gifts and activities throughout the season can take their toll on any wallet. One solution for reducing your holiday spending is to make gifts for others [...]
While gratitude may be the focus of American Thanksgiving each November, it's actually a beneficial habit year-round that can even help with pain management. Seriously! Studies show gratitude has a slew of benefits for patients, including that grateful patients have an overall better perception of their physical health, are more likely to participate in [...]
When life gets busy and stressful -- as often happens during the holiday season -- we have to make sure we are taking care of ourselves. Because not only is stress bad for our mental health, it also impacts our physical health. The more stress you have, the more likely you are to have [...]
Researchers in China have discovered a potential new treatment for IC patients: intravesical interferon. Interferons are a class of antiviral drugs typically used for serious viruses. Administering them directly into the bladders of IC patients through bladder instillations seems to be helping some patients. For a few years now, researchers have speculated viruses could [...]
Autumn brings with it the promise of cooler temperatures (for many of us) and a variety of colors. Fall is a season that evokes different reactions from different folks. I'm a fall fan, for instance. I love the cooler temperatures, the beautiful colors and even the contrast of gray skies with colorful leaves. Other [...]
Not much is more comforting and satisfying in cooler weather than a nice warm meal. Even better are meals you can make all in one pot so you don't finish eating and have lots of dishes to be done. We've pulled together some of the best IC friendly one-pot meals for you to try [...]
Age is often included as a risk factor for various conditions. Some medical conditions happen more in younger people; others happen more in middle age, and still others happen in senior adulthood. Yet, in the IC community, the age of onset is widely varied. So perhaps it makes sense the average age for diagnosis [...]
Earlier this year, my 14-year-old daughter had severe pelvic pain -- enough to cause her to shiver, sob and be unable to stand upright. We headed to the emergency room of our local hospital. After waiting for three hours, we finally saw a nurse practitioner. My daughter's pain was dismissed as period cramps, even [...]
One of the first-line treatments for IC is learning about the IC diet and giving it a try. For many patients, removing irritating food or drinks can make a huge difference in their symptoms. An elimination diet helps you best identify your trigger foods. Once you know what foods bother you and are actively [...]
