More than any other holiday, Thanksgiving revolves around food and that can be stressful when you are following a special diet for any reason -- including IC. However, you can easily have an IC friendly Thanksgiving with just a bit of planning. Whether this is your first or 15th holiday season with IC, these [...]
Thanksgiving is the quintessential American holiday that revolves around food and family. For those of us with IC, it can also be stressful. Being on our feet for hours to cook or managing challenging family relationships can make our symptoms worse. Sometimes we need a fresh start of new traditions as we constantly adjust [...]
While autumn is full of beautiful colors in many parts of the world, it's also a harbinger of shorter days and colder weather. Combined, these things are the perfect recipe for seasonal blues which can take a toll on mental health. IC patients are more likely to struggle with anxiety and depression, so we [...]
When it comes to fruit, IC patients can feel limited. Citrus fruits -- of which there are many -- most often irritate IC bladders. But some fruits are usually bladder friendly. Along with pears and blueberries, some mild apple varieties fall into this category. Depending on the variety, apples can be harvested from August [...]
One of the best self-help strategies for managing chronic pain is distraction. Of course, you can't just distract all your pain away. But studies have shown that having something to focus on other than your pain actually makes people hurt less.(1) Finding a distraction can be challenging during IC flares but enjoying a hobby [...]
While some IC patients are sure IC has a genetic component, others feel the opposite as being the only person in their family with bladder issues. Determining whether IC is genetic is certainly a challenge. One thing the vast majority of the IC community can agree on, though, is that there are a fair [...]
When my second child was born and decided sleep at night was optional, I also had a 3-year-old who needed me throughout the day. Many nights, I had small amounts of sleep. I blearily remember those days. And one of my memories from that time includes an article on healthy ways new moms can [...]
Do men and women experience IC the same or differently? Understanding how male and female IC patients differ can help healthcare providers provide better treatment and help patients receive more effective care based upon their unique needs. Yet, only a handful of studies have looked at gender in IC treatment and experiences. A recent [...]
As the hot days of summer linger on, we are all looking for ways to stay cool. Diving into the water seems like a great place to start. But, swimming with IC/BPS is something many patients are hesitant about. However, being in water has many benefits, including that the buoyancy of water can support [...]
Warm, summer weather encourages us to get outside and be more active. But what about when it's sweltering outside? Whether you live in a hot and humid climate year-round or just part of the year, figuring out how to safely workout in the heat is important. Exercise releases endorphins that help reduce pain. It [...]
