What is Interstitial Cystitis?
Outline, Diagnosis and Treatment of Painful Bladder Condition
Interstitial Cystitis...the most painful bladder condition a woman can suffer. Is there a cure? Are the present painful treatments helping? Read on to learn more...
Bladder Infections
When a woman goes to the doctor complaining of a bladder infection, naturally the first step is a request for a urine sample. Invariably the sample comes back positive. Thus begins the round of antibiotic treatments, because most physicians do not go further into the problem to find the cause of these recurring 'bladder infections' but keep trying various antibiotics with little or no effect.
In the meantime thousands of women suffer with incredibly painful spasms of the bladder, even when any evidence of infection has disappeared. The spasms, which are not unlike the contractions of childbirth, can come at any time and often cause an involuntary cry. Patients have ended up staying at home, unable to work, travel, or socialize. Emptying the bladder is extremely painful and often happens up to 60 times a day. Needless to say, the patient does not sleep through the night. Her quality of life is severely limited and pain is her constant companion. Sexual intercourse is often impossible because of the pain.
Treatments for IC
According to the President and Fellows of Harvard College, Harvard Health Publications, there are many accepted modes of treatment for IC, the most usual being bladder distention, also known as bladder washing. For this, the already suffering patient must have a tube inserted into the bladder through the urethra, during which the physician injects sterile water to stretch the bladder. Patients complain of feeling worse for a couple of weeks after the treatment, which is only a diagnostic tool, and not a cure. It is most often done under a general anesthetic, not always a risk-free procedure.
It has been reported that 30 to 50 per cent of patients feel better after two weeks, but this relief lasts only three months at most, requiring the patient to return for more washing later. The solution that is used contains many different substances, including DMSO, a solvent that is purported to minimize swelling and the pain that accompanies it.
Cytoscopy
Another diagnostic measure is the cystoscopy, during which the physician inserts a small instrument into the bladder to take a biopsy to find out if there are other causes. During this procedure the bladder can also be tested, after filling with sterile water, for fluid retention. The physician is looking for evidence that the IC has damaged the bladder's ability to retain urine. However, if that is proven to be the case, there is little that can be done about it at the present time, or so we are told. However, some women have had success by following a few harmless procedures in their everyday life.
Dr. Barbara Lee, MD, CAFCI, an acupuncturist based in St.Marys, Ontario, Canada,suggests the following:
- Wash your underwear by hand in hot water, making sure that you do not use soap or detergent of any kind. Do not wash underpants in the machine with soap and dryer sheets.
- Do not shower or bathe with any soap or washing product, especially in the private regions! This just serves to irritate already inflamed tissues. Do not let shampoo touch the vaginal area...use a folded washcloth to cover the area and be sure to dry thoroughly. Do not dust with powder or use perfumes.
- Do not eat any citrus fruits, raw vegetables or spicy foods. No caffeine.
- Review your diet to see about your sodium intake. The RDA is approximately 2400 mg per day. Look at every label and do not exceed 200 mg per meal. Don't go by the per cent number. This is a very restricted diet, but if it succeeds in alleviating the pain and spasms it is certainly worth it.
- Try acupuncture...it has helped in many cases.
- Stress will make the symptoms worse, so try to keep yourself as relaxed as possible.
Sources:
Dr.Barbara Lee, MD., CAFCI, St.Marys, Ontario.
For further reading on health see Acupuncture and Reiki
