CONDITION: Interstitial Cystitis

DESCRIPTION:
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder that causes frequent, urgent and painful urination and pelvic discomfort. The lining of the bladder breaks down with interstitial cystitis, allowing toxins to irritate the bladder wall. As a result, the bladder becomes inflamed and tender and does not store urine well. Since the condition is not associated with a bacterial infection as is the case with urinary tract infections, it does not respond to antibiotics. IC is 10 times more common among women than among men.

How does interstitial cystitis develop?
Interstitial cystitis is a poorly understood disease with unidentified causes. In fact, several years often pass between the time the first symptoms occur and the diagnosis of IC, which clearly demonstrates both the difficulty of diagnosis and how infrequently this condition is suspected. It is possible that several factors are involved in the development of IC. Although some of the symptoms of IC resemble those of a bacterial infection, no bacteria or viruses have been found in the urine of afflicted patients. Nevertheless, some researchers believe an unidentified infectious agent may be the cause. Others believe interstitial cystitis may be an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, perhaps following a bladder infection. Spasms of the pelvic floor muscles may also contribute to symptoms.

Natural medicine practitioners, on the other hand, have found that IC is often related to diet, an excessive use of antibiotics or other medications, or an untreated yeast infection, problems that can usually be resolved.

What are the symptoms of interstitial cystitis?
Patients with interstitial cystitis may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate, a frequent need to urinate or a combination of the two. The intensity of the pain may vary as the bladder fills with urine or as it is emptied. Women's symptoms often get worse during menstruation.

Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis, but they do not address the root of the problem. By assessing the root of the problem, as natural medicine therapies do, interstitial cystitis can be alleviated permanently.

Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to treat interstitial cystitis.

Learn about the treatments for Interstitial Cystitis