Interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome is a disease of the bladder. The patient feels extreme pain in the bladder area. Sometimes this pain comes with some other symptoms including symptoms of the lower urinary tract. These symptoms may range from mild to severe. IC/BPS feels more like a bladder infection. Women suffering from IC/BPS feel pain during sex. This condition can also affect your personal life. People suffering from IC/BPS may also go through some other health issues like irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia etc.
If you are also facing IC/BPS, consult the best urologist in Lahore. He will guide you with the best possible treatment.
Symptoms of IC/BPS
As we know IC/BPS is a chronic bladder pain with different symptoms including irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms can disturb daily life. Some common symptoms include:
Pain
The pain of IC/BPS is not constant. It may come and go. Some patients feel pain in the bladder and some in other parts like the urethra, lower back, etc. Women suffering from this may feel pain in the vulva or vagina. Men with this syndrome may feel pain in the penis or rectal area.
Frequency
The frequency of urine increases as compared to an average person. As we know a normal person passes urine seven times a day and does not feel much need to get up more than once at night.
Urgency
The urgency to pass urine even after urination is one of the symptoms of IC/BPS. This problem develops gradually.
Causes of IC/BPS
The exact causes are unknown however some causes may include:
- Defect in tissues of the bladder. This defect can also cause ulcers.
- An inflammatory cell known as a mast cell if detected in the bladder can cause allergic reactions that may cause IC/BPS.
- Sometimes the bladder is attacked by the body’s immune system also known as autoimmune conditions.
Diagnosis
There are no specific medical tests to diagnose IC/BPS. But your symptoms can help you diagnose this condition. Women are more affected by this situation as compared to men. The risk of IC/BPS increases with age. This syndrome is often not diagnosed correctly in men.
The following are some ways to diagnose IC/BPS :
Medical History
During the examination, your doctor may ask a variety of questions which include:
- Your symptoms and their duration.
- Effect of symptoms on your life.
- History of your medical problems.
- The drugs used by you.
- Your eating habits including the food and liquids you drink.
Baseline Pain and Voiding Tests
As we know pain is one of the major symptoms of IC/BPS. Your doctor may ask some questions to recognize your baseline pain value. The main purpose of this examination is to find the location and intensity of the pain. It will help to find the things that make your pain worse. The doctor may also ask to pass urine for diagnostic purposes.
Some other tests include:
- Urine test
- Urodynamic test
- Cystoscopy
Treatment
Treatment for IC/BPS is chosen based on symptoms. A single treatment does not apply to all patients. The major goal is to control the symptoms. However, changes in your lifestyle and some medications can help to get through this situation. The situation may take weeks to months to get better. It is very important to talk to your doctor and tell them whether the treatment is working properly or not.
Following are some possible treatments:
Changes in Lifestyle
Lifestyle changes are also known as “behavioral therapy”. In this therapy, you change your daily routine. It may include everything from the food you eat to the liquids you drink. Lifestyle changes can help you feel better after improving your symptoms.
Limitations in Diet
People with IC/BPS need to limit certain foods to prevent their symptoms from getting worse. These include
- Citrus fruits
- Coffee
- Tomatoes
- Carbonated drinks etc.
Taking Care and Reducing Stress
If you take too much, it can worsen your symptoms. People suffering from this syndrome need to learn techniques to cope with stress. You can also consult a psychologist.
Physical Therapy
Some physical activities can also help to reduce the symptoms of IC/BPS. These exercises can also help to make your pelvic floor muscles more strong.
Medications
Two types of medicines may be prescribed by your doctor. Some are oral and some are intravesical drugs. A large number of oral drugs are available with mild side effects. They may cause drowsiness and upset stomach. On the other hand, a catheter is used to place intravesical drugs into the bladder. Some oral medicines include NSAIDS and Acetaminophen, Cimetidine, etc.
The Bottom Line
After going through some information, we came to know that IC/BPS can be treated. Its symptoms go slowly and can even totally disappear because of treatment. The cause of the pain is still unknown. If you also want your IC/BPS syndrome to be treated, consult the best urologist as soon as possible.