What is interstitial cystitis mistaken for?

IC is often mistaken for a urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection, which it is not. Some IC patients do have low levels of bacteria in their urine that don’t normally qualify as a urinary tract infection and others may have atypical bacteria, such as ureaplasm.

Is interstitial cystitis a serious disease?

IC is a chronic disease. Patients may find some comfort in the fact that it is not life-threatening and it does not lead to cancer. However, because the symptoms are always present, patients need to develop coping skills to deal with them.

What is the best medication for interstitial cystitis?

Amitriptyline is the medication most commonly prescribed for interstitial cystitis. Elmiron is the only oral drug approved by the FDA specifically for interstitial cystitis. It improves the bladder lining, making it less leaky and therefore less inflamed and painful. The full effect may take three to six months.

Is Turmeric Good for interstitial cystitis?

Curcumin: Curcumin, one of the most potent bioactive compounds in turmeric, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. New studies show that curcumin can help treat the inflammation that leads to interstitial cystitis and its symptoms.

Will my interstitial cystitis ever go away?

For about half the cases, interstitial cystitis goes away by itself. Among those who need treatment, most find relief and get their lives back to normal. Treatment is mainly about symptom control.

Can IC make your kidneys hurt?

Complications of interstitial cystitis include: Decreased bladder capacity. Kidney damage secondary to long-term high bladder pressure. Permanent or chronic pain.

Are there any studies on pregnancy and interstitial cystitis?

Unfortunately, there is limited scientific data on the subject of interstitial cystitis (IC) and pregnancy. In 1989, an ICA study surveying 48 IC patients representing 78 pregnancies, yielded valuable data on the effects of pregnancy on IC.

What kind of pain does interstitial cystitis cause?

Interstitial cystitis (in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis) — also called painful bladder syndrome — is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe. Your bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine.

When to see a doctor for interstitial cystitis?

However, symptoms may worsen if a person with interstitial cystitis gets a urinary tract infection. If you’re experiencing chronic bladder pain or urinary urgency and frequency, contact your doctor. The exact cause of interstitial cystitis isn’t known, but it’s likely that many factors contribute.

When to discontinue cystitis medicine during pregnancy?

If your health insurance plan offers limited choice in prenatal care providers, you may need to educate your assigned providers about IC and pelvic pain. Today, many doctors advise women to discontinue all but the safest medicines during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.