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Interstitial Cystitis Causes and Risks:
Interstitial cystitis is an inflammation of the tissues of the bladder wall. However, there is no known cause for the inflammation (such as an infection).
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis include the need to urinate frequently; a feeling of urgent need to urinate ; and urinary discomfort including pain, burning, or cramping. Pain may also accompany sexual intercourse. Unlike bacterial cystitis , which is an actual infection of the bladder, there is no obvious cause for interstitial cystitis.
The condition is neither well-recognized nor easily diagnosed. There are approximately 50,000 cases diagnosed each year in the United States, although it is estimated that there may be as many as half-a-million affected individuals.
Interstitial cystitis affects mostly women (9 women are affected for every 1 man) and generally occurs after age 40. For the average person with interstitial cystitis, there is a 4 year delay between the time the first symptoms occur and the condition is diagnosed. This demonstrates both the difficulty of diagnosis and how infrequently this condition is suspected. Many physicians still mistakenly consider interstitial cystitis a psychological problem.
Prevention:
None known.
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Diagnosis is made by ruling-out other causes such as bladder infection , sexually-transmitted disease, bladder cancer, vaginal infection, endometriosis, or other causes. After these have been ruled-out, a cystoscopy is then performed. The characteristic finding of interstitial cystitis is pinpoint bleeding (hemorrhage) in the lining of the bladder.
Sometimes, a biopsy of the bladder wall is helpful to confirm the presence of interstitial cystitis.
Treatment:
There are no standard or consistently-effective treatments for interstitial cystitis. Results vary from individual to individual.
Some of the treatments that are tried include: - DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide, a medication that reduces inflammation) instilled into the bladder
- dilatation of the bladder by hydrostatic pressure (water pressure)
- Chlorapactin instilled into the bladder
- silver nitrate instilled into the bladder
- antidepressants (may have a pain-relieving effect, also helpful for the depression that often accompanies this disorder)
- antispasmodics
- antibiotics (usually not helpful unless there is also a bladder infection )
- surgery
- experimental drugs (Elmiron, Nalmefene)
Support Groups:
A support group may provide you with answers to your questions. Contact the Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) for a local group. On the - East cost, write to:
ICA
PO Box 1553
Madison Square Station
New York, NY 10159
- On the West coast, write to:
ICA
PO Box 151323
San Diego, CA 92115
Prognosis:
Treatment results vary. Some people respond well to simple treatments. Others may require extensive treatments and rarely surgery to relieve symptoms.
Complications:
- chronic pain which may cause a change in lifestyle
- emotional trauma
- high costs associated with frequent medical visits
- chronic depression (and accompanying suicidal thoughts)
- adverse effects of treatments (depending on the treatment tried)
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms suggestive of interstitial cystitis. Be sure to mention that you suspect this disorder; it is not well-recognized nor is it easily diagnosed.
This is an illustration of the female urinary tract. The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning in the body and relative size of the organs are also demonstrated.
This is an illustration of the male urinary tract. The female and male urinary tract are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra. The positioning and relative size of the organs are also shown.
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