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 [...]
Going on vacation is exciting. You get to explore new places, have a break from your normal routine and maybe even try some IC friendly new foods. But, it can also be overwhelming as you try to figure out what to bring along. What if you get caught by a flare? Do you have [...]
Of all the things we discuss for potential causes of IC, metal allergy hasn't been high on the list. In fact, it doesn't usually even make the list. However, Liz Anderson, an IC patient from Northern California, says her nickel allergy is most likely the root cause of all her IC symptoms. Resolving the [...]
For years now, we've known IC and pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) go hand-in-hand. Many patients have overly tight pelvic floor muscles that at least contribute to their pelvic pain. Treating PFD is important. It typically starts with pelvic floor physical therapy and can eventually include vaginal suppositories or trigger point injections. If nothing else [...]
