| Abstract: |
This fact sheet answers common questions about interstitial cystitis (IC), a condition also called painful bladder syndrome. IC is defined as a chronic bladder problem that can cause pain and other symptoms. People with IC have an inflamed and irritated bladder that can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder, less bladder capacity, and bleeding in the bladder. IC can vary from relatively mild symptoms to severe cases that have an impact on the person’s quality of life. The fact sheet discusses the current research on the causes of IC, the symptoms and signs of the condition, diagnostic tests used to confirm the presence of IC, how diet affects IC, pregnancy in women with IC, and treatment options including bladder distention, bladder instillation, oral medicines, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), self-help strategies, and surgery. A final section lists contact information for three resource organizations through which readers can get additional information: the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse at 1–800–891–5390 or www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov, the Interstitial Cystitis Association at 1–800–435–7422 or www.ichelp.org, and the American Urological Association Foundation at 1–866–746–4282 or www.afud.org. |