The Herbal Thymes

                                      All the plants that are fit to enhance your life

By Rosha Roush

                                                                  Interstitial Cystitis

                                                                                  What is it?  What causes it?  Do I have IC?

      My mother just recently came up to visit and suggested I write a column about Interstitial Cystitis as she was just recently diagnosed with IC.  For about a year she was having symptoms of abdominal pain, and a feeling like being pregnant as her stomach would harden into a ball and enlarge, accompanied with frequent and incomplete urination. The pressure in her lower abdomen would cause weak feelings in the legs or intense pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic area. Her regular doctor wasn’t finding anything and after having several test done she went to a Urologist who made the diagnosis of IC.

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

     One of the chronic pelvic pain disorders is a condition resulting in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic area. There is a wearing away of the protective lining of the bladder walls resulting in ulcers or sores on the bladder walls.  IC affects men as well as women and even children. However women are more successful at getting diagnosed.  The symptoms vary from case to case and even in the same individual.  People may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and surrounding pelvis area.  Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate (urgency), frequent need to urinate, or a combination of these symptoms.  Pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills with urine or as it empties.  Women’s symptoms often get worse during menstruation.

Signs and Symptoms

     In IC, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or stiff.  Some people with IC find that their bladders cannot hold much urine, which increases the frequency of urination.  People with severe cases may urinate as many as 60 times a day.

     For men, symptoms may include pain and inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis).   

Complications

     Because of its chronic nature, frequently delayed diagnosis, and the lack of a cure, IC causes psychological and social problems that can affect family, work, and lifestyle:

*Anxiety * Depression * Difficulty traveling * Fatigue * Inability to enjoy usual activities * Insomnia * Panic * Weight fluctuation and eating disorders.

Diagnosis

     Because symptoms are similar to other disorders of the urinary system and because there is no definitive test to identify IC, doctors must rule out other conditions before considering a diagnosis of IC.  Among these disorders are urinary tract or vaginal infections bladder cancer, bladder inflammation or infection caused by radiation to the pelvic area. Eosinophilic and tuberculous cystitis, kidney stones, endometriosis, neurological disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, low-count bacteria in the urine and, in men, chronic bacterial and nonbacterial prostatitis.

Treatment

      There are drugs that the FDA recommend as treatment.  Patients may not feel relief from IC pain for the first 2 to 4 months.  A decrease in urinary frequency may take up to 6 months.  Some side effects are: gastrointestinal discomfort, hair loss and may affect liver function. 

     Certain foods can cause additional distress when suffering with IC.  Typically, foods high in acid and potassium as well as beverages containing caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.

   Herbal Supplements – My mother has found that adding Buchu leaf and Skullcap has really helped her.

Buchu has a healing influence on all chronic complaints of the genitor-urinary tract.  One of the best herbs of the urinary organs.  Buchu absorbs excessive uric acid, reducing bladder irritations and “scalding urine”.  Buchu increases the quantity of urinic fluids and solids, and at the same time it acts as a tonic and astringent and disinfectant to the mucous membranes.  It has been combined with Uva Ursi for treatment of water retention and urinary tract infections.  When taken warm, it is used in treatment of enlargement of the prostate gland and irritation of the membrane of the urethra.

Skullcap, (she takes it in an herbal extract form) is considered one of the best nervine herbs available.  It is well known for its ability to calm nerves and help with all nervous conditions.  It has also been used to treat fatigue, inflamed tissues, high blood pressure, digestion, coughs and headaches. It may help lessen the severity of symptoms.

Nervine Tonic, (A herbal extract formula), When she is experiencing much pain in the bladder the muscles of the abdomen tighten which eventually effects the nerves and they start sending shooting pains down her legs, (neuroma) especially at night.  After sending her the Nervine tonic, she took it one night and say’s immediately the neuroma was gone.