Interstitial cystitis

What is interstitial cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition in which the bladder wall becomes inflamed, causing all the symptoms often ascribed to an infection – such as pain and an urgent need to pass urine frequently.

These symptoms usually must have been present for at least nine months before a diagnosis is made.

Interstitial cystitis is a newly recognised condition - for decades it was dismissed by some as a condition of 'hysterical women', despite the fact that many thousands of women suffer from symptoms. Only in the past 15 years has it been classed as a real, physical problem.

Some women improve after a few months. For others, the symptoms can go on for years although they rarely get worse. A few develop long-term complications as the bladder becomes ulcerated, small and stiff.

Causes and Risk factors

The cause of interstitial cystitis isn't known. It may begin with infection, but the urine is usually sterile and no micro-organisms can be detected.

However, some experts believe there's a hidden infection, much like the one recently found to cause stomach ulcers.

Some research has pointed to a defect or alteration in the surface of the bladder, which may allow harmful chemicals in urine to pass into the tissues and cause inflammation and damage to the bladder nerves.

Recently it has been shown that some women with interstitial cystitis lack a protective protein that normally blocks these toxic chemicals.

Other research has found auto-antibodies against the lining of the bladder, suggesting it might be under attack from the body's own immune system.

Treatment and Recovery

As yet there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, but many treatments are being tried, including:

• Antibiotics
• Treatments to distend the bladder
• Bladder washes
• Bladder training strategies
• Surgery
• Medications such as pentosan polysulphate sodium, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen