Interstitial
cystitis, or IC, can be difficult to diagnose and even harder to treat. Also
called painful bladder syndrome, it can mimic other health problems, such as
kidney stones or bladder infection. Your doctor may need to rule out other
causes before diagnosing you with IC and take your medical and family history
as well as perform a physical exam.
The
kidneys filter waste products and create urine, which is passed into the
urinary bladder. The urinary bladder can usually hold between two and four cups
of urine at a time, but when you have IC, you may have frequent, painful urges
to go. While the average person voids between six and eight times a day,
someone with IC may go up to 40 to 60 times a day.
Symptoms
can vary from person to person, and they may come and go. However, the
condition is considered chronic, and most people will suffer a relapse.
Common symptoms include:
Common symptoms include:
▪
Painful pressure
▪
Pain in the lower tummy, pelvic area or urethra
▪
Pain in the vagina or vulva in women
▪
Pain in the penis, scrotum or testicles in men
▪
Feeling the urge to urinate nearly constantly
▪
Intercourse pain
▪
Burning pain with urination
▪
A dull ache, a stinging sensation or burning pain
An
inflamed bladder is a universal symptom, and up to 10 percent of sufferers will
develop bladder ulcers. Your doctor may recommend more than one method of
testing to rule out more serious problems and distinguish between IC and a
normal bladder. The cause of IC is not fully understood but may be related to
immune system attacks on the urinary tract and abnormal nerve stimulation or
response.
Sufferers
are about 90% women, and symptoms often first appear in the 40s. Lifestyle
changes can be helpful. Common triggers include menstrual periods, stress,
chocolate, tomatoes and citrus fruits. Limit your intake of foods and drinks
that could worsen your symptoms, and practice relaxation techniques such as
meditation to relieve stress. If you smoke, quit smoking, and limit your intake
of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages. Low-impact exercise such as walking or
stretching can be quite helpful for some patients. Your doctor may recommend
physical therapy to help relax your pelvic muscles for bladder retraining so
that you can hold more urine. Anti-inflammatories or other medications may be
prescribed.
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