Mailbag! STOP Annoying Bladder Problems the Natural Way
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 17, 2022
My doctor diagnosed me with interstitial cystitis a few months ago, and I was hoping you could suggest something to make my symptoms easier to deal with.
–Leslie from Kansas City, MO
Leslie,
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the bladder. About five percent of women suffer from it.
Scientists point to a dysfunction in the bladder wall that allows particles in the urine (like potassium) to leak into the lining of the bladder, causing inflammation and pain.
But the bigger question is: what is causing the symptoms?
There are two things that might be causing the dysfunction: food sensitivity or autoimmune disease.
Studies have shown that over 85 percent of people with interstitial cystitis have trigger foods that make the pain worse. The most common include coffee, tea, spicy foods, and alcohol, but truthfully, any food could be cause symptoms.
The best way for discover which foods are causing your problems is to try an elimination diet.
First, begin by removing all of the following from your diet:
- nuts,
- corn,
- soy,
- dairy,
- citrus fruits,
- nightshade vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, paprika),
- wheat and foods containing gluten,
- pork, eggs, seafood,
- and all vegetable oils (corn, soy, canola).
Stay away from those foods for two weeks. Symptoms should go away or at least greatly reduce.
If you don’t see any change in your symptoms, then either food is not your problem OR you are still eating and drinking something that’s causing symptoms.
The best way to reintroduce foods is one at a time, then waiting for a few days before adding in more. For example, eat tomatoes one day and then you see if your symptoms return after two to three days. If they do, then tomatoes may be a trigger food. If you don’t have any pain, then try the next food.
Most people have to do a few rounds of the elimination diet, spaced a few months apart, before they figure it all out.
The good news is that following an elimination diet can help both causes of interstitial cystitis (both food allergy and autoimmune disease).
The last thing that works really well is marshmallow (the plant, not the sugary treat). You can get marshmallow at any health food store, either in pill form or as a tea. I advise my patients to take 2-4 pills a day or drink it as a tea. Marshmallow has been used for centuries for relieving bladder pain and can work great.
P.S. Have a health concern that’s worrying you? Click here to submit your questions and get featured in the weekly mailbag!
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
9 Modern Health Threats that ACTUALLY Matter
The world is a scary place sometimes. It can feel like we’re surrounded by health threats and forced to seek out miracle cures to fix them. But here’s the thing. When everything feels so urgent, it’s easy to get caught up in minor concerns while overlooking the real threats to your wellbeing. While debates about...
Ancient Wise Man's Gift Brings Modern Pain Relief
As we exchange gifts to celebrate Christmas today, we remember the biblical story of the Three Wise Men bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While you might be hoping to find some gold in your stocking this year, it turns out that frankincense could be the REAL treasure—especially if you’re battling knee pain. Yes,...
Mailbag: Restless Legs Ruining Your Sleep? Try THIS
“What can I do to help my restless legs? They bother me in the daytime if I sit down for a while, but some nights, it keeps me up all night.” – Looking for a Leg Up on Sleep Hi Leg Up, Few things are more frustrating than being nestled all snug in your bed,...
The Simple Metabolic Health Hack You’re NOT Using
If you’re like most Americans, you don’t give much thought to your metabolism. But here’s a shocking statistic that might change your mind… One in three U.S. adults is walking around with hidden metabolic syndrome. This ticking time bomb is a cluster of conditions that can send your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type...
The Sunshine Vitamin's Surprising Heart Benefits Revealed
Most folks know that vitamin D is vital for bone health. And if you’re a regular Living Well Daily reader, you also know how critical it is for overall health. But now, incredibly, a new study has revealed something that could change how we think about the “sunshine vitamin” forever. Researchers uncovered evidence that this...
Discover How Gut Bugs Shape Your Brain Health
We’ve all experienced an intuitive “gut feeling” before. But what if I told you your gut is doing FAR more than just sending you hunches? A new study has uncovered a fascinating link between the bacteria in your digestive system and your brain health. It might just change everything we thought we knew about preventing...
Build a Stronger Immune System at Any Age
As we age our immune systems need a little extra TLC to keep us healthy and strong. But don’t worry, boosting your immunity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, some of the best immune-boosting strategies are simple habits you can incorporate into your daily routine. So, let’s dive into some tried-and-true tips...
Natural Solutions to Snoring
Regardless of whether you’re the snorer or the unfortunate bedmate, snoring is a source of stress for countless couples. The endless, rhythmic, sawing sounds can disrupt the rest of even the deepest sleepers. But before you resort to earplugs or separate bedrooms, let’s explore some natural ways to tackle snoring. Snoring isn’t just annoying. It...
Shedding New Light on Depression with this “Sunlight” Hack
You’ve likely heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This form of the blues hits as the leaves fall and the days grow shorter. Well, new research reveals that the same therapy that helps many folks battling SAD feel better could be a ray of hope for those fighting other types of depression, too. Here’s what...
Mailbag: Reverse Atherosclerosis Naturally? Science Says Yes—Here's How
“What actually reverses heart clogging?” -Heartfelt Hi Heartfelt, I have good news. We used to think reversing arterial plaque buildup or “heart clogging” was impossible, but now we know better. When my own patients ask me about atherosclerosis (the medical term for clogged arteries), I explain that—while complete reversal can be challenging—research confirms that specific...