If you have the misfortune of having both, you may be wondering if they are related.
Let’s take a look at what is known about interstitial cystitis and any possible overlap with IBS.
What Is IC?
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Interstitial cystitis is a health condition in which a person experiences chronic pain and discomfort related to the bladder.
IC symptoms can wax and wane without any clear pattern.
Similar to IBS, IC is diagnosed after other disorders have been ruled out.
For women, IC symptoms may be exacerbated duringmenstruation.
For both men and women, IC may contribute to pain during sexual intercourse.
Anelimination dietshould be used to identify problematic foods so as to avoid unnecessary nutrient restriction.
As you will see, many of these foods are alsofoods that may trigger IBS.
The reason for the overlap is unknown but does suggest a more system-wide dysfunction.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & Facts of Interstitial Cystitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & Causes of Interstitial Cystitis.
Parsons CL.How does interstitial cystitis begin?Transl Androl Urol.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for InterstitialCystitis.
Ratner V.The Interstitial Cystitis Association of America: lessons learned over the past 30 years.Transl Androl Urol.
2015;4(5):491498. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-4683.2015.09.02
