Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis .

The symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis (often called Chronic Pelvic Pain) are varying degrees of bladder discomfort and an aggravated urge to urinate. However, whilst the lining of the bladder is inflamed and very sensitive and is often accompanied by abdominal pain, testing reveals no urinary infection.

Women are more commonly affected than men, who sometimes feel pain in the prostate, although it is actually coming from the bladder, which is situated just above it.

Women suffering with interstitial cystitis are also more likely to complain of a wide range of other symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, chest pain, joint ache, heart pounding, backache, abdominal cramps, nausea or other pelvic discomfort which tends to suggest that the cystitis itself is a symptom of an infection elsewhere in the body.

The problem is that most doctors only run a routine test for bacterial urinary infections and the urine must be cultured differently to reveal a fungal infection, so it often goes undetected. Because the actual cause of the urine problem is uncertain, antibiotics may be given as a precaution.

Whilst this treatment can ease the pain and reduce the frequency of the urge to void, it also exacerbates the yeast problems elsewhere, usually resulting in an outbreak of vaginal thrush and a worsening of the niggly extraneous symptoms mentioned previously.

Significantly, when the woman next has sexual intercourse, the vaginal Candida may be transmitted to the bladder, repeating the cycle of infection and antibiotics and worsening the Candida overgrowth in the body.

One natural short-term remedy for the symptoms of interstitial cystitis is the regular consumption of a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda in a pint of water to relieve the effects of the acidity on the bladder wall. (You should check with your doctor to ensure that this course of action is suitable for you). Any abdominal pain can be alleviated with a hot water bottle and a couple of generic painkillers.

Probiotics are recommended to control the condition long-term by improving the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. In addition, the consumption of Milk Thistle Complex tablets containing Boldo has proved helpful.

A member of the sunflower family, Milk Thistle has been used as a liver tonic for centuries. The active ingredient in its seeds is Silymarin. This is an antioxidant and it removes any free radicals, which are toxic chemicals that cause cell damage.

Since an overgrowth of Candida can adversely affect the liver, Silymarin's ability to strengthen the liver by stimulating the manufacture of new liver cells, and increasing the production of bile is invaluable.

Peumus Boldo is a South American herb, the dried leaves of which are used to treat urinary tract infections. (The essential oil should never be taken internally as it is highly toxic and Boldo should be avoided if pregnancy is suspected!)