Painful Bladder Syndrome or Interstitial Cystitis (IC), as it is officially known, is quite challenging to identify. There is no cure for it, but therapies can make life better. Along with frequent and urgent urination, the disease also causes persistent discomfort or pain in your abdominal region. The symptoms of IC present several difficulties. Your social life, physical activity, sleep, and even work performance can get impacted by this illness. Despite this, you may still empower yourself with knowledge and remedies to control symptoms.
Understanding Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
Interstitial Cystitis is a persistent bladder issue. Your bladder stores urine after your kidney has performed filtration but before you urinate. This condition makes you feel trapped and in discomfort. In extreme cases, you might urinate over 40-60 times a day. Even your sleep may be interrupted by it. Healthcare professionals are unsure of the precise reason, although autoimmune illnesses, allergies, and problems with your bladder’s lining may all be contributing factors. chronic bladder infection symptoms may come and go, and they could also be constant.
Causes
90% of those who have IC are female. Approximately 3% to 6% of women experience IC in some form. People often have their initial issues in their 40s. With age, the risk of developing it rises.
Although the cause is unclear, there are some leading theories:
- Weakness in the bladder’s tissue might allow irritants in urine to enter the bladder
- Urine contains a substance that harms the bladder
- Histamine and other substances get released by the Mast cell, which is a kind of inflammatory cell. It causes IC/BPS symptoms
- Your bladder feels pain from situations that don’t typically hurt because of a nerve issue
- Akin to other autoimmune diseases, the body’s immune system targets the bladder in this illness
Symptoms
IC symptoms and indicators differ from one individual to another. It may even change over time and recur in response to typical triggers like menstruation, prolonged sitting, exercise, stress, and sexual activity.
Signs and symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis include:
- A constant and pressing need to pee
- Persistent pelvic discomfort
- Pain in between the scrotum and the perineum for men
- Pain in between the vagina and anus or in the pelvis for women
- Frequently urinating (more than 60 times a day)
- As the bladder fills, experience discomfort or pain and relief after peeing
- Discomfort or pain while in sexual activity
Treatment
No single treatment is effective for everyone with IC/BPS, so each patient’s therapy is chosen based on their symptoms. If there is significant symptom improvement, patients often attempt various therapies. It’s crucial to understand that no treatment for IC/BPS is immediately effective. Typically, it takes weeks or months for symptoms to subside. The issue may not get cured even with effective therapy. However, most people can have considerable symptom alleviation and lead daily lives.
Bottom Line
You should know by now that painful bladder syndrome is a common affliction that affects several people. It affects how frequently and urgently you need to use the toilet. Call your doctor if you experience persistent bladder discomfort, frequent urination, or urine urgency and suspect you might suffer from pelvic inflammatory disease. Your doctor can prescribe exams to rule out additional problems and collaborate with you to create the best treatment strategy.