Interstitial Cystitis Infection

Usually, a single course of treatment clears up the problem, but if symptoms persist after trying an over-the-counter remedy to treat the cystitis infection, then you should consult your doctor.

What Is Interstitial Cystitis?

The chronic condition of Interstitial Cystitis(IC) or interstitial cystitis infection,, sometimes called painful bladder syndrome or, is often mistaken for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Characterized by different types of discomfort, sometimes in the bladder or pelvis ranging from a mild burning sensation to rather severe pain and affects approximately one million people in the United States alone.

Although most people diagnosed with IC are women. An interstitial cystitis infection, can also affect both men and children, and in any case, it has the potential to alter one's quality of life, making it important to thoroughly explore all available treatment options.  

What Are The Symptoms?

The symptoms and signs of an interstitial cystitis infection may vary widely from one person to the next, and they may even change over time with great variations in intensity. Some people may also experience flare-ups caused by triggers that could include things like stress, menstruation, sexual activity, and seasonal allergies.

The most common symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis

1. Chronic pain in the pelvic region, usually suprapubic, which, in women, is the area between the vagina and anus, and in men it is perineal, or between the scrotum and anus.

2. Frequently urinating throughout both the night and day, but often only in small amounts. It is not unusual for someone with IC to urinate as many as 50 or 60 times each day.

3. Pain in the pelvis during sexual intercourse, or painful ejaculation.

For some people, symptoms are limited to urinary problems and they experience no pain at all, while for others, both persistent pain and frequent urination are a part of coping with interstitial cystitis.

If you are suffering from a urinary tract infection or cystitis and are experiencing pain and discomfort, you have definitely come to the right place. This special UTI report will show you the latest findings Click Here to continue reading........

How does a doctor diagnose cystitis?

The diagnosis of cystitis is primarily based on symptoms and signs. Visual appearance of the urine is not helpful. The most important examination of urine is done by chemical testing (dipstick test), which is very quick, and by urine culture where the specimen is sent to a hospital laboratory to grow and examine the bacteria. The specimen must be fresh. It is also important that the woman has separated her labia (lips) during urination, to avoid bacteria from the skin and vagina contaminating the specimen.

If there is inflammation, the doctor will identify bacteria and red and white blood cells in the urine using the dipstick test. If this is positive, your doctor can prescribe antibiotics immediately while waiting for further confirmation from the urine culture. This will also indicate whether the antibiotic is sensitive to the bacteria or whether there is any resistant bacteria which is not going to respond to the antibiotic.

In the case of repeated, inexplicable, infections of the urinary system, a referral should be made to a hospital for tests such as ultrasound scanning or X-rays of the urinary system and cystoscopy (telescopic examination of the bladder). Source:www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/cystitis.html

What Is The Treatment?

While there is not yet any one single treatment for a cystitis infection, or remedy for interstitial cystitis that completely eradicates the condition, or one that works for every person, there are, fortunately, several different types of therapies and medications to help bring about relief.

There are a number of products available from your pharmacist to treat cystitis. These can be used unless a woman is vomiting or if there is blood in the urine or if a woman is pregnant in which case she should consult her doctor.

Usually, a single course of treatment clears up the problem, but if symptoms persist after trying an over-the-counter remedy to treat the cystitis infection, then you should consult your doctor.

How Do I Treat An Interstitial Cystitis Infection

There are a few kinds of oral medications known to help improve the symptoms an interstitial cystitis infection, and include ibuprofen such as Advil or Motrin, antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or loratadine (Claritin), and tricyclic antidepressants including amitriptyline and imipramine.

Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) may help to minimize pain, and antihistamines are used to reduce the frequent need to urinate while the tricyclic antidepressants work to block pain and also relax the bladder. Also, a relatively new medication, pentosan (Elmiron), has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating the interstitial cystitis infection, although the actual reason the drug is effective is still mostly unknown.

It is thought that pentosan may help to restore the inner lining of the bladder, protecting it from those substances within the urine that cause irritation. It may also take anywhere from two to four months for pentosan to begin having a positive effect in terms of pain reduction and as many as six months before frequent urination is noticeably decreased.