Interstitial Cystitis (cont.)
Are there any special concerns about interstitial cystitis?
Cancer
There is no evidence that PBS/IC increases the risk of bladder cancer; however,
the long-term effects of PBS/IC have not been well-studied and require further
observation and research.
Pregnancy
Researchers have little information about the
relationship between pregnancy
and PBS/IC but believe that PBS/IC does not affect fertility or the health
of the fetus.
Some women have a remission from PBS/IC during pregnancy while others have more pain
and pressure during the third trimester, possibly due to the weight of the fetus
on the bladder.
Coping with PBS/IC
The emotional support of family, friends, and other individuals with
PBS/IC is
very important in helping patients cope with PBS/IC. Studies have found that
patients with PBS/IC who are educated about PBS/IC and become involved in their own care
do better than patients who do not. Support groups for people with interstitial
cystitis also have
been beneficial for many.
What is the prognosis (outcome) of interstitial cystitis?
PBS/IC is a chronic
condition that is characterized by periods of relapse and remission.
Doctors do not fully understand why the symptoms worsen at particular times or
disappear and then reappear months or years later. Symptoms may be mild or
severe and may vary in intensity even in the same individual over time. There is
no cure for
PBS/IC, and treatments are directed at reducing the severity of symptoms.
There has
been no treatment that has been shown to be effective in slowing the progression
of the disease or in preventing recurrences.
- PBS/IC is an inflammatory disease of the bladder that can
cause ulceration and bleeding of the bladder's lining and can lead to scarring
and stiffening of the bladder.
- The symptoms of PBS/IC are pelvic pain
as well as urinary frequency and urgency.
- PBS/IC has a variable clinical course, meaning that symptoms can appear and
disappear over time. Moreover, the intensity of symptoms varies among
individuals and even within the same individual over time.
- The cause of
PBS/IC is
unknown, but abnormalities in the leakiness or structure of the lining of the
bladder are believed to play a role in the development of PBS/IC.
- The diagnosis of PBS/IC is based on the symptoms, an abnormal potassium
sensitivity test (PST), and
elimination of other conditions that may be responsible for the symptoms.
- Treatment for PBS/IC most commonly utilizes heparinoid drugs to help restore
integrity of the bladder lining along with other oral medications. Bladder
distension and intravesical drug therapy are other treatments that may provide
relief in PBS/IC.
Additional sources of information about PBS/IC:
Interstitial Cystitis Association of America
110 North Washington Street, Suite
340
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone:
1-800-HELP-ICA (435-7422) or 301-610-5300
Fax:
301-610-5308
Email: icamail@ichelp.org
Internet: http://www.ichelp.org
American
Urogynecologic Society
2025 M Street NW., Suite 800
Washington, DC 20036
Phone:
202-367-1167
Fax: 202-367-2167
Email: augs@dc.sba.com
Internet: http://www.augs.org
European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis
http://www.essic.eu
REFERENCES:
Abrams, P., L. Cardozo, M. Fall, et al. "The standardisation of terminology of lower urinary tract function: report from the Standardisation Sub-committee of the International Continence Society."
Neurourol Urodyn 21 (2002): 167.
NIH Publication No. 05-3220 June 2005
van de Merwe, J.P., J. Nordling, P. Bouchelouche, et al. "Diagnostic criteria, classification, and nomenclature for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: an ESSIC proposal." Eur Urol 53 (2008): 60.
Last Editorial Review: 11/30/2009
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