angela2k4

here is some imfo i got for you.



Here are some basic things you can do immediately to help reduce your IC
symptoms.

The first thing you need to do is eliminate certain things from your diet
that make the symptoms worse. You need to cut out all sodas--both diet and
regular--they are very acidic and make the bladder burn and flare.

Secondly--no coffee or tea unless you absolutely have to drink it--there is
somethng called coffee Tamer that you put in the coffee to make it less
acidic. The Tamer products can be ordered online. There is low-acid
coffee that can be combined half and half with the low acid coffee.

No chocolate--it contains caffeine and is acidic and makes the bladder burn.

Cut out all sugar and white flour products and white rice. You may need to
stop whole grains.
The sugar products and sweetners made from aspertane (nutrisweet) make the
bladder worse.
Also sugar contributes to candida yeast problems that may be present anong
with IC.

Eat whole foods and make things from scratch. Packaged foods contain
additives and MSG which make the bladder symptoms worse.

Learn about the alkaline diet--it makes the body more alkaline and helps the
body begin to heal. There are many foods you have to avoid at the
beginning.

This is a short list of things to avoid: Tea, Coffee, Alcohol, Vinegars,
Pickles, Mayonnaise, Cranberry Juice & extracts, Orange Juice & Squash,
Tobacco, Strawberries, Apples, Oranges, Herbal Teas, Melons, Seasonings,
Spices, Additives, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Fizzy Drink (Diet & Reg), Yogurts,
Sweeteners, Chocolate (although some Icer's can tolerate White Chocolate),
Pizza, Curries, Processed Meats and Cheeses.

Water is important-- find a bottled spring water that is alkaline. Evian is
very alkaline, but not all ICers can tolerate it at first. It made my
bladder have an achy burn so I use Arrowhead water. Do not drink city water
that has chlorine in it--the chlorine makes the bladder burn. You may need
to test several bottled waters to find one that is right for you.

Get sodium bicarbonate (baking soda from the grocery store). Put 1/4 to 12
teaspoonful in a small glass of water and dring mid morning and mid
afternoon. Don't use the baking soda after 6 pm or you have trouble
sleeping. Only use the baking soda if you do not have high blood pressure.
The baking soda makes the body more alkaline and the bladder does better
when the body is alkaline. You can add the baking soda to a bottle of water
mid morning and mid afternoon rather than a small glass of water if you
don't mind the taste. It is important to drink lots of water to keep the
urine dilute so it will not burn the bladder as much. With IC the tendancy
is to not drink water because you have to go so much, but it is important to
keep the urine dilute for less symptoms in the bladder.

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