INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS (IC)
INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS (IC) is a chronic inflammatory bladder condition. IC is not completely understood, but it is believed that IC occurs when the protective lining of the bladder is broken down, which allows toxins to irritate the bladder wall. Symptoms include painful urination that can be frequent and urgent, and bladder discomfort. The symptoms of IC can range in severity from mild to severe and can be intermittent to constant. Although IC is not an infection, symptoms are similar to a bladder infection.
About 80% of IC patients are female, although that statistic may not be accurate since some men diagnosed with prostatitis may actually have IC. In women, it is associated with painful intercourse.
Presently doctors have differing opinions regarding how to diagnose IC. Some physicians diagnose the patient with IC if no other causes for their symptoms can be found, while other physicians believe more tests are necessary to determine the presence of IC. There is no single treatment for IC, so a treatment plan will be established for each patient based on their symptoms.
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