Thirty IC Awareness Facts To Share!
Please help us spread the word about IC Please share these thirty IC awareness facts with your family, friends and social networks!!! Click on each image to see the full fact for that day!
Daily Fact #30 – Honoring Those Who Have Passed
On this, the last day of IC Awareness Month, we honor those patients and providers who are no longer with us. Many helped the IC movement become the vital, vibrant community. Daniel Brookoff MD was the first doctor who advocated for the aggressive and compassionate treatment of the pain of IC. C. Paul Perry MD, [...]
Daily Fact #29 – Smoking and IC
When a 2012 research study was released that showed the children of smokers were at high risk of developing severe urinary disorders including the symptom of IC, we were stunned (1). Children between the ages of 4 through 17 who sought care from a pediatric urologist for severe urinary symptoms were included in the study. [...]
Daily Fact #28 – Types of IC Flares
Interstitial cystitis and bladder pain patients often experience sudden and unpredictable "flares" or worsening of their symptoms. There are a few distinct types of flares. A "bladder wall" flare occurs when the bladder wall has been irritated, most often by eating or drinking an acidic or caffeinated food or beverage. While some patients report pain [...]
Daily Fact #27 – Pain of IC
While pain is not always a symptom in IC, for the men and women who have it, it can be agonizing, as if razors are cutting our bladders. Yet, for years, patients have been told that it’s all in their heads and that they just need to ignore the pain. Hogwash!! Would you deny a [...]
Daily Fact #26 – Wine and IC/BPS
Is it safe to drink wine when you have interstitial cystitis (IC), bladder pain syndrome (BPS) or chronic prostatitis? If you're actively in a flare or have Hunner's lesions, drinking wine would be foolish because alcohol on any tender tissue or open wound would sting. However, when your urinary symptoms have improved, it may be [...]
Daily Fact #25 – Beer and Interstitial Cystitis
Is it safe to drink beer when you have interstitial cystitis (IC) or bladder pain syndrome (BPS)? In our 2009 Wine, Beer & Spirits Survey, lighter lager, american ales, ambers, pilsners and pale ales were the least bothersome beers, such as Miller Genuine Draft Light and Blue Moon Pale ales. The most irritating beers were [...]
Daily Fact #24 – Pregnancy and IC
If you're wondering if you can have a baby after a diagnosis of IC, take heart! Thousands of IC patients have had successful pregnancies and children. The most common question asked by potential mothers is "Will my IC get worse during a pregnancy?" In our experience, some IC patients go into remission or experience a [...]
Daily Fact #23 – Cranberry Juice and IC
Contrary to popular belief, cranberry juice and cranberry products are NOT helpful for all bladder conditions. In fact, cranberry can provoke increased urinary frequency, urgency, pressure and, as thousands of interstitial cystitis patients can attest to, severe pain and discomfort. Cranberry juice is known as the "acid-bomb" in IC patient support groups and has long [...]
Daily Fact #22: Interstitial Cystitis and Botox
Botox is used for several bladder conditions When most people think of Botox, they think about wrinkles, preventing aging and, after treatment, a face that is oddly expressionless. Ironically, though, Botox has been used for the treatment several bladder conditions. Originally a Step 5 treatment option, in 2014 it was reduced to a Step 4 [...]