You may be asking yourself; "What is interstitial cystitis?" Let me explain:
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic bladder condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms vary from case to case and even in the same individual. People may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate, a frequent need to urinate, or a combination of these symptoms. Pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills with urine or as it empties. Women’s symptoms often get worse during menstruation. They may sometimes experience pain during vaginal intercourse.
Because IC varies so much in symptoms and severity, most researchers believe it is not one, but several diseases. In IC, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or stiff.
Some people with IC find that their bladder cannot hold much urine, which increases the frequency of urination. Frequency, however, is not always specifically related to bladder size; many people with severe frequency have normal bladder capacity when measured under anesthesia or during urologic testing. People with severe cases of IC may urinate as many as 60 times a day, including frequent nighttime urination.
I have had the HydroDystention(bladder stretching that's spoken about here-painful-and my bladder is only 450cc, the average bladder size is 1000cc)
An estimated 3.3 million U.S. women, or 2.7 percent, who are 18 years of age or older have pelvic pain and other symptoms, such as urinary urgency or frequency, that are associated with IC.
What Causes IC you may ask?
Some of the symptoms of IC resemble those of bacterial infection, but medical tests reveal no organisms in the urine of people with IC. Furthermore, people with IC do not respond to antibiotic therapy. Researchers are working to understand the causes of IC and to find effective treatments.
Many women with IC have other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, Restless Leg Syndrome and fibromyalgia. Scientists believe IC may be a bladder manifestation of a more general condition that causes inflammation in various organs and parts of the body.
Researchers are beginning to explore the possibility that heredity may play a part in some forms of IC. In a few cases, IC has affected a mother and a daughter or two sisters, but it does not commonly run in families.
What are the Treatments for IC?
Scientists have not yet found a cure for IC, nor can they predict who will respond best to which treatment. Symptoms may disappear with a change in diet or treatments or without explanation. Even when symptoms disappear, they may return after days, weeks, months, or years. Scientists do not know why.
Because the causes of IC are unknown, current treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Many people are helped for variable periods by one or a combination of treatments. As researchers learn more about IC, the list of potential treatments will change, so patients should discuss their options with a doctor.
No scientific evidence links diet to IC, but many patients find that alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeinated and citrus beverages, and high-acid foods may contribute to bladder irritation and inflammation. Some people also note that their symptoms worsen after eating or drinking products containing artificial sweeteners. Eliminating various items from the diet and reintroducing them one at a time may determine which, if any, affect a person’s symptoms. However, maintaining a varied, well-balanced diet is important.
