Interstitial cystitis: understanding the syndrome.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic pain syndrome that affects close to a million people in the United States. The syndrome presents differently in many individuals, with the unifying factor being chronic pelvic pain and disruption of daily life activities. Many etiologies have been proposed as causative factors for IC, although it is likely triggered by more than one process. Treatment for many individuals revolves around symptom management and improving quality of life; however, it is imperative to remove aggravating factors such as food and daily stressors. Treatment will vary for individuals, as symptoms and etiology will differ. This article discusses nutritional and other non-toxic approaches to treating IC.