Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is an inflammation of the tissues that make up the walls of the bladder that can flare-up and create pain and discomfort in the pelvis. The pain is worsened with when the bladder is full and improved with urination. Many foods can irritate the bladder, creating a flare-up and increasing your pain, some of these are highly spiced or acidic foods and include alcohol, coffees, teas, herbal teas, green teas and sodas (particularly diet). Even healthy foods and supplements can first irritate the bladder by releasing more acid waste into the urine, this eventually subsides as the body becomes less acidic.
 

There are many contributing factors as to why we get IC, from an overly acidic diet, dehydration, medications, lack of deep breathing, even trauma can create the buildup of acid waste and excess proteins that limit circulation in the tissues of the bladder. When you look at Interstitial Cystitis with an understanding of the lymphatic system and acid-alkaline balance, you can easily see how acid waste is building in the tissues of the bladder limiting circulation. Interstitial Cystitis is a bladder that has limited blood circulation, so to heal the inflammation you need to reverse the acid environment by taking certain steps to reduce acidity and promote circulation in the bladder.

1. Limit Cranberry Juice – Many people who get cystitis begin drinking cranberry juice for its antiseptic properties. Cranberry juice is acid forming so you are unknowingly making your bladder more acidic and constricted adding to the problem. Try drinking pomegranate juice or soothing aloe vera juice instead.
2. Hydrate With Alkaline Water – The minerals in water help to make the body more alkaline improving circulation. If you’re drinking water that has gone through a reverse osmosis (ro) filtering system (most bottled drinking water is ro, drink bottled mountain spring water) all the minerals have been removed creating a cleaner tasting water but possibly more acidic water.
3. More Alkaline Foods - Most fruits and vegetables help to make the body more alkaline, improving circulation. Eat more of your vegetables raw or slightly steamed.
4. Do Exercises that Increase Circulation in Pelvis - Crunches, deep breathing and sitting in a chair and lifting bent legs stimulates circulation in the pelvis and bladder.
5. Self-Lymphatic Activation - To improve blood circulation in the bladder you must improve lymph flow from the main lymph drain in the right clavicle, through the Cisterna Chyli in the upper abdomen to the bladder.
 

Begin making changes slowly to avoid a flare-up or healing crisis due to the released waste that will make the urine more acidic, irritating the bladder. Expect some discomfort for the first few days as you improve your diet and circulation.
 

Copyright ©2009 John Ossipinsky