Women suffering from interstitial cystitis tend to have suffered from
The condition affects 500,000 people in the UK who are told that there’s no cure and that they have to endure it. Patients are often in a gruelling journey of GPs or gynaecologists and urologists but with no results. Patients feel that the conventional treatment appears to be only symptoms-based and not able to tackle the root cause of this extremely debilitating condition.
What exactly is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?
Interstitial cystitis is an extremely painful and stressful condition, that is characterised by constant Urinary urgency (feeling the urge to urinate right away) and frequent urination (frequent urinary frequency) as well as pelvic pain. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis can differ among people and even change over time in the same person. Many sufferers have to live their daily with their bladders because of the uncomfortable symptoms. The phrase “cystitis” is a reference to 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 can be diagnosed when symptoms are present but without evidence of another source of the symptoms.
90% of those suffering from interstitial cystitis are females and the median age at which symptoms manifest is 40 years old, but all ages can be affected. Although it has not been deemed to be a hereditary disorder however, there have been multiple cases within certain families, triggering further investigation to determine if there is a genetic connection.
Women suffering from interstitial cystitis tend to have suffered from frequently recurring urinary tract infections as well as to have undergone Gynaecological surgeries than women with interstitial cystitis. Certain chronic diseases have been identified as occurring more often in those who suffer from interstitial cystitis than the general population.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus also known as SLE)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Allergies
Endometriosis
Vulvodynia (chronic discomfort in the vulvar region)
Fibromyalgia
Interstitial cystitis can be classified into two types: non-ulcerative and ulcerative, dependent on whether or not there are ulcers within the bladder the lining. Star-shaped, swollen ulcerations on the wall of your bladder are referred to by the name Hunner’s (or Hunner’s) ulcers. The ulcerative (classic kind) caused by interstitial cystitis can be seen only in about 10 percent of cases. The stiffening and scarring of the bladder wall can result from long-term inflammation, that can cause a decline of bladder volume. A few areas of bleeding could be observed on the bladder’s walls.
What causes interstitial cystitis?
There is no consensus among orthodox physicians that knows the exact cause of interstitial cystitis, but since the symptoms vary and varied, many researchers believe it is a range of diseases rather than a single illness. One research area has been focusing on the layer that covers the bladder’s lining known as the glycocalyx. It is composed of mainly compounds known as glycosaminoglycans and mucins (GAGs). This layer typically shields the bladder from the harmful consequences of urine. Researchers have discovered that the protective layer in the bladder can be “leaky” in approximately 70 percent of patients with interstitial cystitis. It is believed that this could allow the urine-borne substances to get through the bladder wall, where they could trigger interstitial cystitis.
Potassium is a chemical which could be responsible for the damage to the bladder wall. Researchers have identified a substance called antiproliferative factor (APF) that is believed to inhibit the normal growth of cells that comprise the bladder’s lining. APF has been found mostly in urine of those suffering from interstitial cystitis. The research is in progress to understand the role that APF in the development of interstitial cystitis.
Other theories on the causes of interstitial cystitis include that it’s a form of autoimmune disorder , or infection by an unknown organism could be causing damages to bladder and concomitant symptoms.
Our approach focuses on every piece of the health puzzle to get the complete picture. We tackle all the root issues with our treatment for interstitial cystitis.
What are the symptoms and signs that are indicative of cystitis interstitial?
The signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis differ from one individual to another , however they share some resemblances to an infection of the urinary tract. It is characterized by:
Increased bladder capacity
Urination needs to be done often, both at night and daytime
A feeling of pressure, pain and tenderness in the bladder, pelvis, as well as the perineum (the space between the vagina and the anus or the scrotum and anus) which can increase when the bladder is filled and decrease when it is empty
Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
The pain or discomfort can be felt in the scrotum or penis
In the majority of women, symptoms tend to worsen around the time when they experience their menstrual cycle. Stress can also increase symptoms. The symptoms typically have an infrequent onset and frequency of urinary discharge is the most frequent early sign. As the progression of interstitial cystitis continues over time and periodic periods of painful episodes (flares) as well as remissions are common. It can be mild or severe enough to become severe. It is possible for symptoms to vary throughout the day.
How can interstitial cystitis be diagnosed?
Since the signs and signs of cystitis interstitial resemble to other conditions of the urinary tract and since there is no specific test for identifying interstitial cystitis, doctors need to be sure to rule out other ailments before making a diagnosis of the cystitis. Some of the conditions that must be ruled out are vaginal or urinary tract infections and bladder cancer. inflammation or infection due to abdominal radiation, eosinophilic as well as tuberculous cystitis endometriosis and neurological disorders and sexually transmitted disorders and urinary tract infections that contain tiny amounts of bacteria and, for males, chronic bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis. Tests that can help diagnose other disorders include a cystoscopy, urine culture or biopsy of the bladder’s wall, and, for men the examination of the prostatic secretions.
What is the standard treatment for interstitial cystitis?
The most common oral medicine is Elmiron it is chemically identical with the chemical substance which line the bladder. There is a belief that Elmiron aids in the repair and repair of bladder. After therapy has started the patient may suffer from symptoms for a while due to the fact that the sensory nerves within the bladder have been overactive taking time for nerves to return to their normal levels of activation. The doctors recommend giving one year of treatment for mild interstitial cystitis. Two years in cases of severe interstitial cystitis prior to deciding if the treatment is efficient or not. Between one and two-thirds of patients improve within three months after treatment.