Interstitial Cystitis (cont.)
Are there any special concerns about interstitial cystitis?
Cancer
There is no evidence that interstitial cystitis increases the risk of bladder cancer; however,
the long-term effects of interstitial cystitis have not been well-studied and require further
observation and research.
Pregnancy
Researchers have little information about the
relationship between pregnancy
and interstitial cystitis but believe that interstitial cystitis does not affect fertility or the health
of the fetus.
Some women have a remission from interstitial cystitis 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 interstitial cystitis
The emotional support of family, friends, and other individuals with
interstitial cystitis is
very important in helping patients cope with interstitial cystitis. Studies have found that
patients with interstitial cystitis who are educated about interstitial cystitis 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?
Interstitial cystitis 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 re-appear 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
interstitial cystitis, 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.
- Interstitial cystitis (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 interstitial cystitis are pelvic pain
as well as urinary frequency and urgency.
- Interstitial cystitis 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(s) of
interstitial cystitis 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 interstitial cystitis.
- The diagnosis of interstitial cystitis is based on
the symptoms, an abnormal potassium sensitivity test (PST), findings on
cystoscopy with distention and biopsy, and
elimination of other conditions that may be responsible for the symptoms.
- Treatment for interstitial cystitis 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 interstitial cystitis.
Additional sources of information about interstitial cystitis:
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: 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: www.augs.org
Reference: NIH Publication No. 05-3220 June 2005
Last Editorial Review: 2/10/2006
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