Interstitial Cystitis / Painful Bladder Syndrome - Slideshow

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

An inflammation of the bladder is called cystitis. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition that causes pain and inflammation in the urinary bladder even without infection. Most of the patients are women and the average age of onset is 40 years.

Causes

Exact cause(s) is unknown. Some of the causes suggested include -

• Hereditary factors
• Autoimmune disease
• Defect in the bladder epithelium
• Neurogenic factors
• Unidentified infectious agents

Symptoms

Symptoms of IC are characterized by periods of remission and relapse.

Frequency in urination and urgency to urinate are common symptoms. Other symptoms include -

• Pain in the bladder, lower back, pelvic region
• Urinary incontinence
• Sleep difficulty/Depression
• Sexual difficulties

Diagnosis

There are no specific tests to diagnose IC.

It usually begins by ruling out other illnesses, such as bladder cancer. Diagnosis is done by -

• Physical examination
• Urinalysis/urine culture
• Cystoscopy to inspect the bladder
• Biopsy

Treatment

• Oral medications include heparinoid drugs, anti histamines, aspirins, ibuprofen
• Bladder distention
• Bladder instillation, also called bladder wash
• Surgery, if the patient does not respond to other treatments

Management - Diet

Certain foods aggravate the condition. They include -

• Alcohol
• Spices
• Chocolate
• Foods with Vit C/artificial sweeteners
• Caffeinated foods
• Wine/beer/soy sauce
• Yogurt/cheese/sour cream
• Raisins/bananas

Management - Other methods

• Avoid smoking, as it worsens symptoms
• Regular exercises brings symptom relief
• Bladder training techniques are useful
• Understanding the condition and seeking support groups help to better tackle the condition