There are a number of things we can do together to make a world of difference with interstitial cystitis, but it all starts with talking to your INTEGRIS Health urologist.
Your bladder is a hollow, balloon-like organ that stores urine until it’s ready to be expelled. As the bladder expands, the pelvic nerves communicate to the brain that it’s time to urinate. But chronic inflammation from interstitial cystitis confuses these signals. Your brain might be telling you that it’s time to urinate more often, but you’re actually producing smaller volumes of urine. Interstitial Cystitis can also cause bladder pressure and pain ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain.
We’re not sure exactly what causes interstitial cystitis. If could be due to an autoimmune reaction, heredity, stress, infection, allergy, or some other cause. What we do know, however, is how to make it better. There are a number of simple life changes as well as treatments that can make a world of difference. The first step is talking with an INTEGRIS Health urologist to get a diagnosis and discuss which solution will work best for you.
The following are the most common symptoms for interstitial cystitis. However, you may experience symptoms differently – and these symptoms may resemble other conditions or medical problems, so it’s always best to talk with your doctor. Interstitial cystitis can be triggered by common events such as menstruation, prolonged sitting, stress, exercise and sexual activity. Symptoms include:
If your doctor thinks you might have interstitial cystitis, exams and tests will be required to reach an accurate diagnosis. This begins with your physician asking questions about your health history, symptoms, risk factors and family history of disease, and may continue with more in-depth tests. An interstitial cystitis diagnosis is one of exclusion – meaning your doctor will first need to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. Tests may include:
No simple treatment exists to eliminate interstitial cystitis symptoms, but there are various treatments that will help alleviate symptoms and pain. Not all treatments will work for every person, so you may need to try various combinations of treatments until you find what benefits you the most.
Specific treatment will be determined by your doctor based on your age, overall health, medical history, the extent of the disease and your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies. Of course, your personal opinions and preferences will also be taken into consideration.
