Interstitial Cystitis: A Chronic Painful Bladder

What are the symptoms of interstitial cystitis?

Interstitial Cystitis is a painful condition that usually consist of urinary pain and chronic bladder pain. Symptoms can be aggravated by a spicy food diet. Urinary frequency and burning and pain in the urethra are almost always present. People with interstitial cystititis (IC) tend to report a history of urinary tract infections and bladder infections. In most cases, interstitial cystitis is a women's disorder, but roughly 12 % of all cases are men. In interstitial cystitis, the inflammation of the bladder is believed to be the root of the problem.

Common symptoms of interstitial cystitis

*Urinary tract infections
*Urinary pain or bladder infection
*Pelvic muscle pain

Treatment for this painful chronic pain condition is usually antibiotics or medications that coat the urinary tract to give relief to the constant burning. Diet modification such as the elimination of caffeine and spicy foods, can also bring relief. In a lot of cases, there may be chronic, tight pelvic floor muscles that may be the cause. The pelvic floor tension can refer pain to the bladder. Trigger points, or tiny muscle knots usually develop in deep rectal muscles such as the levator ani or abdominal muscles. These points then refer pain to other areas of the body.

It is very important to make sure that trigger points don't exist. These may be the prime source of the problem. Visit a licensed physical therapist that can do internal examination of the pelvic floor muscles. If the trigger points are the main cause, internal massage and stretching can make a huge impact on your pain.

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Written by D.Herren