Interstitial Cystitis (cont.)
What is interstitial cystitis (IC)?
Interstitial cystitis (IC) refers to a clinical syndrome
characterized by chronic urinary urgency (feeling the need to urinate
immediately) and frequency (frequent urination) with or without pelvic pain.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis may vary among individuals and may even vary
with time in the same individual. The term “cystitis” refers to any inflammation
of the bladder. In contrast to bacterial cystitis that results from an infection
in the bladder, no infectious organism
has been identified in people with interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis is diagnosed when the symptoms occur
without evidence for another cause of the symptoms.
Sometimes doctors use the term painful bladder syndrome
(PBS) to describe cases of pelvic pain that do not meet the strict criteria for
interstitial cystitis established by the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) for inclusion in research
studies relating to interstitial cystitis and its causes.
An estimated one million Americans suffer from
interstitial cystitis. About 90 percent of patients with interstitial cystitis
are women. While individuals of any age can be affected, including children, the
average age of onset is 40.
Interstitial cystitis
has not been considered to be a hereditary disorder, but multiple cases have
occurred among some families, prompting ongoing investigation of the possible
role of hereditary factors in the development of interstitial cystitis.
Some associations with other medical conditions are seen
with interstitial cystitis. Women with interstitial cystitis are more likely to
have had frequent urinary tract infections, and to have had previous gynecologic
surgery than women without interstitial cystitis. Certain chronic illnesses have
been described as occurring more frequently in people with interstitial cystitis
than in the general population. Examples of these associated conditions are
inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematous, irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS), vulvodynia (chronic
discomfort in the vulvar area),
allergies, endometriosis and fibromyalgia. While
each of these conditions has been described in at least some studies to be more
common in people with interstitial cystitis than in the general population, there is no evidence
that any of these conditions is the cause of interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial
cystitis has been classified into two
forms, ulcerative and nonulcerative, depending upon the presence or absence of
ulcerations in the bladder lining as seen during cystoscopy (visual examination
of the inside of the bladder via a probe). Star-shaped ulcerations in the
bladder wall are known as Hunner's ulcers. The ulcerative type of interstitial
cystitis (sometimes
termed “classic” interstitial cystitis) is found in less than 10% of cases in the U. S.
Over time,
interstitial cystitis can cause physical damage to the bladder wall. Scarring and stiffening of the
bladder wall may occur as a result of the chronic inflammation, leading to a
decrease in bladder capacity. Glomerulations (areas of pinpoint bleeding) may be
seen on the bladder wall.
Next: What is the cause of interstitial cystitis? »
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From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
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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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