Interstitial Cystitis| Women need to know

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial Cystitis, pronounced as "in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis" is a syndrome of the bladder which leads to pain in the bladder and causes bladder pressure.

The basic function of the bladder is to expand when it's full and give signals to your brain that its time to urinate. But with Interstitial Cystitis, such signals get mixed up. This urges you to urinate, even when the bladder is not full. 

Does Interstitial Cystitis go away?

Interstitial Cystitis has a long-lasting impact. Although there is no cure for it, still with proper medications, you may get relief to a great extent.

Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis:

As every individual differs from each other in some of the other ways. Same is the case with Interstitial Cystitis too. The sign and symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis are not same in each individual and may differ. Even individual person symptom also vary over time and does not remain the same.

Some of the common symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis are:

↪ Chronic pelvic pain
↪ Pain in your pelvis in women
↪ Pain in vagina in women
↪ Steadfast need to urinate
↪ Frequent urination

Risk factors associated with Interstitial Cystitis:

Sex: Women are more diagnosed with this disease rather than men.

Age: Normally it has been seen and found that people over the age of 30 or more are found with Interstitial Cystitis.

Skin: You won't believe, but having a fair skin is associated with high risk of Interstitial Cystitis.

How is Interstitial Cystitis diagnosed?

As the symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis and other urinary bladder disorders are almost alike, there is no prescribed or known and fixed test for Interstitial Cystitis diagnosis. However, a physical examination, laboratory tests like Urinalysis and Potassium sensitivity test and Biopsy examination may be performed.

Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis:

Oral Medications: It includes a low dosage of antidepressants and other medications like gabapentin and antihistamines.

Bladder distension: Studies have shown that patients going for Bladder distension have found some relieve from Interstitial Cystitis to an extent.

Bladder instillation: In this process, the bladder is filled with a solution for a period of time. The solution is stored in the patient's bladder for over a maximum time of 10 to 15 minutes. After this, it is drained through a catheter which is a type of narrow tube.

Are there home remedies for Interstitial Cystitis?

Well, YES. There are home remedies, which when followed properly and taken care of, may reduce the pain and symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis.

↪ Limit the consumption of certain food as mentioned or prescribed by your doctor.
↪ Quit smoking.
↪ Do regular exercise including bladder training.

Though as said above that Interstitial Cystitis is not curable. But if the patient follows a proper diet and medications, the pain and symptoms can be reduced rapidly. Do regular exercise and eat healthy foods and fruits too. This will not only help you with the pain of Interstitial Cystitis but will also keep you away from other diseases and make you a better well-being.