Traditional Treatments for Bladder Pain

• Bladder pain that is not caused by infection can be treated with a variety of oral medications including ibuprofen for pain, tricyclic antidepressants to relax the bladder and block pain, and antihistamines to reduce urinary urgency and frequency. Additionally, a drug called pentosan is sometimes prescribed. It helps restore the inner surface of the bladder and relieves pain and symptoms over several months.
  
  In addition to oral medications, medications can be instilled in the bladder to relieve pain and urgency.
  
  TENS, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, relieves pain with mild electrical pulses. This can help increase blood flow to the bladder, which helps relieve pain.
  
  Bladder distention is another traditional medical method used for bladder pain. It involves stretching the bladder with gas or water, which can temporarily relieve symptoms.
  
  In rare cases, surgery is used to relieve bladder pain. Bladder augmentation, resection, and fulguration in which ulcers are removed from the urethra can help some patients.
  
  

Alternative and Holistic Cures for Bladder Pain

• If patients decide to opt for holistic cures, there are some methods that can help relieve bladder pain. Bladder pain can often be relieved by eliminating citrus fruits, caffeine, carbonated beverages and foods high in vitamin C. Additionally, the bladder can be irritated by consuming tomatoes, pickled foods, alcohol, spices and artificial sweeteners. An elimination diet in which the patient eliminates all potential irritants and then adds them back into the diet one at a time can help determine which foods are causing problems. Eating a healthy diet can also improve overall health.
  
  Other holistic cures for bladder pain include bladder training, which involves urinating according to a schedule while utilizing relaxation techniques to help relieve urgency and frequency.
  
  Reducing overall stress with biofeedback (self-relaxation for pain relief) techniques, visualization or low impact exercise can also greatly reduce bladder pain.
  
  Pelvic floor physiotherapy has been helpful in some patients. The therapy involves stretching and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, which can reduce muscle spasms.
  
  Several herbs are helpful for maintaining good overall bladder health. These include marshmallow root, which can protect and soothe an irritable bladder; cantharis, which can ease bladder pain; nux vomica which can help with urgency and frequency; and apis, which can relieve pain. Herbs can be taken in capsule, liquid or tea form.