Interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) 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. Symptoms of interstitial cystitis may vary among individuals and may even vary with time in the same individual. Read more: Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS) Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Pelvic Pain: What's Causing Your Pelvic Pain?
There are many causes of pelvic pain and pain in the lower abdomen in women. Pelvic pain near the female lower abdomen has...
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Bladder Cancer Symptoms, Stages, Treatments
Bladder cancer occurs when cancerous cells, often from the lining of the bladder, begin to multiply. Find more information about...
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Urinary Incontinence in Women: Types, Causes, and Treatments for Bladder Control
Urinary incontinence in women is a common problem. Overactive bladder (OAB), stress incontinence, and urge incontinence can be...
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Bladder Infections: UTI Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's) can happen to anyone. Learn about symptoms, causes and home remedy treatments for bladder and...
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Why Do I Pee So Often? Incontinence & Overactive Bladder
You went to the bathroom to pee just a few minutes ago. Now you need to go again. What's going on? Here are some possible reasons.
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Urinary Incontinence: Foods and Drinks That Cause Overactive Bladder
What causes overactive bladder (OAB)? A natural remedy is to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and these foods. Learn the foods and...
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Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS) See a medical illustration of the bladder plus our entire medical gallery of human anatomy and physiology See ImagesRelated Disease Conditions
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Cramps but No Period
Having cramps but no period can occur because of conditions other than your monthly menstrual cycle. They may feel like period cramps of the lower abdomen when you are not due for your period and produce no blood. These 12 diseases and conditions are examples of what can cause abdominal cramping when not on period.
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Why Am I Having Menstrual Cramps but No Period?
Menstrual cramps may happen even without a period. Learn more about menstrual cramps without a period, when they can happen, what causes them, and what to watch out for. Menstrual cramps are a type of abdominal pain women get when they have their period. Menstrual cramps may occur after running due to dehydration, gastrointestinal problems, hypothyroidism and pregnancy.
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Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that lives in the bowel and near the anus, causes most UTIs. UTI symptoms include pain, abdominal pain, mild fever, urinary urgency, and frequency. Treatment involves a course of antibiotics.
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What Causes Pain on the Left Side Above the Hip?
There are various reasons you may be having pain on your left side above the hip. Learn more about the possible causes of your condition. What to know about hip tendonitis: Learn how to recognize what tendonitis feels like in the hip.
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Bladder Infection (Cystitis)
Bladder infection is an infection of the bladder, usually caused by bacteria or, rarely, by Candida. Certain people, including females, the elderly, men with enlarged prostates, and those with chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for bladder infection. Bladder infections are treated with antibiotics, but cranberry products and adequate hydration may help prevent bladder infections.
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How Long Does It Take a UTI to Turn Into a Kidney Infection?
Failing to treat a urinary tract infection can lead to serious health problems, including kidney infections. If you have lingering symptoms, or recurrent UTIs, it is important to see your medical provider.
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Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary fibrosis is scarring throughout the lungs. Pulmonary fibrosis can be caused by many conditions including chronic inflammatory processes, infections, environmental agents, exposure to ionizing radiation, chronic conditions, and certain medications. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, and diminished exercise tolerance. Treatment options are dependent on the type of pulmonary fibrosis; lung transplant and/or medications are options.
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Women's Health
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
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Narcolepsy
Causes of narcolepsy, a chronic disease of the central nervous system, have not been fully determined. Some theories include abnormalities in hypocretin neurons in the brain or an autoimmune disorder. Symptoms of narcolepsy include excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep paralysis, cataplexy, hypnagogic hallucinations, disturbed nocturnal sleep, and automatic behavior. Diagnosis of narcolepsy is based on a clinical evaluation, specific questionnaires, sleep logs or diaries, and the results of sleep laboratory tests. Treatments of narcolepsy symptoms include medication and lifestyle changes.
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Bladder Cancer
Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the grade of the tumor, and the type of bladder cancer. Options for treatment include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy.
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Pelvic Pain (in Women and Men)
Pelvic pain is described as pain, usually in the lower pelvic area. Causes of acute and chronic pelvic pain in women include endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, menstrual cramps, ovarian cysts, tumors, or fibroids, ovulation, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or congestion syndrome, vulva pain, and rarely cancer. Pelvic pain during pregnancy may be caused by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy), preterm or premature labor, and placental abruption. Causes of pelvic pain in men include prostate problems, testicular pain, and groin pain. Causes of pelvic pain in men and women include kidney stones, appendicitis, UTIs, IBD, and STDs. Signs and symptoms associated with pelvic pain depend on the cause, but man include pain during or after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, distension, and tenderness, diarrhea, constipation, vaginal discharge or bleeding, blood, pus, in the urine, cloudy urine, blood in the stool, stool color changes, and low back pain. The cause of pelvic pain is diagnosed by a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging procedures. Treatment for pelvic pain depends on the cause.
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Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Overactive bladder is a sudden involuntary contraction of the muscle wall of the bladder causing urinary urgency (an immediate unstoppable need to urinate). Overactive bladder is is a form of urinary incontinence. Treatment options may include Kegel exercises, biofeedback, vaginal weight training, pelvic floor electrical stimulation, behavioral therapy, and medications.
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Urinary Tract Infections in Children
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in children. Symptoms and signs include fever and abdominal pain. Associated symptoms and signs include flank pain, vomiting, and blood in the urine. Treatment for a UTI involves antibiotic therapy.
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What Is the Difference Between Cystitis and UTI?
Learn the difference between cystitis and UTI and how to treat each condition.
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Bladder Spasms
People who have bladder spasms, the sensation occurs suddenly and often severely. A spasm itself is the sudden, involuntary squeezing of a muscle. A bladder spasm, or "detrusor contraction," occurs when the bladder muscle squeezes suddenly without warning, causing an urgent need to release urine. The spasm can force urine from the bladder, causing leakage. When this happens, the condition is called urge incontinence or overactive bladder.
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Sex, Urinary, and Bladder Problems of Diabetes
Having diabetes can mean early onset and increased severity of bladder symptoms (urinary incontinence and urinary tract infections) and changes in sexual function. Men may have erectile dysfunction; and women may have problems with sexual response and vaginal lubrication. Keep your diabetes under control, and you can lower your risk of sexual and urologic problems.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Penile Pain
- Cloudy Urine
- Burning Urination (Dysuria)
- Frequent Urination
- Bladder Infection
- Urinary Urgency
- Painful Intercourse
- Bladder Spasms
- Urinary Retention
- Overactive Bladder (OAB)
- Bladder Cancer
- Interstitial Cystitis
- How to Choose a Doctor
- Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
- Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor's Appointment
- Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Medications & Supplements
- pentosan polysulfate sodium - oral, Elmiron
- ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
- Cipro vs. Levaquin
- Nitrofurantoin vs. Ciprofloxacin
- phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
- gabapentin (Neurontin)
- amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep)
- cimetidine, Tagamet HB
- nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat, Afeditab)
- Side Effects of Myrbetriq (mirabegron)
- quercetin
- hydrocortisone injection (Solu-Cortef, A-Hydrocort)
- pentosan (Elmiron)
- Gemtesa (vibegron)
- Cystografin (diatrizoate meglumine)
- cranberry
- Phenazopyridine
- Toviaz (fesoterodine fumarate)
- Rimso-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide)
- Cysview (hexaminolevulinate hydrochloride)
- Valstar (valrubicin)
Prevention & Wellness
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