Interstitial Cystitis
Medical Revising Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD
Interstitial Cystitis: Signs and Symptoms
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
About 750,000 people in the U.S. (about 90% of whom are
women) suffer from a chronic condition of the bladder known as interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) refers to a clinical syndrome characterized by
symptoms including chronic urinary urgency (feeling the need to urinate
immediately) and frequency (frequent urination). Pelvic pain may or may not be
present. The term cystitis refers to any inflammation of the bladder. Since
the wall of the bladder is inflamed, this can lead to pain and soreness in the
bladder and pelvic areas. The inflammation can also lead to scarring of the
bladder wall that can sometimes reduce the capacity of the bladder to hold
urine. In many cases of interstitial cystitis, small hemorrhages and ulcers are
present on the inner lining of the bladder wall.
Interstitial cystitis is diagnosed when the symptoms occur without evidence
for another cause of the symptoms, such as an infection of the bladder.
Overview of urinary function
The urinary system consists of the kidneys,
ureters, bladder, and urethra. The kidneys, a
pair of purplish-brown organs, are located below the ribs toward the middle of
the back. The kidneys remove water and waste from the blood in the form of
urine, keeping a stable balance of salts
and other substances in the blood. The kidneys also produce erythropoietin, a
hormone that stimulates the formation of red blood cells. Narrow tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the
bladder, a triangle-shaped, muscular chamber in the lower abdomen. Like a balloon, the bladder's muscular, elastic
walls relax and expand to store urine and contract and flatten when urine is
emptied through the urethra. The typical adult bladder can store about 1 1/2
cups of urine.
Adults urinate about a quart and a half of urine each day. The amount of
urine varies depending on the fluids and foods a person consumes. The volume
formed at night is about half that formed during the day.
Normal urine contains
fluids, salts and waste products, but it is free of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
The tissues of the bladder are isolated from urine and toxic substances by a
coating on the inside of the bladder that discourages bacteria from attaching
and growing on the bladder wall.
Next: What is interstitial cystitis (IC)? »
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- Urinalysis - Learn about the urinalysis test. Diseases and conditions such as urinary tract or kidney infection, kidney stones, kidney failure, diabetes, or high blood pressure can be diagnosed or monitored. Source:MedicineNet
- Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy - Read about the side effects of cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, procedures used in the treatment of bladder problems (frequent urinary tract infections, kidney stones). Source:Government
- Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Learn about urinary tract infection causes, symptoms, signs, diagnosis and treatment of UTIs in men and women. Antibiotics may be used to treat recurrent bladder infections. Source:Government
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