Interstitial cystitis is a long-term (chronic) inflammation of the bladder wall.  Treatment results vary. Some people respond well to simple treatments and dietary changes. Others may require extensive treatments or surgery.

1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Cystitis
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2. Overview
Interstitial cystitis is a long-term
(chronic) inflammation of the bladder wall.
Treatment results vary. Some people respond well
to simple treatments
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3. Overview
and dietary changes. Others may require extensive
treatments or surgery.
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4. Symptoms
Common symptoms of interstitial cystitis
include:
-- Pain during intercourse
-- Pelvic pain
-- Urinary discomfort
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5. Symptoms
-- Urinary frequency (up to 60 times a day in
severe cases)
-- Urinary urgency
Many people who have
long-term interstitial cystitis are also depressed
because of the
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6. Symptoms
pain and changes to their lifestyle.
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7. Diagnoses
The diagnosis is made by ruling out other
causes. Tests include:
-- Bladder biopsy
-- Cystoscopy
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8. Diagnoses
(telescopic examination of the bladder)
-- Urinalysis
-- Urine culture
-- Urine cytology
-- Video urodynamics
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9. Diagnoses
(shows how much urine must be in the bladder
before you feel the need to
urinate)
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10. Treatment
There is no cure for IC, and there are no
standard treatments that are known to be effective
for most patients. Results
vary from person to person. Treatment is based on
trial and error until you
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11. Treatment
find relief.
Elmiron is the only medication taken by mouth
that is approved for treating IC. This medicine
coats the bladder like
Pepto-Bismol coats the stomach.
Other medicines may include:
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12. Treatment
-- Narcotic painkillers
for severe pain
-- Tricyclic
antidepressants such as amitriptyline
to relieve pain and urinary frequency
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13. Treatment
-- Vistaril (hydroxyzine
pamoate), an antihistamine that causes
sedation, helps reduce urinary frequency
Other therapies that may be tried include:
-- Over-filling the
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14. Treatment
bladder with fluid while under general
anesthesia (bladder hydrodistention)
-- Bladder training
(using relaxation techniques to train the bladder to
go only at specific times)
-- Medicines placed
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15. Treatment
directly into the bladder, including dimethyl
sulfoxide (DMS), heparin,
Clorpactin, lidocaine, doxorubicin,
or bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine
-- Physical therapy
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16. Treatment
and biofeedback (may help relieve pelvic floor
muscle spasms)
-- Surgery, ranging
from cystoscopic manipulation to bladder removal
(cystectomy)
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17. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
Some patients find that changes in their diet
can help control symptoms. The idea is to avoid
foods and beverages that can
cause bladder irritation. Below are some of the
foods that the Interstitial
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18. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
Cystitis Association says may cause bladder
irritation.
-- Aged cheeses
-- Alcohol
-- Artificial
sweeteners
-- Chocolate
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19. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
-- Citrus juices
-- Coffee
-- Cranberry juice
(Note: Although cranberry juice is often
recommended for urinary tract
infections, it can make IC symptoms worse.)
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20. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
-- Fava and lima
beans
-- Meats that are
cured, processed, smoked, canned, aged, or that
contain nitrites
-- Most fruits
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21. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
except blueberries, honeydew melon, and pears
-- Nuts except
almonds, cashews, and pine nuts
-- Onions
-- Rye bread
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22. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
-- Seasonings that
contain MSG
-- Sour cream
-- Sourdough bread
-- Soy
-- Tea
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23. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
-- Tofu
-- Tomatoes
-- Yogurt
Experts suggest that you do not stop eating
all of these foods at one time. Instead, try
eliminating one at a time to see
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24. Treatment
**Dietary changes**
if that helps relieve your symptoms.
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25. Causes
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a painful
condition due to inflammation of the tissues of the
bladder wall. The cause is
unknown.
IC is often misdiagnosed as a urinary
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26. Causes
tract infection. Patients can go years without a
correct diagnosis. On
average, there is about a 4-year delay between the
time the first symptoms
occur and the diagnosis is made.
The condition is most common around ages 30
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27. Causes
to 40, although it has been reported in younger
people. Women are 10 times more
likely to have IC than men.
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