Eliminating certain foods, such as those that are acidic or spicy, may decrease the severity of IC symptoms. Also, cigarettes, coffee, tea and alcohol may irritate IC. These techniques can improve the quality of life and reduce the incidence and severity of flare-ups. They include:. For a small minority of patients whose symptoms are severe and who do not respond to other IC treatments, bladder surgery may be considered.
These can be treated using laser surgery, but this is the only use of lasers recommended for IC patients. IC is a chronic disease. Patients may find some comfort in the fact that it is not life-threatening and it does not lead to cancer. However, because the symptoms are always present, patients need to develop coping skills to deal with them. Support and understanding from family and friends are crucial. For further information, contact the National Kidney Foundation at or info kidney.
If you would like more information, please contact us. All rights reserved. This material does not constitute medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. Please consult a physician for specific treatment recommendations. Skip to main content. Interstitial Cystitis. What is interstitial cystitis? The major symptoms are: pain in the pelvic area urgent need to urinate often up to 60 times a day. What causes interstitial cystitis?
The cause of IC is not known, but it may result from conditions such as: allergy vascular blood vessel disease autoimmune disease defects in the lining of the bladder wall presence of abnormal substances in the urine unusual types of infections that are not found with standard tests.
Who gets interstitial cystitis? How is the diagnosis made? A urine sample is studied to determine if there is any bacteria growing in it. The bacteria is then tested to determine which drugs will most effectively treat the bacteria. Urine cytology. An examination of the cells from the bladder lining that are in the urine.
To check for prostatitis in men, prostatic fluid can be examined for signs of infection. Cystoscopy with hydrodistention. This is the main diagnostic tool for interstitial cystitis. Since this procedure can be painful for someone with interstitial cystitis, it is usually performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. The causes of interstitial cystitis are still unknown. Researchers are currently looking into many theories of what causes IC.
The results of that research could lead to potential treatments. IC is not caused by stress, though stress reduction can be helpful and possibly reduce symptoms. IC is also not a psychosomatic disorder. While harmful bacteria can cause common cystitis, neither bacteria nor viruses seem to cause IC.
Because the cause of IC is still uncertain, no definite preventative measures exist. We do know that smoking irritates the bladder and is the number one cause of bladder cancer, so quitting may be the best preventative measure you can take against IC. Genetics appear to play a significant role. It is important to consider these facts when evaluating women with "early IC" because correct diagnosis will result in proper therapy and reduced health care costs.
Keywords: Interstitial cystitis IC ; dyspareunia; interstitial cystitis genetics; interstitial cystitis misdiagnoses; pelvic pain.
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