Interstitial cystitis (in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis) is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. The condition is a part of a spectrum of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome.
People with interstitial cystitis (IC) have repeat discomfort, pressure, tenderness or pain in the bladder, lower abdomen, and pelvic area. Symptoms vary from person to person, may be mild or severe, and can even change in each person as time goes on.
In the early phase of IC the symptom flares are intermittent in most patients. Over time symptoms increase and pain cycles may appear and last for 3-14 days. When these cycles become more frequent and last longer they are likely to be referred to a specialist.
Symptoms of IC include changes in urination such as frequency and urgency; pressure, pain, and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis, and the area between the anus and vagina or anus and scrotum; and pain during sex. There is no best way to diagnose IC. A variety of tests may be needed.
The symptoms may range from just needing to urinate more often to severe pain and urgency. Work, sexual activity and normal social functioning can become difficult or impossible. The symptoms of IC may stay the same over time or get worse. Some patients may go into remission for extended periods.
Interstitial cystitis (in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis) is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. The condition is a part of a spectrum of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome.
End-stage interstitial cystitis is defined as a hard bladder that triggers intense pain and possesses very low bladder capacity. What is this? Many cases of end-stage interstitial cystitis involve Hunner's ulcers. Also known as “end-stage IC”, only about 5% of IC patients develop this severe condition.
Dimethylsulfoxide — Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is a liquid medication that has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). DMSO is put into the bladder through a temporary catheter and is held in place for approximately 20 minutes, if possible.
Coffee, soda, alcohol, tomatoes, hot and spicy foods, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices and drinks, MSG, and high-acid foods can trigger IC symptoms or make them worse.
Amitriptyline is the medication most commonly prescribed for interstitial cystitis. Elmiron is the only oral drug approved by the FDA specifically for interstitial cystitis. It improves the bladder lining, making it less leaky and therefore less inflamed and painful. The full effect may take three to six months.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), to relieve pain. Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or imipramine (Tofranil), to help relax your bladder and block pain.
Tablets or capsules may be used to treat people with BPS (interstitial cystitis). These include: over-the-counter painkillers – such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. medicines for nerve pain – such as amitriptyline, gabapentin and pregabalin.
Symptoms such as pain in the pelvic area, needing to pee frequently, and the burning sensation when urinating are common in most patients, however, the intensity and duration of IC flares can vary from person to person.
IC/BPS is often mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection, which it is not. Some IC/BPS patients do have low levels of bacteria in their urine that don't normally qualify as a urinary tract infection and others may have atypical bacteria, such as ureaplasm.
Doctors may use cystoscopy to look inside the urethra and bladder. Doctors use a cystoscope, a tubelike instrument, to look for bladder ulcers, cancer, swelling, redness, and signs of infection. A doctor may perform a cystoscopy to diagnose interstitial cystitis (IC).
Most Bothersome Foods. There are certain items that are more likely to trigger IC/BPS flares: Coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated), tea (caffeinated and decaffeinated), soda, alcohol, citrus juices, and cranberry juice. Foods and beverages containing artificial sweeteners.
In fact, aside from dehydration, drinking too little water can result in more acidic urine and more pain. So even if it seems counterintuitive, finding ways to drink more water can actually result in happier IC bladders.
There is no best way to diagnose IC. A variety of tests may be needed. These include urine tests, imaging tests, and biopsy.
No known radiographic, ultrasonographic, or other imaging findings are specific for interstitial cystitis. Unless indicated to help exclude alternative diagnoses, radiographic studies have only a limited role in the evaluation of interstitial cystitis.
Symptoms begin before age 30 in most but an IC diagnosis is often not made until age 40. Genetics appear to play a significant role.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis may include the following: Urinary frequency, urgency, and pain. A sense of pressure, discomfort, or pain in the pelvis. A vague sense of incomplete bladder emptying.
Cystectomy, or surgical removal of the bladder, is a procedure that some physicians may recommend for patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) that is persistent despite more conservative treatments. In one recent review of published studies, the procedure was effective in 80% of IC/BPS cases.
Put in the simplest terms, Ulcerative interstitial Cystitis, or IC is an invisible, lifelong chronic condition that affects the lining of the bladder.
Interstitial Cystitis Facts
It does not spread in the body and does not seem to worsen with time.