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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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Latest Medical News


ENABLEX is a prescription medicine used in adults to treat the following symptoms due to a condition called overactive bladder:

  • · having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away (also called "urgency")
  • · leaks or wetting accidents (also called "urinary incontinence")
  • · having to go to the bathroom too often (also called "urinary frequency")

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

You should not take once-daily ENABLEX if you have certain types of stomach problems, glaucoma, or have trouble emptying your bladder. Side effects of ENABLEX include blurred vision, and more commonly dry mouth, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Use caution when doing certain activities until you know how ENABLEX affects you.


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