What Is Interstitial Cystitis? Symptoms, Causes, Treatments & More
What is interstitial cystitus? Find out here!
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder condition that causes burning pain in the lower abdomen and back. It affects women more often than men. IC occurs when fluid builds up between cells lining the inside of the bladder wall. This buildup can cause inflammation and irritation.
What is Interstitial Cystitis (IC)?
IC is an inflammatory disorder of the urinary bladder characterized by pelvic pain and discomfort. There are two main forms of IC: IC with Hunner's ulcers and IC without Hunner's ulcers.
What causes IC?
IC has no known cause. It is thought to be caused by inflammation of the lining of the bladder wall. This leads to swelling and irritation of the bladder lining, causing symptoms such as painful urination, urgency, frequency, and burning sensation.
What are the symptoms of IC?
The main symptom of IC is pain during urination. Other symptoms include frequent urge to urinate, urinary urgency, increased frequency of urination, and pelvic discomfort.
What treatments are available for IC?
There are several different treatment options for IC. These include medications, dietary changes, bladder training, and surgery. Medications used to treat IC include antimuscarinics (e.g., darifenacin), alpha blockers (e.g., tamsulosin), beta blockers (e.g. alfuzosin), and tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., imipramine). Dietary changes include limiting foods high in sugar and caffeine. Bladder training involves learning how to control your bladder so that you can avoid leaking urine when you need to go. Surgery is an option for people with severe cases of IC who do not respond to other treatments.
What are some natural remedies for IC?
Natural remedies for IC include drinking plenty of water, eating more fiber, avoiding alcohol, and taking probiotics. Drinking lots of water helps flush toxins from the body and keeps the urinary tract healthy. Eating more fiber reduces the frequency of urination and helps keep the digestive system functioning properly. Avoiding alcohol helps reduce inflammation in the bladder and prevents UTIs. Probiotic supplements help restore the balance of bacteria in the gut.