Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome
Autor: Regina (Rê) Fernandes | Publicado: 2016-09-02T18:58:00-07:00


Interstitial
cystitis (IC) is a condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in
the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. The symptoms vary from case to
case and even in the same individual. People may experience mild discomfort,
pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Symptoms
may include an urgent need to urinate, a frequent need to urinate, or a
combination of these symptoms.&nbsp;



Pain may change in intensity as the bladder
fills with urine or as it empties. Women’s symptoms often get worse during
menstruation. They may sometimes experience pain during vaginal intercourse.



Because IC varies so much in symptoms and severity,
most researchers believe it is not one, but several diseases. In recent years,
scientists have started to use the terms bladder pain syndrome (BPS) or painful
bladder syndrome (PBS) to describe cases with painful urinary symptoms that may
not meet the strictest definition of IC. The term IC/PBS includes all cases of
urinary pain that can’t be attributed to other causes, such as infection or
urinary stones. The term interstitial cystitis, or IC, is used alone when
describing cases that meet all of the IC criteria established by the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).












The
urinary system



classes.midlandstech.edu





In IC/PBS, the bladder wall may be irritated and
become scarred or stiff. Glomerulations— pinpoint bleeding—often appear on the
bladder wall. Hunner’s ulcers—patches of broken skin found on the bladder
wall—are present in 10 percent of people with IC.



Some people with IC/PBS find that their bladder cannot
hold much urine, which increases the frequency of urination. Frequency,
however, is not always specifically related to bladder size; many people with
severe frequency have normal bladder capacity when measured under anesthesia or
during urologic testing. People with severe cases of IC/PBS may urinate as many
as 60 times a day, including frequent nighttime urination, also called
nocturia.



IC/PBS is more common in women than in men. An
estimated 3.3 million U.S. women, or 2.7 percent, who are 18 years of age or
older have pelvic pain and other symptoms, such as urinary urgency or
frequency, that are associated with IC/PBS.1An
estimated 1.6 million U.S. men, or 1.3 percent, who are 30 to 79 years old have
persistent symptoms, such as pain with bladder filling or pain relieved by
bladder emptying, that are associated with PBS.



Some
of the symptoms of IC/PBS resemble those of bacterial infection, but medical
tests reveal no organisms in the urine of people with IC/PBS. Furthermore,
people with IC/PBS do not respond to antibiotic therapy. Researchers are
working to understand the causes of IC/PBS and to find effective treatments.



Many women with IC/PBS have other conditions such as
irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. Scientists believe IC/PBS may be a
bladder manifestation of a more general condition that causes inflammation in
various organs and parts of the body.



The diagnosis of IC/PBS in the general population is
based on the

presence of pain related to
     the bladder, usually accompanied by frequency and urgency of urination
absence of other diseases
     that could cause the symptoms


Diagnostic tests that help rule out other diseases
include urinalysis, urine culture, cystoscopy, biopsy of the bladder wall and
urethra, and distention of the bladder under anesthesia.



Although
not commonly done, in men without a history of culture-documented urinary tract
infections, the doctor might obtain prostatic fluid and examine it for signs of
a prostate infection, which can then be treated with antibiotics.



Scientists
have not yet found a cure for IC/PBS, nor can they predict who will respond
best to which treatment. Symptoms may disappear with a change in diet or
treatments or without explanation. Even when symptoms disappear, they may
return after days, weeks, months, or years. Scientists do not know why.



Because the causes of IC/PBS are unknown, current
treatments are aimed at relieving symptoms. Many people are helped for variable
periods by one or a combination of treatments. As researchers learn more about
IC/PBS, the list of potential treatments will change, so patients should
discuss their options with a doctor.



No
evidence exists that IC/PBS increases the risk of bladder cance



Researchers
have little information about pregnancy and IC/PBS but believe that the
disorder does not affect fertility or the health of the fetus. Some women find
that their IC/PBS goes into remission during pregnancy, while others experience
a worsening of their symptoms.



The
emotional support of family, friends, and other people with IC/PBS is very
important in helping patients cope. Studies have found that people who learn
about the disorder and become involved in their own care do better than people
who do not. The Interstitial Cystitis Association maintains a list of support
groups that can viewed at&nbsp;www.ichelp.org



This content is provided as a service of the&nbsp;National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases&nbsp;(NIDDK), part of the National
Institutes of Health. The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings
through its clearinghouses and education programs to increase knowledge and
understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals,
and the public. Content produced by the NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK
scientists and other experts.



The NIDDK would like to thank:


Philip Hanno, M.D., University of Pennsylvania

This information is not copyrighted. The NIDDK
encourages people to share this content freely.




Available at:&nbsp;
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/urologic-disease/interstitial-cystitis-painful-bladder-syndrome/Pages/facts.aspx