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Interstitial Cystitis And UTI: What Is The Relationship? - Dr. Akl

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Dr. Akl describes the relationship between urinary tract infections (UTI) and interstitial cystitis and explains which food exacerbates interstitial cystitis symptoms.

Dr. Akl:
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis can resemble symptoms of a urinary tract infection. However, usually urinary tests and culture and sensitivity comes back negative. So if you think you have symptoms of urinary tract infections you might want to consult a specialist to help rule out or diagnose interstitial cystitis.

Female patients ask me all the time, “What is the relationship between what I eat and symptoms of interstitial cystitis?” There are some foods that are cleared by the kidneys and go into the bladder that can irritate the bladder wall and exacerbate symptoms of interstitial cystitis. That’s why dietary modifications are one of the main pillars of treatment of interstitial cystitis.

There is a long list of foods that can exacerbate symptoms of interstitial cystitis. However, the most common are caffeine, caffeinated beverages, spicy foods, and citrus juices.

About Dr. Mohamed Akl, M.D.:
Dr. Mo Akl is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and fellowship trained in Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive surgery. Dr. Akl completed four years of residency training in general Obstetrics and Gynecology at Hurley Medical Center affiliated with Michigan State University followed by an additional three years of fellowship training in urogynecology and pelvic reconstructive surgery at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, one of the best training institutions in urogynecology, pelvic surgery, laparoscopic and da Vinci robotic surgery.

Visit Dr. Akl at the AZ Urogynecology & Pelvic Health Center

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Anonymous

I think more should be educated with this condition. I took my daughter's friend from Dr. to Dr. on her pain on urination. Until she was diagnosed by a Dr. that his Mother had the same condition, for her it was a miracle. She went on the right medication and is okay. Well later in life, I started to get UTI's after UTI's. I was so careful too. I did get a hospital acquired infection that went to my kidney years ago. So off to be tested. I was diagosed with the condition also. The Dr. assured me of this also. This does not mean you should not get your urine checked for sometimes the dip stick may show no infection and a culture is needed. I had awful burning on uriniation. It seemed more than not my cultures came back positive for infections. After an infection the bladder may feel symptoms of you still having an infection also especially if have interstitial cystitis. Some people take UTI's not serious enough and may let it go. It by far not so. For I saw a 32 year old female that let her's go. thinking only a uriniary infection. Well she had bladder stone, during removal she coded. She was sent to ICU. The infection went to kidney to her blood, and then got a rare condition called ARDS. She asked if she had AIDS. I told her no. The lungs look like snow. I have seen elderly survive this. I saw almost every Dr. in this hospital come to try to save her. She was intubated, but even the tube would not make her more comfortable. She died. I never forgot this young lady for she left 3 toddlers and was a single mother. So, use your gut intuition if you feel ill get it checked out. But UtI's are no condition to laugh about, unless you like peeing razor blades. Just keep good hygiene. A strong soap is not necessary either. Clean front to back for a reason. Keep hydrated is important also. I no longer take the meds for interstitial cystitis. I am sure my formulary never heard of them, but lately I am having a lot of symtoms. As a retired medical professional, I say never give up. If you have a problem keep on coming back util you get a diagnosis. One thing never let anyone tell you oh it is gas pains. By the time my gallbladder was removed it was a mess and the dye they gave me I did not absorb in the stones. I was told all the pain was from nerves to gas pains that shot up my back upper right shoulder. So I do think not many know of this condition interstitial cystitis. I believe more information should be given to all. Joan

October 7, 2017 - 6:44am
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