Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition of the bladder that causes bladder and pelvic pain and discomfort. People with interstitial cystitis usually have irritated and inflamed bladder walls that cause stiffening and scarring of the bladder.
IC is common in females. The cause of IC is not known yet. Doctors diagnosed it after excluding some other urinary bladder causes.
Diagnosis
Following are the helpful ways in diagnosing IC.
Medical History And Patient’s Bladder Diary
Doctors ask you to explain the symptoms you suffer. They may also advise you to keep a diary for bladder records. In this diary, you will be advised to record the fluids volume you drink and the volume of your urine you pass every day.
Pelvic Exam
The doctor examines the area of the cervix, vagina, and external genitalia during a pelvic exam. They assess the internal pelvic organs of the patients. Your doctor also examines the area of your rectum and anus.
Urine Test
Doctors analyze the sample of your urine to indicate the signs of any urinary tract infection.
Cystoscopy
Health care professionals use a thin tube and a tiny camera in this procedure to insert through the urethra, showing your bladder lining. They measure the capacity of your bladder by injecting liquid into it. This procedure is called hydrodistention.
Biopsy
The doctor may remove a sample of your bladder tissue during the procedure of cystoscopy. They perform a biopsy procedure under anesthesia. Doctors also remove the urethra tissue to examine it under a microscope.
They do this to check the cancer of the bladder and other causes that may lead to bladder pain. Although, these causes are rare still your doctor examines your bladder for these causes for a complete diagnosis.
Urine Cytology
The doctor collects the sample of urine and examines the cells in it to detect cancer.
Potassium Sensitivity Test
Doctors place two types of solutions into your bladder in this procedure. One is water and another is potassium chloride. They ask you to rate the urgency after they instilled each solution. You have to rate the urgency and pain on a scale from 0 to 5.
Doctors diagnose interstitial cystitis if you feel more urgency and pain with the solution of potassium as compared to water. People who have normal bladder cannot explain the difference between these two solutions.
Complications
Interstitial cystitis can produce many complications including:
- Reduced Bladder Capacity
IC causes stiffening of the walls of the bladder which permits your bladder to hold less amount of urine.
- Lower Quality Of Life
Frequent pain and urination disturb your social activities, work, and other daily life activities.
- Problems Of Sexual Intimacy
Frequent pain and urination strain your personal relationships. As a result, sexual intimacy will suffer.
- Emotional Problems
Interrupted sleep and chronic pain are linked with interstitial cystitis that can cause depression and emotional stress.
Treatments
Simple treatments cannot eliminate the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. A specific treatment does not work for all. Combinations of treatments can find the best approach for you to relieve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists help you to relieve your pelvic pain that is associated with restrictive connective tissue, muscle tenderness, or muscle abnormalities in the area of your pelvic floor.
Oral Medications
Oral medications that help to improve the symptoms of IC are:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Antihistamines
- Pentosan polysulfate sodium
Nerve Stimulation
Nerve stimulation has two types.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- Sacral nerve stimulation
Bladder Distention
People notice temporary relief from symptoms after cystoscopy with the procedure of bladder distention. It is stretching of your bladder with the water. The doctor will repeat the procedure if you get long-term relief from bladder distention.
Doctors Instill Medications In Your Bladder
Doctors place a medicine named dimethyl sulfoxide (Rimso-50) in the area of your bladder with the help of a flexible and thin tube or catheter that is inserted through your urethra. The solution is sometimes combined with other medications like a local anesthetic.
The medicines remain in the region of your bladder for 15 minutes. The solution will be expelled when you urinate. The doctor might prescribe you dimethyl sulfoxide every week for six above weeks and some maintenance treatments in a couple of weeks for more than one year.
The latest approach to bladder installation uses a specific solution that contains sodium bicarbonate, medications lidocaine, heparin, or pentosan.
Surgery
Doctors rarely prefer this treatment to treat interstitial cystitis because removal of the bladder can cause other complications. It does not give you relief from the pain.
Surgical options are:
- Fulguration
- Resection
- Bladder augmentation
