What Are The Symptoms Of An Irritated Bladder

Treatments For Interstitial Cystitis

Unfortunately, theres currently no cure for interstitial cystitis and it can be difficult to treat, although a number of treatments can be tried.

But no single treatment works for everyone, and theres disagreement about how effective some of them are.

You may need to try several treatments to find one that works for you.

Medicines and other therapies may be used if lifestyle changes not help, and surgery may be necessary as a last resort.

What Are The Symptoms Of Ic

People with interstitial cystitis have repeat discomfort, pressure, tenderness or pain in the bladder, lower abdomen, and pelvic area. Symptoms vary from person to person, may be mild or severe, and can even change in each person as time goes on.

Symptoms may include a combination of these symptoms:

Possible Symptoms Of Interstitial Cystitis

Although symptoms vary significantly among patients, people with interstitial cystitis may have some of the following common symptoms :

• An urgent need to urinate
• Pressure, pain, and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis, and perineum
• A bladder that won’t hold as much urine as it did before
• Chronic pelvic pain
• In many women, the symptoms get worse before their menstrual period.

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Diagnosis: How Is Interstitial Cystitis Diagnosed

It can be difficult to detect interstitial cystitis because signs resemble those of many other disorders . Your doctor should consider all the following factors.

• Patients history: The first step in the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis should be taking a medical history and asking the patient to describe their symptoms and how long they have had them.
• Urinalysis and Urine Culture: Examining urine under a microscope and culturing the urine can detect and identify the primary organisms known to infect the urinary tract. White and red blood cells and bacteria in the urine may indicate an infection of the urinary tract, which can be treated with an antibiotic.
• Cystoscopy: This test, sometimes used to rule out other causes of bladder pain, involves an examination of the bladder through a thin tube with a tiny camera a cystoscope. This procedure is generally performed with general or regional anesthetics to reduce discomfort. During cystoscopy under anesthesia, a sample of your tissue may be removed from the bladder and the urethra for examination under a microscope to check for bladder cancer and other rare causes of bladder pain.
• Biopsy: A tissue sample is taken for examination under a microscope.

Sexual Differences In Incidence

In the NOBLE study, the prevalence of OAB was similar in women and men . However, the prevalence of incontinence associated with OAB differed. Among women, 9.3% reported having OAB with incontinence 7.6% reported having OAB without incontinence. In contrast, more men reported having OAB without incontinence than with incontinence . In women, the prevalence of OAB with urgency urinary incontinence increased with increasing body mass index , whereas in men, no difference was found.

Milsom et al, in a population-based survey of 16,776 men and women aged 40 years or older from the general population in Europe, found the overall prevalence of OAB symptoms to be 16.6%. The main outcome measures included the prevalence of urinary frequency , urinary urgency, and urgency incontinence.

Frequency was the most common symptom , followed by urgency and urgency incontinence . The prevalence of OAB increased with age, and rates in men and women were similar. Symptoms of urinary urgency and frequency were similar between both sexes, but urgency incontinence was more prevalent in women than in men.

OAB in men is often related to obstruction therefore, it may be important to differentiate between obstruction and irritative symptoms before the initiation of treatment.

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Improve Sexual Hygiene Practices

Sexual activity can be one of several ways bacteria enter your urethra and reach the bladder. You can improve the health of the urethra and bladder or reduce irritation symptoms by practicing good sexual hygiene.

That means you need to urinate before and after sexual intercourse. Use a condom during sex and wash your genitals before and after sexual activity.

Further Help For Bladder Pain

If you are concerned about your problem and it is starting to affect your day-to-day life make an appointment to see your doctor as you may need to be referred to a specialist.

If you are experiencing bladder pain you can contact a continence nurse or specialist physiotherapist, who are healthcare professionals who specialise in bladder and bowel problems.

Information on this page has been updated with the help of www.painful-bladder.org. If youd like to read their information sheet on painful bladder / interstitial cystitis please click here.

You can also find information about painful bladder / interstitial cystitis on the Bladder Health UK website bladderhealthuk.org, Email , Telephone 0121 702 0820

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Inflammation Of The Bladder: Why Does It Happen

The onset of painful bladder syndrome or interstitial cystitis typically takes place in your 40s, although not exclusively. Symptoms usually start with a more frequent need to urinate, starting slowly and worsening over time. However, the symptoms and severity vary from person to person, and even among individual cases.

Sometimes symptoms are light and few in numbers, while other times they can be intense and copious. Because there is so much variance in symptoms, doctors believe the condition consists of a number of potential disorders.

Although it might feel like a urinary tract infection , itâs different because it isnât caused by an external infection. Instead, PBS/IC is likely caused by a compromise in the lining of the bladder. Itâs believed that the protective layer that coats the bladder , shielding it from the toxic effects of urine, becomes leaky and is therefore exposed to these toxins. It allows the chemicals in your urine to pass through, thus resulting in the pain and pressure so many with PBS/IC experience.

Another hypothesis is that some people have fewer protective bacteria along their bladder walls, thus leading to inadequate protection from the toxins and chemicals in urine. If this is the case, itâs possible that high levels of potassium in the urine penetrate the walls and lead to inflammation and damage in the surrounding muscle layers.

Foods That Irritate The Bladder And Urethra

Irritation of the bladder and urethra isnt an uncommon problem.

It affects men and women, although females are more likely to develop these problems due to shorter urethra.

The first and most important factor in the management of irritated bladder and urethra is diet modification.

Avoiding foods that irritate the bladder and urethra can make a huge difference in the severity of symptoms you experience.

Below, youll learn more about foods to eat and avoid.

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Can Eating Certain Foods Or Drinks Make My Bladder Pain Symptoms Worse

Maybe. Some people report that their symptoms start or get worse after eating certain foods or drinks, such as:16

• Citrus fruits, such as oranges
• Drinks with caffeine, such as coffee or soda

Keep a food diary to track your symptoms after eating certain foods or drinks. You can also stop eating foods or drinks one at a time for at least one week to see if your symptoms go away. If not, stop eating other trigger foods or drinks one at a time for one week to see which ones may be causing some of your symptoms.

Key Points About Interstitial Cystitis

• Interstitial cystitis is an inflamed or irritated bladder wall.

• The cause of IC is unknown and it does not get better with antibiotics.

• There is no best way to diagnose IC. A variety of tests may be needed. Urine tests will be done and imaging tests may be used to look at the different parts of the urinary tract and make sure everything is normal. Tissue samples may be removed from the bladder and examined under a microscope to see if cancer or other abnormal cells are present.

• Treatments are aimed at easing symptoms. A variety of procedures, medicines, and lifestyle changes may be advised.

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What Is Painful Bladder Syndrome

Painful Bladder Syndrome

Painful bladder syndrome is a condition that causes bladder pain, pressure, or discomfort. Some people feel the need to urinate frequently or rush to get to the bathroom. The symptoms range from mild to severe and can happen sometimes or all the time. PBS is not caused by an infection, but it can feel like a urinary tract infection or UTI. Painful bladder syndrome is also referred to as bladder pain syndrome and interstitial cystitis. In the past, doctors thought PBS was rare and difficult to treat. We now know that PBS affects many women and men and treatments are helpful.

What causes PBS?

No one knows for sure, but we think PBS happens when the inner lining of the bladder is not working properly. This means that nerves in the wall of the bladder become hypersensitive so the normal feeling of the bladder filling can be painful. There may also be inflammation or allergic reaction responses in the bladder. Some people report developing PBS after an injury to the bladder such as a severe bladder infection or major trauma, but this is not always the case. PBS is more common in people who have irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or other chronic pain conditions. It is not clear why these problems happen together.

What are the symptoms of PBS?

How is PBS diagnosed?

Do I need a cystoscopy?

How is PBS treated?

Simple changes to diet or routines can help some people with bladder pain. Steps might include

How To Manage Bladder Irritation In The Meantime

The amount of involuntary urine loss from Irritable Bladder Syndrome can be substantial as control is significantly compromised. While you seek treatment or if bladder retraining is underway, you may find an absorbent product specifically designed to handle the thin, fast flow caused by a bladder contraction practical.Take advantage of TENAs Free Samples to find which product and level of absorbency that best suits your requirements. You can order up to three free samples at a time.For social situations, consider something from the TENA Pants range for women and men

. Designed to look and feel just like regular underwear, theyre very absorbent, keeping you dry and comfortable. Theyre also close fitting so incredibly discreet under clothing.And again, if you are suffering from any symptoms associated with an Irritable Bladder, you must see your doctor.

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Overactive Bladder At Night

If you find that you wake up to urinate more than one time per night, you may have a condition called nocturia, or overactive bladder at night. Nocturia isnt the same as overactive bladder. In fact, some people who experience no OAB symptoms during the day can still have nocturia.

Nocturia is more common in people over age 60, but one in three adults over 30 need two or more trips to the bathroom each night. Most adults can sleep six to eight hours without waking up. Others may only need to wake up once.

If you require more bathrooms breaks during your slumber, you may be experiencing overactive bladder at night.

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Treatment For Interstitial Cystitis

Unfortunately, there is no simple treatment to eliminate the symptoms of interstitial cystitis, and no one treatment works for everyone. Some options do offer some relief, however. Medications

Most commonly doctors prescribe an oral medication called pentosan . Elmiron is the only oral drug approved by the FDA specifically for interstitial cystitis. Some say that the drug may restore the inner surface of the bladder, which protects the bladder wall from substances in the urine that could irritate it.

It takes two to four months before a patient begins to feel pain relief, and up to six months to experience a decrease in urinary frequency. There are also several possible side effects such as minor gastrointestinal disturbances and possible hair loss. Not for use by pregnant women, Elmiron may cause bleeding and loss of pregnancy. Other oral medications that may improve the symptoms of interstitial cystitis include ibuprofen and other non-steroidal pain medications.

Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline or imipramine , may help relax the bladder and block pain. They can also, of course, help with the depression that may be associated with interstitial cystitis. Nerve root modulationSacral nerves, which run from the lower spinal cord to the bladder, pelvic floor, and lower bowel, regulate bladder and bowel control. A method of nerve stimulation called sacral nerve root modulation can be very helpful for people with interstitial cystitis.

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Avoid Foods That Irritate Your Bladder

The first step toward calming an irritated bladder is to avoid foods that worsen the symptoms you experience. The most troublesome foods include citrus fruits and juices, caffeine, tomato, and tomato-based products, spicy foods, alcohol, vinegar, and some artificial sweeteners .

Besides these foods, other foods that may irritate your bladder include chocolate, carbonated drinks, onions, and processed foods.

Ideally, you should avoid or reduce your intake of these foods. While some foods are known as bladder irritants, the experiences may vary.

Its useful to have a food journal where youll track your intake of foods and vegetables and also log symptoms you experience. This will help you detect foods that irritate your bladder and urethra.

How Can You Calm An Irritated Bladder And Get Relief From The Symptoms

There are a few things that you can do to help calm an irritated bladder and get relief from the symptoms. Some of these include:

-Drinking plenty of fluids: This will help to keep the urine diluted and reduce irritation.

-Taking over-the-counter pain medication: This can help to relieve pain and inflammation. Tylenol is better than Motrin or Advil.

-Using a heating pad: This can help to soothe pain and cramping.

avoiding foods and drinks that can irritate the bladder: These include caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and acidic fruits.

-Practicing stress relief techniques: This can help to relax the muscles around the bladder and reduce irritation.

Once again it is important to see a health care provider to make sure that it is not a bladder infection, kidney stones, or cancer.

You can also schedule a consultation with our team here at Atlantic Gynecology and Urogynecology. Dr Hardy has a special interest in treating patients with IC who have not seen improvement in their symptoms with first-line therapies such as dietary changes and prescription medications. He offers a novel treatment option called intravesical therapy which involves infusing medication directly into the bladder using an cystoscope through your urethra. This minimally invasive procedure can provide relief for many women who suffer from interstitial cystitis without having to take oral medications every day or undergo surgery!

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Things You Can Do To Help Bps

Things that may help improve your symptoms include:

• reducing stress try exercise, warm baths and mindfulness-based meditation techniques
• making sure you are hydrated regularly throughout the day
• keeping a food diary if you notice certain foods or drinks make symptoms worse, avoid them, but ask for medical advice first
• stopping smoking the chemicals in cigarettes can irritate your bladder

Urgent And Frequent Urination

The most prominent symptom of IC is the need to urinate frequently. While most people urinate up to seven times per day, people with IC tend to urinate as many as 30 to 40 times per day. Often, the urge to urinate is prompted by only a few drops of urine. Unfortunately, that distracting sense of urgency doesnt always subside after you go. This symptom can occur all day and throughout the night , interrupting your sleep pattern.

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Main Causes Of Bladder Pain

he exact causes of Painful Bladder Syndrome are unknown, with a number of theories being put forward. One such theory suggests an event may act as a trigger to bring on the pain.

Some of these triggers may be:

• Bacterial infection
• Bladder overextension due to long periods without going to the bathroom
• An injury to the nerves in or surrounding the bladder or spinal cord
• Problem due to a surgical procedure or physical injury

Others theorise the symptoms of PBS may arise from several different abnormalities in the bladder itself specifically: the bladder surface, the blood supply to the bladder or to microorganisms present in the bladder.

> And yet more suggest bladder pain bladder may result from autoimmunity , or from the release of histamine from elevated numbers of mast cells in the bladder.

How Is Bladder Pain Syndrome Diagnosed

There is no one test to tell whether you have bladder pain syndrome. Your doctor or nurse will do a physical exam to look at your lower abdomen and lower back and ask you questions about your symptoms. Your doctor may give you tests to rule out other health problems, such as urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted infections , bladder cancer, or kidney stones.

Some tests your doctor may do include:

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When To See Your Gp

You should see your GP if you or your child have symptoms of cystitis for the first time.

Cystitis isn’t usually a cause for serious concern, but the symptoms can be similar to several other conditions, so it’s important to get a proper diagnosis.

If you’re a woman who has had cystitis before, you don’t necessarily need to see your GP again. Cystitis is very common in women and mild cases often get better on their own. Speak to a pharmacist if you need any advice about treating cystitis.

However, you should see your GP if your symptoms are severe or don’t start to get better in a few days, you get cystitis frequently, or you’re pregnant.

Children and men should always be seen by a GP if they have symptoms of cystitis, as the condition is less common and could be more serious in these groups.