Interstitial Cystitis Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Treatment Specialist

There is no specific course of action to diagnose interstitial cystitis, but it is often confirmed through a process of elimination when checking for other health conditions as the symptoms are very similar to a number of other urinary or bladder conditions. Some of the common tests that are done to determine the cause of symptoms and will lead to a confirmed diagnosis of interstitial cystitis include:

– Urinalysis: assessing a urine sample in a lab to check for specific chemicals including white and red blood cells, or specific proteins and bacteria.

– Bladder wall biopsy: Tissue is removed from the bladder to be examined under a microscope, looking for abnormal cells.

– Cystoscopy: The urinary tract and bladder are examined using a small camera-like device that is inserted using a thin tube to assess the structure of the examined areas.

There are other tests that can be used as well, but in most cases, interstitial cystitis is confirmed by the ruling out of other similar conditions.

There is no single known cause of interstitial cystitis, but there are several possible factors that increase the risk of developing the condition. One factor that is known for increasing the chances of developing interstitial cystitis is the presence of a defect in the epithelium, which is the term referring to the protective lining of the bladder, leading to leaks which may allow for toxic substances that are present in the urine to come into contact with the bladder wall, causing irritation. Other known possible contributing factors include the presence of an infection or allergy, an autoimmune response, and a family history of the condition. Those who are assigned female at birth, aged in their 30s or older, and have a chronic pain disorder are also more likely to develop interstitial cystitis.

The severity of interstitial cystitis can be classified into three different stages: mild, moderate, and severe. Mild interstitial cystitis will typically involve symptoms that are mild and that occur intermittently, making the condition a bit trickier to accurately diagnose at this point. Some early indicators will often include increased frequency of urination, with occasional pain in the bladder, some discomfort experienced during intercourse, and will all typically occur only during flare-ups of the condition. Once the condition is considered to be moderate, the symptoms will increase in intensity and frequency, often causing patients to need to urinate hourly and with more urgency. The pain experienced will become more frequent and intense as well, with intercourse often leading to painful flare-ups that will last for anywhere from 3 to 14 days and resulting in little relief between flare-ups. It is common for patients to seek medical attention during the moderate stage. The severe stage will typically involve flare-ups that will last for at least several weeks but will often last for several months, making intercourse incredibly painful. As the symptoms worsen, incontinence will likely develop and the pain experienced during flare-ups will become debilitating.

There is currently no cure for interstitial cystitis pelvic pain syndrome, but there are several different treatments available to help manage symptoms during flare-ups. There are several foods that can be connected with triggering symptoms in many patients, so often the symptoms can be managed pretty well just with changes in diet, with foods that are highly acidic being a common culprit. Maintaining an active lifestyle has also shown to help reduce symptoms, as well as managing stress levels wherever possible. More specific treatment options include physical therapy, prescription medications, retraining of the bladder, bladder stretching, bladder instillations, nerve stimulation, injections of botulinum toxin, and surgery. Treatment will also include determining potential causes for the condition and addressing those at the source as another means to manage symptoms.

Learn more about the Interstitial Cystitis Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome at Global Neuro and Spine Institute. We offer Interstitial Cystitis Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome treatment to make your life pain free. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from all across the Sunshine State, in Orlando FL, Conway FL, Edgewood FL, Jensen Beach FL, Ocean Breeze FL, Rio FL, Palm Bay FL, Malabar FL, Melbourne FL, Atlantis FL, Palm Springs FL, Boynton Beach FL, Fort Pierce FL, White City FL, St Lucie FL, Plantation FL, Pine Island Ridge FL, Lauderhill FL, Winter Park FL, Bertha FL, Alafaya FL and surrounding areas.