More than 700,000 people suffer from interstitial
cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and 90 percent are women.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is chronic inflammation of the
bladder that can cause affected individuals to urinate up to 60 times per day,
around the clock and, sometimes painfully. The cause of IC is unknown, but it
is classically associated with allergies, fibromyalgia and other forms of
arthritis. Some speculate it is a result of a virus, while others believe it is
an autoimmune disorder. For many patients IC can destroy quality of life and is
officially recognized as a disability.
There is no cure for IC, however there are treatment plans
that can offer relief. IC patients that carefully monitor their lifestyle
choices, including and especially food choices and meal portions can live a
relatively pain-free life. Certain medications may also help control associated
discomforts.
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| Painful Bladder |
A Difficult Diagnosis
IC is often difficult to diagnose, it can take as long as
two years for an individual to be accurately diagnosed. The symptoms may vary
from day to day, week to week and person to person. After ruling out other
possibilities, a urologist can perform a cystoscopy to view the bladder and
check for glomerulations (spots of blood) on the bladder wall surface. This is
often the best indicator of IC, although an uncomfortable test.
Treatment
While so little is known, research has paved the way for
many women to manage their condition and lead a normal life. The National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is currently
funding research at the University of California Los Angeles to investigate the
condition and possible drugs for treatment and cure.
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| Painful Bladder Syndrome |
Women struggling with IC, also known as, painful bladder
syndrome (PBS) should carefully manage their diet, avoid smoking and
incorporate routine exercise. Although you may not feel like exercising,
physical activity has been shown to alleviate symptoms. Sitting for long
periods of time may also worsen the condition. Pain medications may be
necessary to manage many of the discomforts of this condition.
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