A urologist is a doctor specializing in bladder diseases. Some gynecologists and urogynecologists (women's health doctors) also treat people with IC/BPS. Look for a doctor who has experience taking care of people with IC/BPS.
They may perform a biopsy, removing a small sample of bladder tissue for examination under a microscope. In patients with frequency and urgency of urination, they may perform urodynamic studies to quantify the bladder pressure and capacity, urinary flow, and the patient's ability to empty the bladder.
There is no known cure for interstitial cystitis, although your OBGYN can treat it to control your pain and other symptoms.
Oral medications
Antihistamines, such as loratadine (Claritin, others), which may reduce urinary urgency and frequency and relieve other symptoms. Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic and painful condition of the bladder. People with IC have a bladder wall that is tender and easily irritated, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Although IC currently has no cure, the symptoms can be managed to help you feel better and live more comfortably.
Coffee, soda, alcohol, tomatoes, hot and spicy foods, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices and drinks, MSG, and high-acid foods can trigger IC symptoms or make them worse.
There is no best way to diagnose IC. A variety of tests may be needed. These include urine tests, imaging tests, and biopsy.
In the early phase of IC the symptom flares are intermittent in most patients. Over time symptoms increase and pain cycles may appear and last for 3-14 days. When these cycles become more frequent and last longer they are likely to be referred to a specialist.
IC is a chronic disease. Patients may find some comfort in the fact that it is not life-threatening and it does not lead to cancer. However, because the symptoms are always present, patients need to develop coping skills to deal with them.
If you have ongoing bladder pain or discomfort that includes one or more of these symptoms, you should see a Hackensack Meridian Health urologist. We understand interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and can recommend the next steps for diagnosing and treating your condition.
IC/BPS is often mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection, which it is not. Some IC/BPS patients do have low levels of bacteria in their urine that don't normally qualify as a urinary tract infection and others may have atypical bacteria, such as ureaplasm.
Excessive frequency of urination, urinary urgency, and urethra, bladder or pelvic pain are common symptoms. Treatment is divided into five phases, ranging from lifestyle changes to injections to surgery.
Lifestyle Changes. Changes in behavior, diet and exercise are the first line of IC therapy. These changes can lessen symptoms. Some patients see improvement in tenderness and pain after manipulative pelvic floor therapy.
As your bladder starts to fill, you may feel pain—rather than just discomfort—that gets worse until you urinate. The pain usually improves for a while once you empty your bladder. People with IC rarely have constant bladder pain. The pain may go away for weeks or months and then return.
If you have interstitial cystitis, you'll receive the message to pee much more frequently, sometimes up to 60 times in a day, and the process of holding and releasing urine becomes very painful. For women, the pain in the pelvic region can increase in severity during the menstrual cycle.
Interstitial cystitis (in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis) 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.
Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is an antihistamine that is used for treating allergic and inflammatory skin conditions – it can be used in the treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome as it blocks the chemicals that can cause inflammation.
No known radiographic, ultrasonographic, or other imaging findings are specific for interstitial cystitis. Unless indicated to help exclude alternative diagnoses, radiographic studies have only a limited role in the evaluation of interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is an autoimmune related condition that causes discomfort or pain in the bladder and a need to urinate frequently and urgently. It is far more common in women than in men. The symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may have pain without urgency or frequency.
If you have interstitial cystitis, the signals from the bladder are painful and may occur even when the bladder is not full. The condition most often occurs between ages 20 to 40, although it has been reported in younger people. Women are 10 times more likely to have IC than men.
Urine analysis.
For this test, you collect a small amount of urine in a container. Your provider checks the urine for signs of infection, such as bacteria, blood or pus. If bacteria are found, you may also have a test called a urine culture to check what type of bacteria is causing the infection.
Epstein-Barr Virus as a Potential Etiology of Persistent Bladder Inflammation in Human Interstitial Cystits/Bladder Pain Syndrome. J Urol Sept.
Drink as much water as possible. Water is the best thing for your body, especially for those of us with IC. The spasms and other symptoms will eventually calm down after you flush your bladder. Drink chamomile or peppermint hot teas.
Most Bothersome Foods. There are certain items that are more likely to trigger IC/BPS flares: Coffee (caffeinated and decaffeinated), tea (caffeinated and decaffeinated), soda, alcohol, citrus juices, and cranberry juice. Foods and beverages containing artificial sweeteners.