By Joseph Hazan,M.D.,FACOG
INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS IS ALSO
KNOWN AS PAINFUL BLADDER
SYNDROME
Approximately 25-85% of women
with chronic pelvic pain may have
IC (interstitial cystitis). The symptoms
are urinary frequency, urgency of
urination, urinary incontinence or
pelvic pain.
Painful intercourse may
also occur.
If you have these urinary symptoms
with negative urine culture, the diagnosis
could be IC.
May appear in girls as early as under 8
years of age as bedwetting. The symptoms
improve for a while, than recur after age 13.
Symtoms of IC could be very similar to
those of endometriosis.
IC and endometriosis could both be present.
In fact one study showed that there was an
overlap in 70% of cases.
IC develops due to damage to the bladder inner
epithelial lining following frequent infections,
vascular insufficiency, increased pain response,
substance P elevation and the alterations in
factors such as APF and THP.
Some patients who have IC may also have the
following:
Fatigue
Fibromyalgia
Depression
IBS
Also as mentioned previously endometriosis
may also be present.
Treatment is medical and diet modification.
Alcohol,spices,high acidity foods such as
tomatoes,sodas,citrus fruits should be
avoided.
Smoking cessation and elimination of
caffeine are also important.
REFERENCE
Interstitial Cystitis Association,11o
Washington St.,
Rockville MD 20850
1-800-HELPICA
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