Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- How do my symptoms indicate interstitial cystitis, instead of another condition, such as an infection or urinary incontinence?
- Do I need any tests to confirm a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis?
- Will I need to see a specialist?
- What are my treatment options? Which treatment is best for me?
- How can I help manage my symptoms? Will diet changes, bladder training, or physical therapy help?
When To See A Gp
You should see a GP if you have persistent pelvic pain or you notice a change in your usual peeing pattern.
These symptoms can have a number of causes, so it’s a good idea to get a proper diagnosis.
The GP can refer you to a hospital specialist like a urologist, a specialist in conditions affecting the urinary system, for further tests, such as a cystoscopy. A cystoscopy is a procedure to examine the inside of the bladder.
What Is Interstitial Cystitis/painful Bladder Syndrome
Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome is a common condition that usually affects women in their 40s. It is a condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in your bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms can vary from person to person and even in the same individual.
This condition is thought to occur in around one in fifty women. Around a quarter of people with this condition will have actually had some symptoms since they were children.
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What Is The Latest Research On Bladder Pain Syndrome Treatment
Researchers continue to search for new ways to treat bladder pain. Some current studies focus on:
- New medicines to treat bladder pain
- Meditation as a way to control bladder pain
- The role of genetics in bladder pain
- Acupuncture treatment
To learn more about current bladder pain treatment studies, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.
Soothe Bladder Pain With These Foods
If you suffer from Overactive Bladder , Bladder Pain Syndrome, or Interstitial Cystitis , youre probably familiar with the feeling of discomfort and urgency that accompanies normal, everyday activities. One way to soothe bladder pain and control these symptoms is through your diet. Eliminating irritating foods and eating soothing foods should dull some of your bladder pain.
According to the IC Network, there are several foods that can affect your bladder symptoms and soothe bladder pain.
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Changes In Your Reproductive System
Bladder pain in women may also be a result of thinning vaginal skin, says Karl Luber, MD, a urogynecologist and a founder of the female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery fellowship program at UCSDKaiser Permanente in San Diego.
This is called atrophy and it’s most common when menopause deprives the tissues surrounding the vagina of estrogen, he explains. Oral estrogen doesnt help, but a vaginal estrogen cream may ease symptoms.
Talking with your doctor about bladder pain and discomfort can help determine where the problem really lies, Dr. Luber says.
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Try Taking A Probiotic
Introducing a probiotic to your system may help to replenish the naturally occurring, healthy bacteria that live in the gut. It is thought that probiotics may prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract cells, and may also lower the urine Ph, making it less hospitable to harmful bacteria. And, if you have taken an antibiotic to treat a UTI, taking a probiotic is a great way to build up the healthy bacteria that may have been killed during your course of treatment. Probiotics are found in supplement form , or they occur naturally in some types of food, including certain yogurts, kombucha, or kefir.
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Changes To Your Lifestyle
It is likely that you will be recommended to make some changes to your lifestyle, especially your diet. Certain foods and drinks can irritate the lining of your bladder and make your symptoms worse. These may include alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeinated and citrus drinks and acidic foods. It may be worthwhile making a food diary to try to assess which foods aggravate and worsen your symptoms.
The simplest way to find out whether any foods bother your bladder is to try an elimination diet for one to two weeks. On an elimination diet, you stop eating all foods that could irritate your bladder. If your bladder symptoms improve while you are on the elimination diet, this means that at least one of the foods was irritating your bladder. The next step is to find out exactly which foods cause bladder problems for you. You should then try eating one food from the list of foods you stopped eating. If this food does not bother your bladder within 24 hours, this food is likely safe and can be added back into your regular diet. The next day, try eating a second food from the list, and so on. In this way, you will add the foods back into your diet one at a time and your bladder symptoms will tell you if any food causes problems for you.
Some people look at ways to reduce their stress levels, as this can actually improve their symptoms.
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
- Alcohol
- 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.
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Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
A similar technique to electro-acupuncture is called transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation . With TENS, electrodes are taped to the surface of the skin rather than being inserted like electro-acupuncture needles. TENS is used in people who have a condition that prohibits them from being needled, or who have a fear of being needled.
The mild electrical pulses of TENS are delivered through the skin to stimulate the nerves of the bladder. TENS is also useful for alleviating interstitial cystitis symptoms by strengthening the pelvic muscles that help control your bladder, increasing blood flow to the bladder, and releasing substances known to block pain.
A study published in the Journal of Mid-Life Health in 2017 found that TENS effectively and safely treated interstitial cystitis or chronic pelvic pain.
What Is Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic, inflammatory, painful pelvic and bladder condition that can sometimes be difficult to treat. According to the Interstitial Cystitis Association, IC is also referred to by several other names, including painful bladder syndrome , bladder pain syndrome and chronic pelvic pain.
Is interstitial cystitis considered a disability? In some ways, yes. IC is sometimes said to be debilitating and can be associated with severe pain and limitations, negatively impacting peoples quality of life. Unfortunately, its considered a life long condition that must be managed on an ongoing basis, much like autoimmune disorders or digestive issues such as IBS.
Many people mistake IC for other health conditions, especially urinary tract infections . This is because these two conditions share similar symptoms, like bladder and pelvic pain. However, with IC there is no infection present, unlike with UTIs. IC can also be confused with chronic prostatitis in men, which experts believe has led to an under-diagnosis of IC among adult men.
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Supportive Therapies And Treatments
Some people also find the following therapies and supportive treatments helpful:
- physiotherapy massaging the pelvic floor muscles may help reduce any strain on your bladder
- bladder retraining where you gradually learn to be able to hold more pee in your bladder before needing to go to the toilet
- psychological therapy to help you cope with your symptoms and their impact on your life
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation where a small battery-operated device is used to relieve pain by sending electrical impulses into your body
What Are The Symptoms Of Interstitial Cystitis/painful Bladder Syndrome
It is common to experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness or intense pain in your bladder and pelvic area. These symptoms often persist for many weeks. The intensity of your symptoms can often fluctuate and so be different on different days. Some days your symptoms are likely to be more severe than on other days.
In addition to this pain, you are likely to have symptoms such as needing to pass urine more frequently and/or pain on passing urine. You may also find that you are not able to hold on to urine for as long as you used to. Such symptoms will have lasted for more than six weeks and not have been found to be due to another cause such as infection.
You may feel pain when having sexual intercourse. IC/PBS can affect the way you exercise and sleep and can cause a great deal of distress. Without treatment, IC/PBS symptoms make it hard to get through your day or even to be able to work. This can really affect not only your life but also your relationship with your partner.
Some people with IC/PBS have other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and other pain syndromes.
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Final Thoughts On Interstitial Cystitis Natural Treatment
An inflamed bladder can cause a number of troublesome symptoms, including abdominal and pelvic pressure, accidental leakage of urine, frequent urination, the urge to urinate, and burning or pain upon urination. You are also at risk for anxiety, depression, and emotional stress.
Thankfully interstitial cystitis natural treatment can help relieve your symptoms. For instance, you can train your bladder make positive dietary changes manage your stress drink more water or try pelvic floor physical therapy, acupuncture, or other mind-body relaxation techniques. Inflamed bladder home remedies also include arginine, quercetin, green tea, turmeric, baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and hot compresses.
Relief with natural treatment for interstitial cystitis is possible. It is a good idea to consult a natural practitioner like a holistic nutritionist or naturopathic doctor for further guidance in the treatment of interstitial cystitis and bladder problems.
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Treatments For Interstitial Cystitis
Unfortunately, there’s 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 there’s 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.
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What Is Gallbladder Pain
Gallbladder pain is an all-inclusive term used to describe any pain due to disease related to the gallbladder. The major gallbladder problems that produce gallbladder pain are biliary colic, cholecystitis, gallstones, pancreatitis, and ascending cholangitis. Symptoms vary and may be triggered by eating certain foods. The pain may be described as intermittent, constant, abdominal, radiating to the back, mild to severe depending on the underlying cause.
A brief review of the gallbladder anatomy and function may help readers better understand gallbladder pain. The gallbladder is connected to the liver via ducts that supply bile to the gallbladder for storage. These bile ducts then form the common hepatic duct that joins with the cystic duct from the gallbladder to form the common bile duct that empties into the GI tract . In addition, the pancreatic duct usually merges with the common bile duct just before it enters the duodenum. Hormones trigger the gallbladder to release bile when fat and amino acids reach the duodenum after eating a meal , which facilitates the digestion of these foods. Statistics suggest that women may have up to twice the incidence of gallstones than men.
What Is Bladder Pain
Bladder pain is a common condition, primarily in women, that can be attributed to a few different factors. These can include a urinary tract infection, Bladder stones, Crohns Disease or even bladder cancer.
But by far the most common cause of bladder pain is a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis , or as it is sometimes referred to, Painful Bladder Syndrome . It occurs when your bladder becomes inflamed or irritated and is likely to be at its most painful with a full bladder.
Until recently, Painful Bladder Syndrome had been hard to diagnose. For that reason, the number of people suffering the condition have been unclear, although estimates suggest it could be more than 60,000 Australians . PBS can also, to a lesser extent, affect men and children.
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Phenazopyridine comes as a tablet or capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times a day after meals. Do not chew or crush the tablets as it may cause your teeth to become stained swallow them whole with a full glass of water. You may stop taking this drug when pain and discomfort completely disappear. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take phenazopyridine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
What Are The Symptoms Of Interstitial Cystitis
Symptoms of IC/PBS vary from case to case, and can be mild, severe, occasional or constant. The symptoms may be similar to those of a bladder infection. Womens symptoms often get worse during menstrual periods.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis include the following:
- Suprapubic or pelvic pain.
- Pressure or discomfort when the bladder is filling.
- Having to urinate frequently.
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What You Need To Know
- Interstitial cystitis is a chronic pain condition. Diagnosis and treatment can be difficult, as the exact cause is unknown.
- No specific test exists to diagnose interstitial cystitis it is often diagnosed after other conditions have been ruled out.
- Genetic and immune disorders, recurrent bacterial infections, and pelvic floor dysfunction are possible factors that can lead to this condition.
- Excessive frequency of urination, urinary urgency, and urethra, bladder or pelvic pain are common symptoms.
- Treatment is divided into five phases, ranging from lifestyle changes to injections to surgery.
What Are The Tests For This Condition
There are no actual tests to diagnose this condition. Tests are usually undertaken to exclude other diseases which may cause your symptoms. These tests often include a urine test, and a cystoscopy. A cystoscopy is a test in which a special thin telescope is passed into your bladder via your water pipe .
Some people are recommended to have a urodynamic test. This involves filling your bladder with water through a small tube called a catheter, which drains fluid from your bladder. This measures bladder pressures as your bladder fills and empties. In patients with IC/PBS the bladder has a small capacity and can lead to pain with filling.
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What Is The Outlook
You may need to try different treatments until you have relief of your symptoms. It is important to know that none of the treatments usually works right away. It can often take weeks to even months before you notice an improvement in your symptoms. Even with successful treatment, your IC/PBS may not be completely cured.
However, most patients can have significant relief of their symptoms and lead a normal life with the right treatment. You may find that you still experience some symptoms, however, and may find that you constantly have to pass urine more frequently. It is likely that you will always have to avoid certain types of food that have made your symptoms worse in the past.
What Is Interstitial Cystitis/bladder Pain Syndrome
Interstitial cystitis /bladder pain syndrome is a chronic bladder health issue. It is a feeling of pain and pressure in the bladder area. Along with this pain are lower urinary tract symptoms which have lasted for more than 6 weeks, without having an infection or other clear causes.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. For some patients the symptoms may come and go, and for others they don’t go away. IC/BPS is not an infection, but it may feel like a bladder infection. Women with IC/BPS may feel pain when having sex. The more severe cases of IC/BPS can affect your life and your loved ones. Some people with IC/BPS have other health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes.
The bladder and kidneys are part of the urinary system, the organs in our bodies that make, store, and pass urine. You have 2 kidneys that make urine. Then urine is stored in the bladder. The muscles in the lower part of your abdomen hold your bladder in place.
How the Urinary System Works
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Why Does My Bladder Hurt But No Infection
Diarrhoea, constipation, and other chronic symptoms of interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome are caused by interstitial cystitis. This is due to abnormal bladder pressure and pain in the area. In addition, there are also lower urinary tract symptoms that are over the course of six weeks without being caused by an infection.
Hot And Cold Compresses
Another simple and effective treatment is applying a hot compress to your bladder. This can reduce bladder swellingâa common interstitial cystitis symptom.
Your doctor may also recommend the combination of cold and hot packs on your abdomen to provide relief from pain and inflammation. But a hot compress is used specifically to reduce muscle spasms.
For this, wrap a thin cloth around a hot water bag, and apply it to your pelvic floor muscles for a five-minute period. After a five-minute break, reapply the hot water bag for another five minutes.
Repeat this two or three times per day, or whenever you feel pain around your pelvic floor or bladder.
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