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Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms

              “Do you visit the bathroom more frequently?” If your answer is yes, you may be suffering from Interstitial Cystitis. The symptoms of IC may begin for no apparent reason, sometimes following surgery, particularly in women after childbirth or following a severe bacterial infection of the bladder.

               In the very early stages of the disease or in a mild form, the symptoms may only occur in attacks known as ‘flares’. This may lead to the assumption that it may be an infection. But hold on, spontaneous flares and remission are a characteristic feature of IC in many patients suffering from this disease.

               IC can be characterized by DPT (not diphtheria, pertusis, tetanus vaccine), discomfort, pain and tenderness in the bladder and surrounding pelvic area. Other symptoms which help in retrospective diagnosis of IC include,

  • Urgency to urinate
  • Frequent urination
  • Scarred or Stiff bladder
  • Glomerulations
  • Ulcers

The symptoms in women exacerbate just before or during menstruation, during ovulation or if they are taking contraceptive pills. It should be emphasized, however, that many patients never progress further than a relatively mild form of IC.

The symptoms of IC and OAB( overactive bladder syndrome) are analogous, but the major distinction between them will be discussed in our next issue.

References
  1. Panzera AK. Interstitial cystitis/Painful bladder syndrome. Urol Nurs. 2007;27(1):13-19.
  2. Carr LK, Corocs J, Njckel C, Teichman J. Diagnosis of Intersitial cystitis June 2007. Can Urol Assoc J. 2009;3(1):81-86.
  3. Van de Merve JP, Nordling J, Bouchelouche P, et al. Diagnostic criteria, classification, and nomenclaturefor painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: An ESSIC proposal. European Urology. 2008;53(1):60-67.
  4. Hanno PM. Interstitial cystitis - Epidemiology, Diagnostic criteria, Clinical Markers. Rev Urol. 2002;4(1):S3-S8.
  5. Heck BN. Interstitial cystitis:Enhancing early identification in primary care settings. JNP. 2007;3(8):509-519.
  6. Mattox TF. Interstitial cystitis in adolscents and children:a review. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2004;17:7-11.
  7. Teichman JMH, Parsons CL. Contemporary clincal presentation of interstitial cystitis. Urology. 2007;69(4A):41-47.
  8. Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. Screening, treatment, and management of IC/PBS. www arhp org. Accessed March 9, 2009.
  9. Evans RJ. Pathophysiology and clinical presentation of interstitial cystitis. Avd Stud Pharm. 2005;8-14.
  10. National Kidney and Urologic diseases Information Clearinghouse(NKUDIC). Interstitial cystitis/ painful bladder syndrome. www kidney niddk nih gov. Accessed March 9, 2009.