What is Interstitial cystitis?

Question

How is this condition treated and can it ever be cured?

Answer 1

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder. Its cause is unknown. "Common" cystitis, also known as a urinary tract infection, is caused by bacteria and is usually successfully treated with antibiotics. Unlike common cystitis, IC is believed not to be caused by bacteria and does not respond to conventional antibiotic therapy. It is important to note that IC is not a psychosomatic disorder nor is it caused by stress.

Answer 2

What is IC / PBS? Diagnosis-Treatment-Cures-Support Groups can all be found at the site referenced below. There are many links to everything you could ever want to know about interstitial cystitis. Good Luck, my friend!

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms vary from case to case and even in the same individual. People may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate (urgency), a frequent need to urinate (frequency), or a combination of these symptoms. Pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills with urine or as it empties. Women's symptoms often get worse during menstruation. They may sometimes experience pain with vaginal intercourse.

Because IC varies so much in symptoms and severity, most researchers believe that it is not one, but several diseases. In recent years, scientists have started to use the term painful bladder syndrome (PBS) to describe cases with painful urinary symptoms that may not meet the strictest definition of IC. The term IC / PBS includes all cases of urinary pain that can't be attributed to other causes, such as infection or urinary stones. The term interstitial cystitis, or IC, is used alone when describing cases that meet all of the IC criteria established by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

In IC / PBS, the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or stiff. Glomerulations (pinpoint bleeding caused by recurrent irritation) often appear on the bladder wall. Hunner's ulcers are present in 10 percent of patients with IC. Some people with IC / PBS find that their bladders cannot hold much urine, which increases the frequency of urination. Frequency, however, is not always specifically related to bladder size; many people with severe frequency have normal bladder capacity. People with severe cases of IC / PBS may urinate as many as 60 times a day, including frequent nighttime urination (nocturia).

IC / PBS is far more common in women than in men. Of the estimated 1 million Americans with IC, up to 90 percent are women.

http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/#1

There is a ton of information at the website above for your convenience. I hope this helps.
Regards,
Raylene♥

Answer 3

the cause is not known. the inflammation is associated with a disaragment with the bladder mucosa that make is it more supceptible to penetration by bacteria.