Interstitial cystitis is a problem that affects 500,000 individuals in the UK and they are told there is no cure and that they have to endure it. Patients often go exhausted by the process of visiting GPs or gynaecologists and urologists without much successes. Patients believe that the standard treatment is merely unhelpful and does not address the root of the problem. extremely debilitating condition.
What exactly is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?
Interstitial cystitis can be a highly difficult and stressful disorder that is characterised by constant urge to urinate (feeling the urge to urinate instantly) and frequent urination (frequent urine leaks) and pelvic discomfort. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis can vary from person to person and can even change over time in the same person. A lot of people 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 detected in individuals suffering from interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis can be diagnosed when symptoms manifest without evidence of another source of the symptoms.
90% of people suffering from interstitial cystitis are females and the typical age of onset is 40, however, all ages can be affected. While interstitial cystitis hasn’t been deemed to be a hereditary disorder however, there have been multiple cases in certain families, prompting more research to discover a genetic link.
Women suffering from interstitial cystitis have a higher risk to have suffered from frequently recurring urinary tract infections as well as to have undergone previous surgical procedures for gynecology than women who do not have interstitial cystitis. Certain chronic diseases are reported to occur more often in those with interstitial cystitis compared to the general population.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus and 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 on whether or not there are ulcers in the bladder’s the lining. Star-shaped ulcerations within the wall of your bladder are referred to for Hunner’s ulcers. The ulcerative (classic kind) caused by interstitial cystitis can be present within less than 10 percent of cases. It is a result of scarring and stiffening of bladder wall could result from the chronic inflammation which can lead to a decline of bladder volume. The bleeding areas can 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. However, because the symptoms can be varied and varied, many researchers believe it’s a variety of diseases rather than a particular disease. A particular area of study has been focusing on the layer that covers the bladder’s lining known as the glycocalyx. It is composed of mainly substances known as mucins and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). This layer typically protects the bladder’s wall 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 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 a chemical which could be responsible for the damage to the bladder wall. Researchers have identified a substance called antiproliferative factor (APF) which appears to hinder the normal development of cells that comprise the bladder’s lining. APF is found most often in urine of patients suffering from interstitial cystitis. The research is in progress to understand 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 could be causing an injury to the bladder as well as the concomitant symptoms.
Our method focuses on every aspect of the health puzzle to get the complete picture. We take care of all the underlying issues with our treatment for interstitial cystitis.
What are the symptoms and signs for interstitial cystitis?
The signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis differ from one individual to the next, but they do share certain similarities with those of an infection of the urinary tract. It is characterized by:
Increased bladder capacity
Urination is a must often, both at night and daytime
The sensation of pain, pressure and tenderness in the bladder pelvis, as well as the perineum (the region between the vagina and anus or scrotum and the anus) which can increase as the bladder gets full and diminish as it emptys
Painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia)
Pain or discomfort in the scrotum or penis
In the majority of women, symptoms typically worsen during the time they have their period. Stress can also increase symptoms. The symptoms typically have an onset that is slow, and frequency of urinary discharge is the most frequently reported symptoms. As the progression of interstitial cystitis continues over time it can be accompanied by periods of painful episodes (flares) or remissions can occur. It can be mild or severe enough to become severe. The symptoms can be different throughout the day.
How can interstitial cystitis be diagnosed?
Since the signs and manifestations of interstitial cystitis are comparable to the symptoms of other disorders 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. The most common conditions to be ruled out are vaginal or urinary tract infections and bladder cancer. inflammation or infection due to radiotherapy to abdomens, eosinophilic or tuberculous cystitis endometriosis, neurological diseases and sexually transmitted disorders and urinary tract infections that contain minor amounts of bacteria and, for males, chronic bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis. Diagnostic tests to identify other ailments include urinalysis, cystoscopy, urine culture and biopsy of the bladder’s wall, and, for men an examination of the prostate in a laboratory to determine the presence of secretions.
What is the standard treatment for interstitial cystitis?
The primary oral medicine is Elmiron that is chemically related with the chemical substance which line the bladder. The theory is that Elmiron aids in the repair in the condition of the bladder. After therapy has started patients might be experiencing symptoms for a period of time because the sensory nerves of the bladder have been overactive which takes some time to allow nerves to return to normal activation. Doctors suggest giving one year of treatment in cases of mild interstitial cystitis, and two years in cases of severe interstitial cystitis before deciding whether the medication is efficient or not. Between one and two-thirds of patients improve within three months after treatment.