Interstitial Cystitis
A chronic condition of the bladder characterized by urinary urgency, frequency and pelvic pain in the absence of bacterial infection or other definable pathologies.
Irritable Bladder Syndrome
Uncontrolled contraction of the bladder wall (detrusor muscle) producing urgency and sometimes leakage (urge incontinence).
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS
(VOL. 4 SUPPL. 1 REVIEWS IN UROLOGY)
Chinese Herbs
Herbal tea and pills have been used to treat IC patients who were referred for herbal therapy as offered as a treatment alternative. A pilot study utilized the herbs in a tea twice a day for 6 days a week for 3 months, then once a day.
Of 25 patients, 61% had a significant decrease in pain at 4 weeks, and an additional 22% had a significant response at 3 months