NHS Choices Condition
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While most cases of cystitis clear up either on their own, or with antibiotics, some people may experience almost constant symptoms, or recurring episodes. If no cause can be found, and the cystitis does not respond to antibiotics, you may have interstitial cystitis.
Some GPs may also use the term 'painful bladder syndrome' (PBS) to describe a condition that causes pain, but does not quite meet the criteria to be diagnosed as interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a condition that causes recurring discomfort in the bladder and pelvic region. Like cystitis, it can cause an urgent and frequent need to urinate. Other symptoms, and the level of pain caused by interstitial cystitis, can vary from person to person.
Some people may find it more painful when their bladder is full, or more painful when they pass water. Women may find the condition more painful during their period.
How common is it?
In 2004, there were around 400,000 people in the UK with interstitial cystitis, and since then this is likely to have increased.
Over 90 per cent of the people with interstitial cystitis are women, and on average it is diagnosed at around 40 years of age.
What causes it?
It is not clear what causes interstitial cystitis. Researchers are currently investigating whether the condition is inherited, or if it is part of a more general condition that causes inflammation and, in some people, affects the bladder.
How is it treated?
Treatment can include:
- medications, including painkillers and antidepressants,
- bladder distension - when the bladder is filled with water to increase its volume,
- bladder instillation - when the bladder is filled with a solution that includes medication to reduce the inflammation of the bladder walls, or
- surgery, if other treatments have not worked.
If you are diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, your GP, or the healthcare professional treating you, will explain the condition and the treatment options to you in more detail. See the useful links section for further information.
view information about Cystitis on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
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