Bladder and Urinary Tract Pain from Treatment

Bladder and Urinary Tract Pain from Treatment


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Question:

My chemotherapy has caused burning in my bladder and urinary tract. It is so painful that I cannot continue chemotherapy until this is resolved. Are their any diet changes that will help relieve this burning, or make my urine more alkaline? Would more alkaline urine help relieve the burning?

Answer:

Always talk to your health care team prior to making any changes to your diet or dietary supplements you are using. It is also beneficial to communicate any treatment-related side effects to your health care team.

Possible help from another bladder condition

Interstitial cystitis(IC) is a bladder condition that also leads to painful bladder symptoms and burning. Even though the cause of your bladder pain is different from IC, it may help you to avoid some of the same foods and beverages that cause problems for people with IC. A diet that reduces your intake of foods and beverages that can irritate the bladder is the goal.

The Interstitial Cystitis Network recommends avoiding:

  • Caffeine-tea, coffee, chocolate, soda
  • Carbonated Beverages
  • Alcohol
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • Fruits: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes
  • Vegetables: tomatoes and tomato products
  • Spicy foods
  • Mega doses of vitamins and supplements
  • Aged cheeses: cheddar, brie, gouda
  • Artificial sweeteners: NutraSweet, Equal, Sweet 'N Low

Ways to understand your chemotherapy-related bladder pain

It may be helpful to keep a food and symptom diary as well. Record all foods, beverages, medications, and supplements, and any symptoms you notice after consuming these items. This can help you identify potential bladder irritants.

Different people have different responses to foods, so it might take a bit of time to uncover which foods cause you the most problem. You may want to consult a Registered Dietitian (RD) as well. He or she can help you by:

  • Identifying which diet changes may make a difference to reduce symptoms
  • Making sure that your diet is balanced and nutritionally complete
  • Being a professional support throughout a difficult part of your cancer journey

Other options

There are over-the-counter products designed to reduce the acidity of the foods we eat. Ask your doctor or nurse if this type of product is safe, and if it may be helpful for you

One final option is a dietary supplement called quercetin. The studies on this supplement are preliminary, and more research is needed. However, these small studies do suggest that quercetin can reduce bladder inflammation (1,2). Ask your doctor or dietitian if it is safe for you to try quercetin for your bladder symptoms.

Additional Resources

The following resources provide additional information on managing bladder pain. Even though these focus on interstitial cystitis (IC), some of the changes to eliminate bladder irritants from the diet may be helpful for you too:

The original question and answer were generously donated by Diana Dyer, MS, RD a cancer survivor, registered dietitian, organic garlic farmer, and the author of "A Dietitian's Cancer Story: Information & Inspiration for Recovery & Healing from a 3-time Cancer Survivor.

Question and Answer updated by Tiffany Barrett on behalf of the ON DPG

References

  1. Katske F, Shoskes DA, Sender M, Poliakin R, Gagliano K, Rajfer J. Treatment of interstitial cystitis with a quercetin supplement. Tech Urol. 2001;7(1):44-6.
  2. Theoharides TC, Kempuraj D, Vakali S, Sant GR. Treatment of refractory interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome with CystoProtek--an oral multi-agent natural supplement. Can J Urol. 2008;15(6):4410-4.

Page Updated: May 2013