Nicole Cozean

As is often the case with me, I had to return the book to the library before being able to finish reading it.

It was quite easy to read, there being short chapters laid out in such a way that one can easily get an overview of their content and including diagrams and patient stories.

I.C. is not a disease well understood by the medical profession, and it may be difficult to get a diagnosis, if at all.

According to the author, symptoms of I.C. which is found in both sexes, are divided into urinary symptoms and pain symptoms.

Urinary symptoms are increased frequency of urination, urgency of urination, nocturia (urgent and frequent urination that occurs at night), decreased urine flow, incomplete voiding of the bladder, bladder pressure and incontinence.

Pain symptoms consist of suprapubic pain (pain a few inches below the belly button and directly above the bladder), bladder or urethral pain, pain or burning related to urination, pelvic pain, lower back, hip, groin or tailbone pain and pain with sex.

Common triggers include;
1) changes in diet
2) changes in hormone levels during the monthly menstrual cycle
3) intensive exercise
4) prolonged sitting
5) sexual intercourse
6) stress

Symptoms of I.C. vary widely from patient to patient.

There is a link between I.C. and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The book contains a chapter discussing the cause of I.C., which is unknown; or it can have one of several causes.

Researchers have discovered a correlation between pelvic surgery and I.C.

I.C. is chronically underdiagnosed.

There is a chapter on the pelvic floor connection – it’s not just the bladder. Many “bladder” symptoms actually emanate from the pelvic floor. “Complete recovery from I.C. is impossible without addressing the pelvic floor.”

Section Two discusses treatments and therapies. It is stated that a holistic approach to treatment gives the best results.

Section Three is entitled “The three stages of recovery: your action plan”.

I am awarding the book three stars and not more since there are several factors that are not included.

Catherine Simone is a former I.C. patient who has cured herself of this invalidating disease: she has penned three books about how she did this, which I have read and reviewed. She informs us that I.C. is a whole body disease, also affecting the gums and giving some of us other symptoms. For example. A stomach ulcer, symptoms of which I have, is one potential symptom.

I would recommend that I.C. sufferers read Catherine Simone’s books which impart valuable advice about useful herbs and much more. She also tells us of the invaluable relief provided by marshmallow root tea, which I for one couldn’t do without.

Also, Medical medium Anthony William advises us to drink undiluted celery stalk juice which he claims will help in general against health problems and specifically I.C. Celery stalk juice undiluted and taken alone with nothing added whatsoever should be taken on an empty stomach every day. You can begin gradually but at least 16 oz a day will be necessary to have an optimal effect. Read his newest book entitled simply “Celery Juice”. (Read my review of the book, if you like.) At the same time you will need to avoid several foodstuffs: Canola oil, dairy products, eggs, gluten, corn, soy, pork products, nutritional yeast, “natural flavours”, vinegar and fermented foods.

Good luck with your efforts to overcome this particularly unpleasant disease!… (more)