What is Interstitial Cystitis(IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome?
Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome is a persistent issue affecting the health of the bladder. A sensation of ache and tension in the region of the bladder. Along with the ache, lower urinary tract signs have been around for more than 6 weeks with no sign of a sickness or distinct basis.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. In some cases, the signs may appear periodically, while in others they persist. IC/BPS is not a contagious disease, however it might be experienced as if it were a urinary tract infection. Women with IC/BPS may feel pain when having sex. The worst forms of IC/BPS can have a great impact on both you and the people close to you. A number of people suffering from IC/BPS are also afflicted with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other painful disorders.
The urinary system, which is composed of the bladder and kidneys, are the organs of the body that are accountable for the production, storage, and elimination of urine. You have 2 kidneys that make urine. Then urine is stored in the bladder. The muscles in the lower section of your stomach are responsible for keeping your bladder in the correct place.
How the Urinary System Works
When it is empty of urine, the bladder is not tense. Your brain sends signals that alert you when your bladder is full and make you feel the urge to urinate. You can postpone going to the bathroom if your bladder is functioning properly. Once the body is prepared to excrete urine, the brain sends a notification to the bladder. Then the bladder muscles squeeze (or “contract”). This makes the urine pass through the urethra, the tube that conducts urine away from the body. The urethra has muscles called sphincters. The muscles in the pelvic area aid in maintaining a seal for the urethra to stop accidental spills of urine before one has a chance to go to the restroom. These sphincters relax when the bladder contracts.
Pain
Pain, usually combined with pressure, is the most frequently seen symptom in individuals suffering from IC/BPS. People with IC/BPS may suffer from increasing discomfort in the bladder as it begins to become full. Patients may encounter agony in areas other than the bladder, for instance the urethra, lower region, lower back, or possibly the female pelvic or perineal area (behind the vagina in females and behind the scrotum in males). Females may suffer discomfort in their vulva or vagina, while males can experience pain in their scrotum, testicle, or penis. It is possible for the hurt to be constant, or it may intermittently appear and disappear.
Frequency
IC/BPS sometimes starts with urinary frequency. The need to urinate more frequently than usual is called frequency. It is generally agreed that the typical individual does not pass urine more than 7 times daily. They do not need to wake up more than once during the night to go to the restroom. A person who has IC/BPS will typically experience frequent urge to urinate during the daytime and nighttime. As frequency becomes more severe, it leads to urgency.
Urgency
Urgency to urinate is a common IC/BPS symptom. People with certain conditions experience a persistent and persistent craving to go to the restroom, even immediately after they have just done so. The individual being treated might not be aware of or perceive this as an issue. In some cases, the beginning is much more dramatic, with indications that are extreme arising quickly, within a few days, weeks, or months.
Many IC/BPS sufferers can name certain activities or triggers that exacerbate their symptoms. Certain foods or beverages can cause an intensification of symptoms for some people. Patients often notice that their symptoms increase when they experience stress, either due to physical or mental factors. For women, the symptoms may vary with their period. People of both genders who suffer from IC/BPS may be affected in their sexual lives due to this ailment. Females may experience discomfort during sexual intercourse as the bladder is situated just ahead of the vagina. Male individuals may experience discomfort during orgasm or post-orgasmic pain the subsequent day. This disorder usually does not cause urine leakage, and if it does, it could be an indication of some other issue.
Who Gets IC/BPS?
It is difficult to work out how many people suffer from IC/BPS due to the lack of a standardized method to identify it. It is generally acknowledged that Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) is much more frequently found in females than males; this is usually two to three times higher. Moreover, research has demonstrated that the chances of getting IC/BPS grow as individuals age.
It is thought that between 1 and 4 million males and 3 to 8 million females display symptoms of IC/BPS. We might be overestimating the differences between genders, as some males diagnosed with prostatitis or other related disorders may actually have IC/BPS (interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome). At the moment, there is no proof that stress could be the origin of IC/BPS. It is a well-known fact that if someone has Interstitial Cystitis (IC), stress of any kind–whether physical or mental–can lead to an intensification of symptoms.
Interstitial Cystitis and Coffee
Do you have a fondness for coffee and also have Interstitial Cystitis? You are likely mindful that coffee has both a high acidic level and a high caffeine content. Having a cup of coffee in the early hours of the day is a common occurrence for a lot of people, but for those with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) it can be an extremely hard feat.
This post will analyze the association between Interstitial Cystitis, otherwise identified as painful bladder syndrome, and coffee. I am proposing arrangements that will supply you with the ideal chance to find a coffee that truly satisfies you and encourages you to not just start drinking coffee again but to relish it and imbibe with assurance. Keep reading to learn more!
Consuming coffee can pose difficulties for people who have the bladder issue known as Interstitial Cystitis (IC). The two main difficulties for companies that deal with instant coffee are caused by the nature of coffee beans.
Acidity
Caffeine
The coffee cherry has a seed inside it which is commonly known as the coffee bean. The seed acts as a store for the plant. The coffee bean holds many compounds, including organic acids, polysaccharides, lipids, cellulose and caffeine. This mixture results in the variety of flavours, aromas and stimulating effects that many people around the world enjoy each day to start their morning.
The acidic nature of coffee beans
Organic acids that are produced in nature, for example Chlorogenic acid, Malic acid, Citric acid, Quinic acid, and Phosphoric acid, are what give Arabica coffee beans their acidic flavor. The amount of these organic acidic substances determine the acidity of the coffee. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) in particular, and CGA -5 specifically. Decreasing the level of chlorogenic acid-5 is the essential factor in making a truly low-acid coffee. The best way to handle CGA content is by toasting. (We’ll talk more about that soon).
The next issue for some IBS sufferers is caffeine. Coffee beans have an abundance of caffeine, which can have a damaging effect on the bladder of those who have Interstitial Cystitis. Let’s consider caffeine next.
IC and Caffeine Content
Besides the sharpness I mentioned, the caffeine content in caffeinated coffee can worsen bladder issues. Coffee’s acidity is often said to be the principal factor in causing symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome, but for some, caffeine can be just as troublesome. Good news for those with IC is that decaf coffee has improved significantly in both its lack of caffeine and its flavor and quality. Decafs these days generally have caffeine concentrations lower than 1%.
Mitigating Acidity and caffeine
Now that we have identified acidity and caffeine as possible causes of IC symptoms, let’s look at ways to reduce them. Different approaches exist for decreasing acidity in coffee, many of which involve specific techniques and can have different levels of effectiveness. The most successful way to noticeably lower acidity concentrations is by slow cooking.
Slow Roasting
Roasting any coffee bean involves time, temperature, and airflow. For slow roasting, the coffee bean is cooked at a high heat over a longer period of time. This subject has been investigated by the scientific community for nearly four decades. I discussed it in my article entitled, “The Science Behind Slow Roasting”.
The net result of slow roasting are as follows:
A coffee bean that is very low in acid.
The coffee is very smooth without bitterness.
Has a more sweet natural full bodied flavor.
100% All Natural process.
Opting for coffees that are slow-roasted at a low acidity grants you a cup with a vibrant natural taste and a low-acidity profile. Let’s turn our focus on decaf.
Decaffeinating Coffee Beans
Coffees that have been decaffeinated using natural water processes can be found easily, and they are highly efficient at getting rid of caffeine from coffee beans. Rather than relying on solvents such as Methyl Chloride in traditional decaffeination approaches, water processed decaffeinated coffees are free of any chemicals, with organic varieties even available.
Good news: There are good options
Many people with IC can have coffee without any issues. Every case is different because everybody’s health circumstances are special to them. Certain individuals suffering from Interstitial Cystitis can consume coffee which is low in acidity and not experience any stimulant effects of caffeine. Others need a decaffeinated low acid coffee. So where to go from here.
Using the pH score to select a coffee.
I assured you that I would provide you with data and implements that you could employ. Here is a simple tool. Know the pH score. I discussed this user-friendly way of evaluating low acidity coffee in greater detail in my essay entitled Measuring Low Acid Coffee.
Searching for low acid coffees in marketplace
This is what you are likely to encounter in the market. Most roasters do not mention their pH level. You just have to trust that they are saying it has low acidity. Sometimes a rating may be supplied, yet supporting evidence is never provided, and almost never is it authenticated by an outside source.
Make sure you find a pH score that is at least 5.5 and that the product is tested in a laboratory.
Beware of tips and tricks.
There are numerous ways to address coffees acidity. Regrettably, the majority of them only have a subtle impact, and a few might cause a noticeable change in acidity, but only a select few will produce a meaningful result. We will analyze the numerous pieces of advice appearing online, then we will take a look at approaches that are more sensible.
Brewing
A quick note on brewing your coffee. A cold brew will change the pH level to some extent, but not as much as a coffee brewed with slow-roasting, low-acid beans would. It also requires patience, as you have to wait between 12-24 hours; or what if you want your coffee having heat in it?
You can enjoy slow-roasted, low-acid coffee, regardless of if you prefer it hot or cold, without having to add anything to it: it tastes good even without a creamer or sweetener! This process is simple and straightforward and provides the greatest amount of acid reduction. Perfect for making coffee at home, featuring top-notch mixtures, or single-source varieties.
Additives to your coffee
Some people add various “things” to their coffee. The repertoire of ingredients grows–from salt, sugar and baking soda to soy, almond milk, and lactose free creamers. If that works for you, more power to you. Nevertheless, there may be additional factors or elements that could be beneficial to consider.
Using cream will involve lactose. Incorporating creamers into drinks constitutes the addition of sugar and potentially can be an issue for people with allergies or food intolerances. Using milk alternatives or non-dairy creamer might work for some people, but they may potentially have their own issues such as introducing sugars, allergies to nuts or soy, or other artificial sweeteners. For some folks, no matter what they try, it appears that issues can arise. Although you might see enhanced signs of recovery in one area, it is possible that you could worsen the symptoms in another area.
IC and low acid coffee: putting it all together
If you require a decaffeinated drink with a low acidity level, slow roasting water-based decafs are the ideal selection. Plus, there are organic options. I have been preparing coffees with reduced acidity and decafs made with water for almost two decades now, providing relief to those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Barrett’s syndrome, and other similar conditions like Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Can I drink coffee with interstitial cystitis?
Coffee which has been slowly cooked at a low temperature has a low acidity level and a pleasing, mellow flavor. If caffeine is a problem. Select a water based slow roasted low acid coffee. There are small amounts of left-over caffeine in them with a concentration of only 0.004%, and their pH level can get as high as 6.39, which is generally considered to be a good thing.