Interstitial Cystitis Specialist
Urology Of Greater Atlanta
Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition that affects millions of people, most of whom are women. It is a complex and debilitating disease that causes pelvic pain, bladder pressure, and frequent urination.
If you’re experiencing chronic pain or constant pressure in your bladder or pelvic area, you may be suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC). At Urology of Greater Atlanta, our team of board-certified urologists provides expert diagnosis and treatment for this painful condition. Call us or request an appointment online today for an IC consultation!
What Is Interstitial Cystitis?
IC is an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the bladder. IC is part of the painful bladder syndrome spectrum of diseases. IC interferes with the nerve signals between your bladder and your brain, triggering frequent urinary urges as well as other distressing symptoms.
IC can go through periods of dormancy with flare-ups. Specific triggers can also cause symptoms to flare up, such as long periods of sitting, menstruation, sexual activity, or exercise.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of IC?
Most often, IC causes pelvic pain and frequent and often painful trips to the bathroom. You might also experience painful intercourse.
Other common signs of IC are:
- A constant, urgent need to urinate
- Pain in the pelvic area or bladder
- Pain between the vagina and anus in women or scrotum and anus in men
- Frequent urination throughout the day, but only in small amounts
What Are the Risk Factors for IC?
IC doesn’t have a single cause. Instead, several factors can contribute to the condition, such as a small defect in the bladder’s lining, heredity, allergies, and infection.
Additionally, women are more likely to develop cystitis than men. Your risk of IC is also higher if you have another chronic pain disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia.
What Treatments Are Available for IC?
The first step in treating IC is confirming your diagnosis. The team at Urology of Greater Atlanta provides thorough testing and analysis, including cystoscopy or urodynamic testing, to evaluate your condition and identify the best treatment.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your treatment could be as simple as changing your dietary habits, implementing physical therapy exercises, or taking medication. Your urologist might recommend biofeedback therapy or hydrodistention of the bladder using medicated bladder cocktails for more severe cases.
If you have IC-related neurological dysfunction, your provider might suggest Botox® injections to neutralize those signals and relieve muscle spasms.
See an Interstitial Cystitis Expert Today
If you are experiencing symptoms of interstitial cystitis (IC), such as pelvic pain, bladder pressure, and frequent urination, it is important to seek help from a urology practice that specializes in IC. With proper diagnosis and personalized treatment, it is possible to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Contact our practice today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced urologists at Urology of Greater Atlanta. We are dedicated to helping our patients find relief and achieve optimal bladder health.
IC is an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the bladder. IC is part of the painful bladder syndrome spectrum of diseases. IC interferes with the nerve signals between your bladder and your brain, triggering frequent urinary urges as well as other distressing symptoms.
IC can go through periods of dormancy with flare-ups. Specific triggers can also cause symptoms to flare up, such as long periods of sitting, menstruation, sexual activity, or exercise.
Most often, IC causes pelvic pain and frequent and often painful trips to the bathroom. You might also experience painful intercourse. Other common signs are:
- A constant, urgent need to urinate
- Pain in the pelvic area or bladder
- Pain between the vagina and anus in women or scrotum and anus in men
- Frequent urination throughout the day, but only in small amounts
IC doesn't have a single cause — instead, several factors can contribute to the condition, such as a small defect in the bladder's lining, heredity, allergies, and infection.
Additionally, women are more likely to develop cystitis than men. Your risk of IC is also higher if you have another chronic pain disorder such as irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia.
The first step in treating IC is confirming your diagnosis. The team at Urology of Greater Atlanta provides thorough testing and analysis, including cystoscopy or urodynamic testing to evaluate your condition and identify the best treatment.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your treatment could be as simple as changing your dietary habits or taking medication. Your urologist might recommend biofeedback therapy or hydrodistention of the bladder using medicated bladder cocktails for more severe cases. If you have IC related neurological dysfunction, your provider might suggest Botox® injections to neutralize those signals and relieve muscle spasm.
At Urology of Greater Atlanta our team of top-rated urologists offers treatment options that have helped women throughout Metro Atlanta manage or overcome interstitial cystitis.
