Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder syndrome. It is a chronic disorder in which the patient will feel bladder pressure, bladder pain, and pelvic pain. Mostly, women are affected by it and..
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder syndrome. It is a chronic disorder in which the patient will feel bladder pressure, bladder pain, and pelvic pain. Mostly, women are affected by it and it can have a long lasting impact on the quality of life. The exact cause of IC is still to be found, but it is highly probable that many factors contribute to the spread of this disease. For example, defect in the epithelium (protective lining of the bladder) is also seen in patients suffering from IC. The leak in the protective lining mix toxic substances with urine, which leads to irritation in the bladder wall. It is believed that autoimmune reactions, heredity, infection, and allergy contribute to IC, but it is still to be proved. Associated factors with high risk of IC include females, age of a person (30 years or older), and chronic pain disorder.
Some common symptoms that occur with IC are:
- Ache in the pelvis, between the vagina and anus in women, and between scrotum and anus in men.
- Urge for urination, which is persistent.
- Frequent urination throughout the day, in small amounts.
- Feeling relieved after urination and discomfort if the bladder is full.
- Painful sexual intercourse.
Some of the probable causes of this disease include:
- Allergy.
- Spinal cord trauma.
- Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
- Autoimmune disorders.
- Overdistention or bladder trauma.
- Genetics or heredity.
The main risk factors are:
- Diminished life quality.
- Decreased sexual intimacy.
- Emotional distress.
To prevent the occurrence of this disease, one should take care of the following things:
- Drinking plenty of liquids.
- Taking showers rather than bathing in the tub.
- Emptying the bladder soon after intercourse.
- Gently wash the area around the genitals.
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Our superspecialist doctors provide the highest quality of care through a team-based, doctor-led model. Trained at some of the world's most renowned i..... Continue Reading