Interstitial cystitis refers to a chronic condition that causes pain and pressure in the area of the bladder. It can also cause pelvic pain in some conditions. The pain starts from mild discomfort and can be reached to the level of severity.
The condition is included in the category of the spectrum of diseases that is called painful bladder syndrome. The human bladder is a muscular and hollow organ that works to store urine. The bladder easily expands and sends signals to your brain when it’s full.
The signals send messages to the brain that now it’s urinating time. Your bladder communicates with the help of pelvic nerves. People experience urges to urinate at a specific time. Interstitial cystitis causes these signals to be mixed up.
You feel the urge to urinate more than normal people even with smaller urine volumes. Most often, this disease affects women. It has a long-lasting impact on people’s quality of life. Some therapies and medications provide you relief from this condition as it has no permanent cure.
Symptoms
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis in people can vary. Your symptoms may vary with the duration of time if you have interstitial cystitis. Symptoms flare periodically when patients face common triggers like stress, menstruation, exercise, long time sitting, and sexual activities.
The symptoms of interstitial cystitis are given below.
- Severe pelvic pain
- Pain between anus and scrotum area of males
- Pain between the anus and vagina or in the pelvic area in females
- A continuous urgent need for urinating
- Pain during sexual activity
- Discomfort and pain on the filling of the bladder
- Instant relief after urinating
- Frequent urination on small amounts for whole day and night
People with interstitial cystitis urinate more than 60 times in one day. The severity of symptoms is different for people. Some females may experience periods that are symptom-free. Signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis may feel similar to chronic urinary tract infection sometimes.
But usually, no infection appears in this condition. If a person who is suffering from interstitial cystitis develops a urinary tract infection, then his/her symptoms may worsen.
When Should You Visit Health Professionals?
Contact a health professional if you are experiencing urinary urgency and chronic bladder pain.
Causes Of Interstitial Cystitis
Researchers have not yet confirmed the exact cause of interstitial cystitis. But there are different factors that contribute to this condition. People who have interstitial cystitis have a defect in the area of protective lining present in the bladder.
Any leak in your epithelium may permit toxic substances that irritate the wall of your bladder. Other unproven possible contributors are heredity, allergy, infection, and autoimmune reaction.
Risk Factors
The following factors are linked with developing a high risk of interstitial cystitis.
- Sexual Intercourse
Women are diagnosed with this disease more than men. Symptoms in males may mimic this disease sometimes. But these symptoms are usually linked with prostate gland inflammation.
- Your Hair And Skin Color
Having the red color of hair and fair skin has been linked with a high risk of interstitial cystitis.
- Age Factor
Most people are diagnosed with this disease at the age of 30 years and above.
- Chronic Pain Disorder
Interstitial may be linked with some other chronic pain disorders like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome.
Lifestyle And The Best Home Remedies
Some people with this disease find relief from symptoms by adopting the following strategies.
Dietary Changes
Eliminate or decrease the amount of food that can cause bladder irritation. It helps you to get relief from the interstitial discomfort. Common irritants for the bladder are caffeine, carbonated beverages, food with greater vitamin C concentrations, and citrus products.
Try to avoid similar foods like pickled foods, tomatoes, spices, and alcohol. If you think that specific foods cause irritation in your bladder then try to eliminate those foods from your diet. Artificial sweeteners may also irritate your bladder.
Bladder Training
Bladder training involves going to the toilet on time as compared to waiting for the urge to go. You start to go for urinating at set intervals like after every half-hour. During this bladder training, you learn to manage urinary urges with the help of relaxation techniques.
Wear Loose Clothes
Avoid clothes or belts that exert pressure on the area of your abdomen.
Reduce Stress
Try biofeedback and visualization.
Stop Smoking
Decrease or stop smoking because it worsens the painful conditions.
Exercise
Exercise of eye stretching will help you to reduce the symptoms of interstitial cystitis.
