Interstitial Cystitis (IC/BPS): Self-Care Treatment

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Dietary modification may help symptoms. Some people with IC/BPS report that certain foods irritate their bladders and cause painful IC/BPS flares. 

Review IC/BPS triggers and your current diet to identify irritants.

Often an elimination diet helps to identify triggers for flares.

Start by creating a list of the foods you think cause your bladder to flare. Add to that list foods that are the most bothersome for IC/BPS. It is key to follow the diet for at least a month, it may take time for the bladder to heal and identify any triggers.

Some irritants include: 

• Spicy foods: Peppers, chili, spicy sauces. Indian food, Mexican food, Thai food

• Acidic foods: cranberry juice, grapefruit & grapefruit juice, pineapple & pineapple juice, strawberries, and tomatoes. 

• Caffeine: Coffee and tea, soda and chocolate. 

• Beverages: Alcohol, carbonated drinks (cola, non-cola, diet, and caffeine-free), artificial sweeteners (Equal, NutraSweet)

• Others: Monosodium glutamate (MSG), yogurt, horseradish, pickles, processed sandwich meats (salami, bologna), soy products