Living with interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder condition, often feels like navigating a roller coaster of symptoms. While one day may feel pain free, the next you are in an intense flare up leaving you in a lot of pain and discomfort. Understanding some IC triggers may help you manage your IC better and leave you with an increased quality of life.

• Dietary factors – certain foods and beverages such as fruits, caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder and trigger a flare up
• Stress – emotional stress or anxiety can exacerbate IC symptoms leading to increased bladder discomfort
• Hormonal changes – fluctuations in hormones, especially during your menstrual cycle or menopause can irritate the bladder
• Physical activity – high impact exercises can put extra pressure on the bladder such as running or sitting for extended periods of time may trigger flare ups

While it may not be possible to completely prevent IC flare-ups, strategies such as keeping a bladder diary or a food journal, managing your stress and staying hydrated, may help reduce IC flare ups and help you manage your symptoms better!

Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov)