What is IC/BPS? | Interstitial Cystitis Association (2024)

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What is IC/BPS? | Interstitial Cystitis Association? ›

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), formerly called interstitial cystitis, is a chronic (>6 weeks duration) pelvic condition that affects or appears to affect the urinary bladder with symptoms of discomfort, pressure, or pain.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a group of symptoms including mild to severe bladder pain and an urgent and/or frequent need to urinate. The disorder can affect women and men but is more common in women.

The cause of interstitial cystitis (IC) is unknown. Researchers are looking at many theories to understand the causes of IC and find the best treatments. Most people with IC find that certain foods make their symptoms worse.

What is the life expectancy for someone with interstitial cystitis? Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition where the bladder is more sensitive than usual. Health experts indicate that it is not a life threatening condition, so it will not impact someone's life expectancy.

Because they can cause similar symptoms, it's easy to confuse the two. But they're very different conditions. Interstitial cystitis happens when the bladder gets inflamed, but it's not entirely clear why this happens. UTIs happen when bacteria infect parts of the urinary tract, usually the bladder.

If untreated, the interstitial cystitis will result in a gradual shrinking of the capacity of the bladder and this will usually progress to the associated symptom of pain; thus, as the disease progresses, pain becomes a predominant feature. This may be ascribed as pelvic pain, lower abdominal pain, or fleeting pain.

Pentosan polysulfate sodium (Elmiron), which is approved by the Food and Drug Administration specifically for treating interstitial cystitis.

However, some people with IC find that certain foods or drinks trigger or worsen their symptoms. Coffee, soda, alcohol, tomatoes, hot and spicy foods, chocolate, caffeinated beverages, citrus juices and drinks, MSG, and high-acid foods can trigger IC symptoms or make them worse.

If you feel an IC flare coming on, start treating it as soon as possible. Try these strategies for relief. Increase water intake – Drinking more water may help curb the severity of your symptoms. Take medication – Your healthcare provider may prescribe medication when you have a flare.

How many times a day do you pee with interstitial cystitis? ›

If you have interstitial cystitis, you'll receive the message to pee much more frequently, sometimes up to 60 times in a day, and the process of holding and releasing urine becomes very painful. For women, the pain in the pelvic region can increase in severity during the menstrual cycle.

While many IC patients deal with weight gain due to all the above reasons, other patients deal with weight loss. Beyer said many patients lose weight initially due to the fear of eating too many different foods.

Whether you know Charlotte McKinney from Baywatch, Dancing With The Stars, or one of her many ad campaigns, what you probably don't know is that she suffers from a chronic bladder condition called interstitial cystitis.

Doctors use treatments to either coat and protect the bladder or suppress inflammation. Medications for interstitial cystitis such as Elmiron may reduce bladder discomfort and pain in some people with IC and may work by repairing the damaged bladder lining.

During flares, patients may also experience the “IC Belly,” a sudden and random swelling of the lower abdomen. When an IC bladder is examined using a procedure called hydrodistention with cystoscopy, physicians often find small, bleeding wounds, also known as petechial hemorrhages or glomerulations.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic and painful condition of the bladder. People with IC have a bladder wall that is tender and easily irritated, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Although IC currently has no cure, the symptoms can be managed to help you feel better and live more comfortably.

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