Interstitial cystitis is a difficult medical condition in which patients experience many of the same symptoms as a urinary tract infection (cramping, urinary frequency, and urgency, burning with urination) but without any actual evidence of an infection. For many patients with interstitial cystitis, certain types of foods tend to make the symptoms worse. The foods most often associated with interstitial cystitis flares include carbonated beverages, alcohol, citrus and acidic fruits, processed meats, nuts, cheeses, and certain refined flours. However, every patient with interstitial cystitis is quite unique. Therefore, some foods that affect one patient a great deal will not have an effect on another. In fact, some patients with interstitial cystitis do not notice any problems with any foods. Therefore, you should not rule out interstitial cystitis on the basis of association with foods. As always, the diagnosis and the management of your particular condition will require a physical examination by your personal physician.