Burning sensation during urination is one of the most common problems faced by women. Mostly urinary tract infection or interstitial cystitis causes this.
The pain increases with the frequent need to visit the toilet. As the urine urgency makes the pain intolerable, many women avoid using the loo.
But, this certain practice can worsen the situation beyond imagination. So, what to do to solve this problem?
Interstitial cystitis is yet to have a permanent cure. But, the keto diet can help reduce this unbearable pain.
Ketosis and interstitial cystitis is a combination advised by many doctors. Well, is the keto diet helpful in doing wonders? To get the answers, you have to join us in this article.
Today we are going to learn a few details about this union! Let us see how ketosis helps to ease bladder discomforts.
Table of Content
Interstitial Cystitis and Keto Diet
Many certified dietitians suggest keto for interstitial cystitis. But why is keto such a head-turner these days? Why is it so different from other low-carbohydrate diets?
You do not need another article on the keto diet. But, it is important to know about interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis can also be referred to as painful bladder syndrome. It causes long-term pelvic issues. IC also includes inflammatory problems while peeing.
So, how is the keto diet connected to interstitial cystitis? Well, the answer is simple. Keto is a diet that immensely helps to reduce inflammation. The biochemical mechanisms involving keto reduces blood insulin.
Keto promotes the idea of intaking healthy fats. The polyunsaturated fats present in the keto diet do wonder in solving pain. Consult your doctor to get the perfect Keto-IC diet for yourself.
Ways to Prevent Urinary Discomfort on Keto
The number of keto dieters is huge in today’s time. It is one of the first three diets among people these days.
The problem arises when it creates bladder issues. Pain and discomfort during urination can create severe health disorders.
It is also a sign of problems related to the kidney. So, while we are opting for keto, we have to know a few things.
We are enlisting some preventative measures that will help during keto. These are going to ease urinary discomfort and help to continue the diet.
Boost Salt Intake
Often, people on keto suffer from a burning sensation while urinating. The main cause behind this is increased acid in the body.
Ketosis and interstitial cystitis are positive to each other, but keto promotes a high amount of protein. And this protein turns the urine acidic. Salt can help solve this problem.
Have Alkalizing Food
Alkalizing foods can also help to reduce pain. It can also protect the body from acid ash.
Acid ash is known to make the body vulnerable to bacterial attacks. Keto-friendly alkaline foods will help in this situation.
Balance Fat Intake
Keto diet suggests having more healthy fats. But, often, people fail to recognize healthy fats.
Different kinds of unsaturated fats are there. Choose the Omega 3 fats for a better living.
Are You Losing Too Much Weight While on Keto Diet?
Increase antioxidants
Antioxidants are extremely helpful during the keto diet. One can mitigate the symptoms of UTI and IC by having more antioxidants.
Cranberries are enriched in antioxidants, and it is also keto-friendly. Try to have cranberries or cranberry pills.
Have Chicken Broth
Chicken broth is packed with amino acids. It plays a vital role in eliminating toxins from the liver.
Drinking this twice a day will help to remove unwanted pathogenic bacteria. Finally, the discomfort of urination will also heal.
Ensure Adequate Hydration
Last but not least, “Hydration”! Water plays a significant role in all kinds of diet.
Many patients who suffer from UTI and IC do not have enough water. They are afraid of even more urine urgency. But this is where they make mistakes!
Increased hydration eliminates the acid from the body with urine. Besides, it helps to regulate the toxins in the body.
Keto-Friendly Foods to treat Interstitial Cystitis
Food and beverages highly impact our bodies. But, are all foods good for our system? The answer is “NO.”Ketosis and interstitial cystitis is not a magic combination. You have to make it effective.
You probably are guessing a few unhealthy foods right now. But, with a little change in the diet, we can receive the best outcome.
Keto suggests taking unsaturated fat, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates. Unsaturated fat is of two types. They are monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.
Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are included in the polyunsaturated fats. But, according to researchers, Omega 6 fat can cause inflammation in the bladder.
A poor diet filled with Omega 6 fatty acid results in chronic pain. It is also the reason behind inflammation.
Foods enriched in Omega 3 fats
- fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, arctic char, and trout
- eggs (including omega-3 enriched)
- flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
- walnut
- tofu
- canola oil
- some margarine, juices, and yogurts
Foods enriched in Omega-6
- soybeans
- corn
- safflower and sunflower oils
- nuts and seeds
- meat, poultry, fish, and eggs
To reduce the pain, eat
- Fresh, canned, or frozen fruits and vegetables
- Whole grain products
- Legumes.
- A moderate amount of lean meats and poultry.
- Oily fish (high in O-3FAs).
- Skim milk products
To reduce the pain, avoid eating
- Omega 6 fats present in processed foods, bakery products, and corn oils
- Saturated fats
- Trans fats
- Cholesterol from animal and processed products.
- Sugar
- Alcohol
Ketosis and Bladder Irritation
Ketosis usually soothes the pain related to interstitial cystitis. But, the keto diet is responsible for frequent urination.
This sometimes creates doubts in the patients suffering from IC. As they are already afraid of urinating, they stop continuing keto.
To avoid such problems, include and eliminate food items. Some foods can trigger the issues. So, a doctor’s suggestion is needed in this state.
The body needs some time to adapt to any type of diet. Make sure you give that time to yourself. Do not rush into anything. Consistency is the key here! As I said before, you have to make the ketosis and interstitial cystitis combo an effective one.
Difference between UTI and IC:
Urinary tract infection and interstitial cystitis are both equally painful. It can be the cause of extreme pain if not treated on time.
But, many people do not know the difference between these two issues. One in five women suffers from one of these two in her lifetime.
Let us see how to diagnose the problems by seeing the symptoms!
UTI
It mainly affects the bladder and the urethra. A bacterial attack in the mentioned organs results in UTI. The bladder lining becomes red and swollen. The symptoms include:
- Urinary urgency
- A burning sensation while urinating.
- Abdominal pain
- Pelvic pressure
- Lower back pain.
- Lower abdominal discomfort
- Bloating
- Pressure in the lower pelvic area when urinating.
- Blood in the urine.
- Cloudy urine
- Fever
- Chills
IC
Interstitial cystitis, or IC, is also known as a painful bladder system. It is a problem involving chronic pain. The symptoms of IC are often similar to UTI. The symptoms include:
- Pain in the bladder
- Pain in the pelvic region around the bladder
- Painful urination with no presence of bacterial infection
- Urine urgency, even if the bladder is not full.
The main difference between UTI and IC is the presence of bacteria or infection. Bacteria causes UTI. But, it is not the same for IC.
Women who suffer from IC suffer from pain during sexual intercourse. But, UTI does not include any such issues.
Treatments of Interstitial Cystitis:
Interstitial cystitis does not have any permanent cure yet. But, it has treatments. To get relief from the pain and discomfort, one can do these:
- A specialized pelvic health physical therapist gives physical therapy. The therapist should be trained in IC.
- Dietary changes
- Adequate hydration.
- Bladder instillation
- Medications
- Bladder distention
These can help a patient get ease from the extremely painful symptoms. A doctor should start the treatment as soon as possible.
One should consult a doctor before starting any diet. Patients who have kidney or heart disorders should avoid anything extreme.
FAQ
Can keto cause interstitial cystitis?
The Keto diet can help lose weight. Though it has some side effects, it does not cause interstitial cystitis.
With the keto diet, the bladder gets a frequent urge to urinate. It occurs as the body uses up the glycogen. Glycogen is the stored form of carbohydrate.
Frequent urination can irritate the bladder if someone has a urinary tract infection. One can treat it with proper medication and hydration.
Does keto help interstitial cystitis?
According to scientists, food affects pain management in the body. Certain food and drinks can affect chronic pain conditions.
Diet can both reduce and increase pain in sensitive issues. But, keto is a helpful process to lessen the pain of interstitial cystitis.
This diet promotes the intake of a healthy diet and lean protein with a little carbohydrate. The high polyunsaturated fats present in keto foods help to reduce the pain.
What are the UTI symptoms on the keto diet?
UTI or urinary tract infection does not show different symptoms on keto. But, keto makes the bladder feel the need to urinate more frequently. The body uses the glycogen resulting in urinary urgency.
Some symptoms of UTI are:
- Urinary urgency
- A burning sensation while urinating.
- Abdominal pain
- Pelvic pressure
- Lower back pain.
- Lower abdominal discomfort
- Bloating
- Pressure in the lower pelvic area when urinating.
- Blood in the urine.
- Cloudy urine
- Fever
- Chills
People on the keto diet sometimes complain about bladder irritation. But, scientists need to perform more research to put a conclusion to that.
Keto is a low-carb diet. This type of diet can boost blood sugar levels. And the rise of ketones can be the reason behind bladder irritation.
The amount of protein is also high in this diet. The calories from protein are more acidic, resulting in a burning sensation during urination.
Conclusion
Anything that disturbs the organic process of the body should be taken care of. Proper treatment at the right time is what saves a person from further issues.
The same goes for interstitial cystitis. Physicians often discuss Ketosis and interstitial cystitis together.
It is because of the health impact that keto leaves on the body. But, consult your doctor before you start keto to treat your interstitial cystitis.
