The Better Bladder Book: A Holistic Approach to Healing Interstitial Cystitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain

by Wendy L. Cohan

Bladder problems affect millions of people, yet few are comfortable publicly or openly discussing their symptoms, making it difficult for patients with bladder disorders to obtain the support and resources they need. Those who've been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC) or chronic pelvic pain are often told that there is no cure for their ailments. Indeed, standard treatments used with these conditions are not always effective or lasting. As a result, many people with bladder problems are looking for comprehensive information and alternative options for recovery.Wendy Cohan wrote The Better Bladder Book to give people who suffer from bladder problems more options. She guides readers to bladder wellness by emphasizing lifestyle changes and self-treatment. A week-by-week approach begins with an understanding of the diagnosis, leads to discovering the factors that cause or exacerbate symptoms, and ends with implementing the changes needed to reduce symptoms and recover bladder health. Cohan introduces the book with a description of the anatomy and function of the urological system and the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of typical bladder problems. She explains how diet affects the bladder, including the role of food sensitivities, allergies, and intolerance. She creates handy lists of healthful and harmful foods and offers a selection of diets to try, especially allergy elimination, gluten-free, and anti-inflammatory diets. Optional weekly meal plans are included. Like all aspects of health, bladder health is improved by daily exercise, good rest, and a reduction of stress. Cohan describes the benefits of regular exercise on bladder symptoms, its role in stress and pain reduction, boosting the immune system, controlling inflammation, and alleviating depression. Stress reduction techniques are also emphasized. Finally, Cohan supplies tips for a better night's sleep, including practicing good sleep hygiene, additional relaxation exercises, and the use of calming herbal teas.Cohan's goal is to leave no stone unturned in the quest for bladder health. With the diet, exercise, sleep, and relaxation techniques described in the book, the thorough description of medical treatments and procedures, and the question and answer section and other resources, readers should have all the information they need to start their own journey toward better bladder health.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Self Help

433 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2010

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (IC) in 2005 and had my most recent flare-up in July, 2021, that left me reeling. The pain was so intense, I left work in a hurry to visit my doctor's office and was plunged into despair at the realization that my IC was no longer in remission. No quick course of antibiotics was going to fix my discomfort. It was back to the drawing board and researching all over again.

This book is an invaluable reference for anyone who suffers with IC and chronic pelvic pain. It's comprehensive and covers a wide range of topics from the role of food sensitivity to managing symptoms in depth. Traditional treatments through homeopathic remedies, they are all covered. Wendy Cohan, RN includes her own personal experiences, as well as the experiences of others. It's a book that belongs in my own personal reference library.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what we (IC and bladder sufferers in general) needed! There are so many things I find great about this book that it's hard to know where to begin.

First off, Wendy Cohan is a registered nurse, which is great because it means she's a legit medical professional, but equally as important, she is an ex IC and chronic pelvic pain sufferer herself. This is incredibly evident from her depth of understanding of the IC experience and all of the physical and emotional turmoil that comes with it. From her first-hand advice that cranberry juice only hurts those with IC (yes, finally someone said it!) to her candid disclosure about the bleakness the future seems to hold when one is dealing with chronic bladder problems, her first-hand experience really comes through while you read.

One thing I also really love about the text and the author's style is the perfect mix between the use of conventional and alternative approaches. Most health authors seem to pick a side in the debate and then they try to sell you on it. Whereas with Wendy Cohan I feel like it doesn't matter if it's allopathic, homeopathic or just, well, idiopathic, she proposes the cure that is most likely to give the most benefit and healing for the least amount of harm and side effects. No picking sides here. Certainly, this is somewhat borne out of the author's background. Having worked in healthcare all of her life, she is unlikely to disdain it completely. Having had little healing through it though, she was pushed to alternative medicine which seems to have contributed significantly to her healing, thus she is unlikely to reject those approaches either. However, I believe that even given the circumstances, it is a rare person who succeeds to marry two opposing sides so gracefully. For this, I laud Wendy Cohen because no amount of IC experience or late night nursing shifts can accomplish that open-minded blend of viewpoints on their own.

Another thing I really enjoy about this book is its realistic, yet uplifting and reassuring tone. You really do finish the book with a new resolve for your recovery (or at least I did) and not in a delusional type of way. A well-supported rationale for the illness, paired with a franc explanation about the difficulties of recovery and a wealth of proposed ways to tackle the multitude of contributing factors gives you hope and things you can do to help yourself, while keeping your expectations realistic.

Of course, none of this (the uplifting tone, the synthesis of approaches or the author's experience) would have been of much value on its own if the advice given wasn't helpful or plentiful. And I have to say that it is indeed both! Less than a third into the book I had to start a separate list of the little tips and suggestions that she gives throughout because there were so many of them, I couldn't keep track! Having implemented quite a few of them at this point, I also have to say that to me personally they have brought much relief (still working towards healing though).

So I have nothing but good things to say about the book. The one thing that should be kept in mind, however, is that this is not a read-it-and-forget-it type of text. This is actually a very detailed and action-oriented instruction manual. It takes a lot of work, effort, time and resources to implement the suggestions in their entirety. But I would argue that anyone expecting otherwise in the context of healing a chronic illness, was already due for a reality check anyway. Time, effort and dedication, I am learning, is indeed a mainstay in recovery from a difficult to treat chronic condition. To this point I will let the author's own words sum up the idea better than I could: "It takes work and commitment, but let the work of getting well replace the difficulty of living with chronic illness."
Indeed!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone with IC I refer often back to this book. Never read it through but pick it up often as a resource. It is reassuring that the author’s experience managing her IC with diet is the way to go and confirmed my own gluten, dairy and sugar intolerances. Highly recommend. Urologists treat symptoms with drugs and avoid causation this book should be part of any Urology program.

[Stanjay Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a nurse and an interstitial cystitis patient myself, I totally relate to this author's experience and found this book to be very informative and well written.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative book, and I especially like the depth in which the author explains various bladder issues. The author goes into detail for just about every bladder problem I can think of. As a hopeful medical student, I am sure that I will often refer back to this book. The author not only explains the symptoms associated with each condition, but thoroughly shows how to prevent, treat, and alleviate these symptoms. I know several people who suffer some sort of bladder affliction, and will highly suggest this book to them.

[Lailina Eberhard · Rating 5 out of 5]

very helpful! Lots of ideas and different healing techniques, great guide!

[Abdulrazik Ibrahim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good book for the relation between gluten and interstitial cystitis

[Sue Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Better bladder Book is a wonderful resource for anyone who is afflicted with interstitial cystitis (IC), or knows someone who is. Wendy Cohen is a registered nurse who happens to have IC, which gives her a special knowledge of this disease. She goes beyond the medical community into holistic care, offering the reader options not ordinarily offered.

The writing is easy to understand with case studies to help the reader comprehend what Ms. Cohen is explaining. Subjects include diet, food, herbals, acupuncture, chronic pain and one's attitude toward health and staying healthy. This is a positive book with lots of hope, many suggestions and a comprehensive look into what causes interstitial cystitis and chronic pain. This is a must have book for everyone's bookshelf.


Note: received book from publisher

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why you should read this book. It is not just about your bladder it is so much more. In easy to read text it tells how to heal your bladder and Chronic Pelvic pain by using an holistic approach, Herbs,Diet, Physical Therapy.It gives information on Celiac disease,Diabetes,Urinary Tract System and how it works.Also information on the prostate so this book is not just for women.Information on Interstitial Cystitis which is the main topic but there is so much more. who hasn't had a UTI now you will know how to prevent a lot of urinary problems. This book has truly helped my husband and I. It is a keeper to refer to again and again,

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is not a book out there like this one. It has helped me tremendously. as a young women facing IC for the rest of her life potentially I take great comfort in this book. The words come from someone who KNOWS...a nurse with IC.
basically its about treating the body has a whole unit...not in parts because the body works together and when one system is out of whack it can affect the others. Try finding a regular doctor who would agree. I never have...and that is another reason why this book is such a comfort. My beliefs that we can heal ourselves without pharamectical drugs in cases such as these were brought to light with this book.

thank you

[Sue Francisco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly appreciate the level of detail the author, a registered nurse, goes into to educate the reader which is far beyond what you are going to get in your doctor's office. I wish more medical professionals would write books about illnesses they personally have and how they successfully treated those illnesses/ chronic conditions. There is a wealth of diet information in this book that could help anyone looking for better overall health as well as how significantly diet impacts the bladder. Excellent book!

[Nilchance]

This read a little too woo for me. The author is a nurse and doesn't discount the helpfulness / importance of medication, but the book is less about what I needed to read (basic user's guide to IC) and more about alternative medicine. Which is in the actual title, so that's more on me than the author and the book. Hence the non-rating.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Finally an approach to IC that includes the rest of your body, not just the bladder. The book is written in clear easy language to understand and is full of awesome advice.