Chronic pain or constant pressure in your bladder or pelvic area could be a sign that you are suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC). According to the Interstitial Cystitis Association, it is a form of bladder pain syndrome (BPS) that affects as many as 4 -12 million people.
At Urology of Greater Atlanta, the team of board-certified urologists has the expertise to diagnose and treat this painful condition accurately. It is important that you get a professional diagnosis, as it is often confused with a urinary tract infection. Call us or request an appointment online today for an IC consultation.
Understanding Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial Cystitis (also known as painful bladder syndrome) is a chronic condition characterized by bladder pressure, bladder pain, and sometimes pelvic pain. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain and can significantly affect the quality of life.
Symptoms of interstitial cystitis can vary over time. Triggers such as menstruation, sitting for a long time, stress, exercise, and sexual activity are known to worsen symptoms. When getting a diagnosis for interstitial cystitis, your doctor will rule out other causes of urinary urgency and pain, such as urinary tract infections, bladder cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and kidney stones.
How Interstitial Cystitis is Treated
While there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, treatment aims to reduce bladder pain and pelvic pain and reduce inflammation. Your healthcare provider may use different approaches to provide symptom relief. These may include oral medications, physical therapy, nerve stimulation, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and bladder instillations.
To perform a bladder instillation, your provider will insert a tube called a catheter into your bladder through your urethra and slowly add a liquid that will ease the irritation of the bladder wall.
Expert urologists will use medications when lifestyle changes, such as bladder training or an interstitial cystitis diet plan, are not enough to reduce interstitial cystitis symptoms. In most cases, a combination of both methods will provide adequate symptom control.
This article will focus on oral medications that can be used to treat interstitial cystitis. To find out more about bladder instillations, see our other article, which gives more details.
Oral Medications Used to Treat Interstitial Cystitis
Oral interstitial cystitis medication to help control symptoms include the following:
Painkillers
If you have mild to moderate pain, over-the-counter medications can help relieve pain. You could try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or aspirin.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines help reduce bladder inflammation as well as nighttime voiding and urinary frequency. Antihistamines include medications such as hydroxyzine (VistarilⓇ or AtaraxⓇ). They work by blocking the mast cells’ release of histamine, which contributes to inflammation in the bladder. Antihistamines are usually best to take at bedtime because they can cause drowsiness.
Tricyclic Antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants are the most common medication prescribed for interstitial cystitis. Given in small doses, they help relax the bladder and reduce the release of neurochemicals that cause bladder pain and inflammation. The medication may also improve sleep.
Pentosan Polysulfate Sodium (Elmironⓡ)
ElmironⓇ is the only oral drug that the FDA approves for the specific purpose of treating interstitial cystitis. It helps by improving the bladder lining. Improvements may not be fully seen until 3 to 6 months. However, this medication has some rare side effects, including reversible hair loss, nausea, diarrhea, and rash.
Book a Consultation Today
Don’t let IC symptoms dictate your life. Make an appointment to consult with the talented team at Urology of Greater Atlanta by calling the practice or booking online. At Urology of Greater Atlanta, we have helped many women through Greater Atlanta manage or overcome interstitial cystitis.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your treatment could be as simple as changing your dietary habits or taking medication. So don’t hesitate to speak to us today!
