Overview
Interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis
is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes
pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. The condition
is a part of a spectrum of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome.
Your bladder is a
hollow, muscular organ that stores urine. The bladder expands until it's full
and then signals your brain that it's time to urinate, communicating through the
pelvic nerves. This creates the urge to urinate for most people.
With interstitial
cystitis, these signals get mixed up — you feel the need to urinate more often
and with smaller volumes of urine than most people.
Interstitial cystitis
most often affects women and can have a long-lasting impact on quality of life.
Although there's no cure, medications and other therapies may offer relief.
Symptoms
The signs and
symptoms of interstitial cystitis vary from person to person. If you have
interstitial cystitis, your symptoms may also vary over time, periodically
flaring in response to common triggers, such as menstruation, sitting for a
long time, stress, exercise and sexual activity.
Interstitial cystitis
signs and symptoms include:
·
Pain in your pelvis or between the vagina and anus in women
·
Pain between the scrotum and anus (perineum) in men
·
Chronic pelvic pain
·
A persistent, urgent need to urinate
·
Frequent urination, often of small amounts, throughout the
day and night (up to 60 times a day)
·
Pain or discomfort while the bladder fills and relief after
urinating
·
Pain during sex
Symptoms severity is
different for everyone, and some people may experience symptom-free periods.
Although signs and
symptoms of interstitial cystitis may resemble those of a chronic urinary tract
infection, there's usually no infection. However, symptoms may worsen if a
person with interstitial cystitis gets a urinary tract infection.
When
to see a doctor
If you're
experiencing chronic bladder pain or urinary urgency and frequency, contact
your health care provider.
Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements,
health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on manage.
Causes
The exact cause of
interstitial cystitis isn't known, but it's likely that many factors
contribute. For instance, people with interstitial cystitis may also have a
defect in the protective lining (epithelium) of the bladder. A leak in the
epithelium may allow toxic substances in urine to irritate your bladder wall.
Other possible but
unproven contributing factors include an autoimmune reaction, heredity,
infection or allergy.
Risk
factors
These factors are
associated with a higher risk of interstitial cystitis:
·
Your sex. Women are diagnosed with interstitial
cystitis more often than men. Symptoms in men may mimic interstitial cystitis,
but they're more often associated with an inflammation of the prostate gland
(prostatitis).
·
Your age. Most people with interstitial cystitis are
diagnosed during their 30s or older.
·
Having a chronic pain disorder. Interstitial cystitis
may be associated with other chronic pain disorder, such as irritable bowel
syndrome or fibromyalgia.
Complications
Interstitial cystitis
can result in a number of complications, including:
·
Reduced bladder capacity. Interstitial
cystitis can cause stiffening of the bladder wall, which allows your bladder to
hold less urine.
·
Lower quality of life. Frequent
urination and pain may interfere with social activities, work and other
activities of daily life.
·
Sexual intimacy problems. Frequent
urination and pain may strain your personal relationships, and sexual intimacy
may suffer.
·
Emotional troubles. The chronic pain and interrupted
sleep associated with interstitial cystitis may cause emotional stress and can
lead to depression.
Jan Ricks Jennings, MHA LFACHE
Senior Consultant
Senior Management Resources, LLC
412.913.0636 Cell
724.733.0509 Office
JanJenningsBlog.Blogspot.com
January 23, 2023
No comments:
Post a Comment