Interstitial cystitis (bladder inflammation)

Skin | Dermatology | Interstitial cystitis (bladder inflammation) (Disease)


Description

Symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC) include bladder spasms (which can be very painful), bladder frequency, bladder pain, low bladder capacity, and incontinence. Very often, Interstitial Cystitis patients are wrongly treated for what their doctors assume must be bladder infections, urethritis, or emotional problems. Repeated symptoms of urinary tract infections which do not show actual infection on testing is a hallmark symptom of interstitial cystitis.

The frequency and urgency which IC can cause is not the same as that brought on by drinking a lot of fluids, or from the use of diuretics, although the symptoms do worsen for some people with coffee consumption, etc.

Causes and Risk factors

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an inflammation of the bladder which can occur by itself or in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases, such as fibromyalgia, scleroderma, lupus, or Sjögrens Syndrome. (Also see: Autoimmune Diseases) Although interstitial cystitis can occur with scleroderma, it is not part of the diagnostic criteria for any form of scleroderma, and many IC patients never go on to develop scleroderma or other autoimmune diseases.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Tests include: bladder biopsy, cystoscopy (telescopic examination of the bladder), urinalysis, urine culture, urine cytology, video urodynamics.

There is no cure for IC, and there are no standard treatments that are known to be effective for most patients. Results vary from person to person. Treatment is based on trial and error until you find relief. Elmiron is the only medication taken by mouth that is approved for treating IC. This medicine coats the bladder like Pepto-Bismol coats the stomach. ...