Content
Painful Bladder Syndrome, also known as interstitial cystitis, is characterized by chronic inflammation of the bladder wall, which can cause symptoms such as pelvic pain, urgency to urinate, increased urination and pain during sex.
This syndrome can be caused by infections, autoimmune diseases or other conditions, and treatment usually consists of the use of medications, changes in diet and lifestyle and the adoption of certain measures. In more rare cases, surgery may be necessary.
What symptoms
Symptoms that may occur in people with painful bladder syndrome are pelvic pain, urgency to urinate, increased urination, and the need to wake up at night to urinate. In some cases, the woman may also experience pain during intercourse and pain in the vagina, worsening during the menstrual period, and in men there may be pain or discomfort in the penis and scrotum.
Possible causes
The causes of this syndrome are not yet known, but it is thought that it may be related to the development of bacterial infections, which is one of the main causes, autoimmune diseases, neurogenic inflammation and altered epithelial permeability.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for painful bladder syndrome consists of altering poor eating habits, which can contribute to mitigate symptoms that are triggered by very acid, spicy and potassium-rich foods. In addition, the practice of physical exercise, the reduction of stress, the realization of hot baths, the reduction of caffeine, alcoholic beverages and the use of cigarettes also contribute to mitigate the symptoms.
Physiotherapy can help to relax the pelvic floor muscles in people suffering from spasms.
Pharmacological treatment may consist of using some of the following medications:
- Non-steroidal analgesics and anti-inflammatories and, in more severe cases or when the person cannot take NSAIDs, the doctor may prescribe opioids to relieve pain;
- Dimethylsulfoxide, which can be applied directly to the bladder;
- Hyaluronic acid, which is used in order to restore the protective barrier of the tissue that covers a large part of the urinary tract;
- Amitriptyline, which is an effective tricyclic antidepressant in the treatment of chronic pain;
- Cimetidine, which also helps to relieve symptoms;
- Hydroxyzine or other antihistamine, used when the inflammation is of an allergic cause;
- Pentosan sodium polysulfate, which acts to restore the layer of glycosaminoglycans.
Ultimately, if none of these treatment options are effective, surgery may be necessary.