Causes

The exact causes of IC/PBS is not properly understood. Scientists believe that it is a local (bladder) manifestation of a more general inflammatory condition involving other body organs too.

It may be interesting to note that women with IC/PBS also suffer from illnesses, such as fibromyalgia or, irritable bowel syndrome.

Interstitial Cystitis Foundation which was founded in 1995 describes causes of IC as follows -"Interstitial Cystitis is generally caused by a chronic inflammation of the bladder wall, and produces symptoms that wax and wane. Scientists aren't certain what triggers the inflammatory process; suspects include previous infections; unidentified substances in the urine; defects in the cells lining the bladder; disorders of nerve functions; activation of mast cells, which play an important role in allergic reactions; or a combination of these factors.

Whatever the cause, the affected bladder wall is hypersensitive to stimulation and the presence of even a small amount of urine causes it to contract. As a result, discomfort is almost constant during flares of interstitial cystitis; pain and pressure are relieved only temporarily after responding to each urge to urinate."

Bacterial infection has been ruled out, despite the fact that some of the IC/PBS symptoms closely resemble those of bacterial infection. Another reason for ruling out bacterial infection is due to the fact that the patients fail to respond to antibiotics.

Research is being carried out in this field to understand the causes, including the role of heredity, and to come up with better possible treatments for this elusive condition.

ICF estimates that an average person with IC consults SEVEN doctors before the condition gets correctly diagnosed.

The following medical conditions have been known to be associated with IC –