An examination of the cells from the bladder lining that are in the urine. To check for prostatitis in men, prostatic fluid can be examined for signs of infection. Cystoscopy with hydrodistention. This is the main diagnostic tool for interstitial cystitis. Since this procedure can be painful for someone with interstitial cystitis, it is usually performed while the patient is under general anesthesia.
The causes of interstitial cystitis are still unknown. Researchers are currently looking into many theories of what causes IC. The results of that research could lead to potential treatments. IC is not caused by stress, though stress reduction can be helpful and possibly reduce symptoms. IC is also not a psychosomatic disorder. While harmful bacteria can cause common cystitis, neither bacteria nor viruses seem to cause IC. Because the cause of IC is still uncertain, no definite preventative measures exist.
We do know that smoking irritates the bladder and is the number one cause of bladder cancer, so quitting may be the best preventative measure you can take against IC.
Interstitial cystitis is difficult to treat. There is not yet a cure for IC, but there are a variety of treatments that relieve its symptoms. Treatments range from changes in diet, to medications, to surgery. The IC diagnosis process requires healthcare providers to rule out other conditions prior to making the clinical judgment that you have IC. Common conditions that must be first ruled out include urinary tract infections and chronic prostatitis. In addition, the lack of a diagnostic test for IC may lead to a misdiagnosis such as:.
IC is often mistaken for a urinary tract infection UTI or bladder infection, which it is not. Also, IC patients do get full-blown UTIs—and antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat these urinary infections.
Gotta go? Similar to IC, overactive bladder is a condition that results in the sudden need to urinate urgency. OAB is caused by a sudden involuntary contraction of the detrusor, a muscle in your bladder wall which is controlled by the nervous system. They help keep the urethra closed so urine doesn't leak before you're ready to go to the bathroom.
These sphincters relax when the bladder contracts. Some patients feel pain in other areas in addition to the bladder, such as the urethra, lower abdomen, lower back, or the pelvic or perineal area in women, behind the vagina and in men, behind the scrotum. Women may feel pain in the vulva or the vagina, and men may feel the pain in the scrotum, testicle, or penis.
The pain may be constant or may come and go. Frequency is the need to pass urine more often than normal. The average person urinates no more than 7 times a day. He or she does not have to get up at night more than once to use the bathroom.
As frequency becomes more severe, it leads to urgency. Some patients feel an urge that never goes away, even right after voiding. A patient may not notice or see this as a problem. In other cases, the onset is much more dramatic, with severe symptoms occurring within days, weeks or months. For some, their symptoms are made worse by certain foods or drinks. Many patients find that symptoms are worse if they are under stress either physical or mental. For women, the symptoms may vary with their period.
Women may have pain during sex because the bladder is right in front of the vagina. Men may have painful orgasm or pain the next day. It is unusual to experience leaking of urine with this disorder, and urinary leaking might be a sign of another problem. However, it is well-known that if a person has IC, physical or mental stress can make the symptoms worse.
It can also rob you of a good night's sleep. Too little sleep will leave you tired and unhappy. No specific behaviors such as smoking are known to increase your risk of IC. Next, they need to rule out other health issues that might be causing the symptoms. Your health care provider will examine you to look for the cause of your symptoms. In women, the physical exam will likely include your abdomen, the organs in your pelvis, and your rectum. In men, a physical exam will include your abdomen, prostate, and rectum.
Your health care provider may also do a neurological exam to rule out any other problems. The goal of the evaluation is to find pain location s , intensity, and characteristics, and to identify factors that make pain or discomfort better or worse.
Your health care provider will also ask how often you void.. These include:. Urodynamic evaluation: This involves filling the bladder with water through a small catheter tube to drain fluid from the body. This measures bladder pressures as the bladder fills and empties.
Cystoscopy: Using a special tool, your doctor looks inside the bladder. This test can rule out other problems such as cancer. Cystoscopy can also be performed in the operating room. If bladder stones, tumors or ulcers are seen during cystoscopy, the doctor can take care of them at the same time as the bladder biopsy, which is used to rule out other bladder diseases. Treatment must be chosen for each patient based on symptoms.
Patients usually try different treatments or combinations of treatments until good symptom relief occurs. It usually takes weeks to months before symptoms improve. Even with successful treatment, the condition may not be cured. It is simply in remission.
But, most patients can get significant relief of their symptoms and lead a normal life with treatment. Most treatments are aimed at symptom control. It is important to talk to your health care provider about how your treatments are working so that together you can find the best treatment option for you.
In behavioral therapy, you make some changes in the way you live day-to-day. This may include changing your diet, or practicing methods that may help control your symptoms.
Most patients don't get rid of all their symptoms with lifestyle changes.
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