Interstitial cystitis is classified into two types

The condition affects 500,000 people in the UK who are told that there’s no cure and they are forced to accept it as a part of their lives. Patients often go exhausted by the process of visiting GPs as well as gynaecologists, urologists, and g but with no results. They believe that the standard treatment is merely symptoms-based and not able to tackle the root cause of this extremely debilitating illness.

What is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?

Interstitial cystitis can be a highly difficult and stressful condition that is characterised by constant Urinary urgency (feeling the urge to urinate instantly) and frequent urination (frequent urine leaks) and pelvic discomfort. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis can differ among people and even be different with the time of the same person. Many sufferers have to live their in a bladder-centric lifestyle due to the uncomfortable symptoms. The phrase “cystitis” means any inflammation that occurs in the bladder. Contrary to bacterial cystitis that is caused by an infection of the bladder, no infection has been found in patients who suffer from interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis is identified when symptoms manifest without any evidence of another reason for the symptoms.

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Around 90 percent of people suffering from interstitial cystitis are females and the median age at diagnosis is 40, however all ages can be affected. Although it has not been identified as a hereditary condition however, there have been multiple cases within certain families, triggering further investigation into the possibility of a genetic link.

Women suffering from interstitial cystitis have a higher risk to suffer from frequently recurring urinary tract infections as well as to have undergone surgical procedures for gynaecology than women who do not have interstitial cystitis. Certain chronic diseases have been identified as occurring more often in those with interstitial cystitis compared to the general population.

Systemic lupus and erythematosus (Lupus also known as SLE)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Allergies

Endometriosis

Vulvodynia (chronic discomfort in the vulvar region)

Fibromyalgia

Interstitial cystitis is classified into two types, non-ulcerative and ulcerative, dependent in the absence or presence of ulcerations on the bladder’s the lining. Star-shaped, swollen ulcerations on the wall of your bladder are referred to by the name Hunner’s ulcers. The ulcerative (classic kind) caused by interstitial cystitis can be seen within less than 10 percent of cases. It is a result of scarring and stiffening of bladder wall could occur due to the chronic inflammation that can cause a decrease of bladder volume. The bleeding areas can be noticed on the bladder’s wall.

What causes interstitial cystitis?

There is no consensus among orthodox physicians that knows the exact cause of interstitial cystitis. However, because the symptoms can be varied the majority of researchers believe it’s a variety of diseases rather than a particular disease. A particular area of study is centered around the layer of skin that protects the bladder’s lining known as the glycocalyx. It is comprised of mostly compounds known as glycosaminoglycans and mucins (GAGs). The layer shields the bladder from the toxic consequences of urine. Researchers have discovered that the protective layer in the bladder can be “leaky” in around 70 percent of patients suffering from interstitial cystitis. There is a possibility that this might allow certain urine substances to flow into the bladder wall , where they could trigger interstitial cystitis.

Potassium is one of the substances which could be responsible for damages to bladder walls. Researchers have isolated a compound called antiproliferative factor (APF) which appears to inhibit the normal growth of the cells that form the bladder’s lining. APF has been found mostly in urine of those suffering from interstitial cystitis. Researchers are currently working to determine the role that APF in the development of interstitial cystitis.

Other theories regarding the cause of interstitial cystitis is that it’s a type of autoimmune disorder , or infection by an unknown organism may be responsible for an injury to the bladder and associated symptoms.

Our approach focuses on every piece of the patient’s health puzzle to get the complete picture. We take care of all the underlying issues with our treatment for interstitial cystitis.