|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Interstitial Cystitis Interstitial cystitis is described by doctors as a disease of unknown aetiology. This is medical speak for we have no idea why it is caused. Cystitis in general just means inflammation of the bladder. This is of course most commonly caused by infection but any irritant can cause cystitis. In interstitial cystitis the cause of irritation is unknown. What are the symptoms? Interstitial cystitis is most commonly manifest by by an increasing discomfort over the lower abdomen as the bladder fills. This usually improves after voiding. Patients find that they pass water more frequently than normal to try to avoid the pain. Research on the causes continues with many possible explanations being explored. None are yet proven. What tests are needed? Many patients have such classical symptoms that special tests are not necessarily needed, most patients however will undergo a bladder check and biopsy. This will look for evidence of the changes of interstitial cystitis. Prominent bleeding vessels in the bladder after a bladder stretch, bladder ulcers and a special type of inflammatory cell within the wall of the bladder. What is the treatment? Normal bladders produce a chemical called GAG or glycose amino glycans. This forms a non stick type layer in the bladder which resists the noxious chemicals that are usually found in the urine. Most treatments centre on trying to bolster this non stick layer. Various oral medications and bladder washes are available for this purpose. Normally your doctor will work through the possible treatments after making a diagnosis. What is the outlook? Interstitial cystitis comes and goes. It is however a lifelong disease, the treatments that the patient is given are to improve the symptoms during flare ups of the disease, in between times treatment is often not needed.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
