Interstitial Cystitis

A chronic condition of the bladder characterized by damage to its protective lining is referred to as interstitial cystitis. With this condition, the symptoms include urinary urgency and frequency, or occasional to constant and mild to severe pain between the inside of the thighs and the navel. Women make up about 9 in 10 of patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. Chronic interstitial cystitis treatment is available at our facility in Glendale, AZ.

Causes of Interstitial Cystitis May Include:

  • Damage to the bladder from a urinary substance
  • A defect in the lining of the bladder (epithelial tissue), enabling aggravating substances in the urine to infiltrate the bladder
  • An inflammatory cell releasing histamine or other chemicals
  • An alteration of the nerves passing through the bladder that causes pain not previously felt
  • The immune system of the body attacking the bladder due to an autoimmune response
  • Chronic microorganism infection – Chronic cystitis is often misdiagnosed as interstitial cystitis if cultures are negative
Best Prostate Cancer Doctors Near Glendale AZ

Many times these causes may impact each other and increase the symptoms of interstitial cystitis.

Tests:

As part of chronic cystitis treatment, various tests will be used to obtain an accurate diagnosis. At the outset, patients will receive a medical history evaluation, urine tests, and physical exam. The urologist may also apply a cystoscopy test which visualizes the interior of the bladder to reveal an ulcers or areas of bleeding.

The urologist may also perform an urodynamics evaluation to determine whether or not interstitial cystitis is present. This test records bladder pressure while the bladder fills and discharges. Some of the indications of interstitial cystitis are a small bladder capacity and pain as the bladder fills.

The urologist may also perform a potassium sensitivity test in which pain and urgency levels are measured as potassium solutions and water are sent into the bladder, one liquid at a time. The patient with interstitial feels a greater urgency and level of pain when the potassium solution is present. The patient who experiences no difference between the two solutions indicates a normal batter. Personally, I don’t perform this test because of the associated discomfort.

Treatments:

Although interstitial cystitis has no medical cure, it may be treated with different medications. Maintaining an appropriate acid base balance in your urine is a mainstay in the treatment of bladder symptoms. An over the counter supplement that is very helpful with this is prelief.

Oral pentosan polysulfate (elmiron) is an oral treatment for chronic cystitis of the bladder. This medication is designed to restore the protective coating on the bladder epithelium and reduce inflammation. Unfortunately it has come to light that maculopathy has been identified with both short and long term use of the drug and while still available, the label was changed to reflect this warning in 2020.

Prostate Treatment Glendale AZ

Urologists also give patients with interstitial cystitis dimethyl sulfide which is supplied to the bladder through a catheter one time per week for six weeks. This medication is formulated to treat interstitial cystitis by preventing inflammation, eliminating free radicals which damage tissue, and reducing pain.

Other chronic interstitial cystitis treatment options include oral amitriptyline, oral hydroxyzine, and the use of a catheter to insert heparin into the bladder.

Oral amitriptyline is designated as an antidepressant that also treats the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. It also reduces bladder spasms, functions as an antihistamine, and slows down the progress of nerves that convey messages of pain. The potential side effects of this medication include weight gain, constipation, and sedation.

Oral hydroxyzine functions as an antihistamine that induces sedation, enabling patients to urinate less frequently and sleep through the night.

The insertion of heparin in the bladder with a catheter is intended to build and restore the protective coating on the epithelial cells of the bladder. There are rarely any side effects to this chronic cystitis treatment with heparin at our facility in Glendale, AZ.