Interstitial cystitis
What is interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis is a medical condition characterized by pain and discomfort in the region of the bladder. These features are usually associated with urinary tract symptoms such as urinary frequency (polyuria), burning on urination (dysuria), and urgency. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms be present for more than six weeks in the absence of other causes. Interstitial cystitis is typically diagnosed around age 40 or later and is more common in women compared to men.
Patients with the disease tend to have coexisting pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. Individuals often suffer from decreased quality of life. Due to the importance of this condition, …show more content…
• Opiate pain medications (analgesics) may be used for short-term relief of disease flares and may include Codeine, Vicodin (hydromorphone-acetaminophen), or Percocet (hydrocodone-acetaminophen).
• Urinary analgesics may also be helpful and include Pyridium (phenazopyridine) and Hiprex (methenamine).
• Intravesical lidocaine – instillation of lidocaine with heparin into the bladder - is used for acute refractory pain episodes and is often performed in the clinic.
• Elavil (amitriptyline) is a tricyclic antidepressant that may be effective. Treatment with Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is an alternative to Elavil.
• Patients with refractory symptoms that have not responded to the aforementioned measures often require cystoscopy, distention of the bladder with water, and treatment of bladder lesions.
• Botox (botulinum toxin) injections are often considered in those that fail to respond to cystoscopy.
References:
1. Rovner E, Propert KJ, Brensinger C, et al. Treatments used in women with interstitial cystitis: the interstitial cystitis data base (ICDB) study experience. The Interstitial Cystitis Data Base Study Group. Urology 2000;
What is interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis is a medical condition characterized by pain and discomfort in the region of the bladder. These features are usually associated with urinary tract symptoms such as urinary frequency (polyuria), burning on urination (dysuria), and urgency. The diagnostic criteria require that symptoms be present for more than six weeks in the absence of other causes. Interstitial cystitis is typically diagnosed around age 40 or later and is more common in women compared to men.
Patients with the disease tend to have coexisting pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. Individuals often suffer from decreased quality of life. Due to the importance of this condition, …show more content…
• Opiate pain medications (analgesics) may be used for short-term relief of disease flares and may include Codeine, Vicodin (hydromorphone-acetaminophen), or Percocet (hydrocodone-acetaminophen).
• Urinary analgesics may also be helpful and include Pyridium (phenazopyridine) and Hiprex (methenamine).
• Intravesical lidocaine – instillation of lidocaine with heparin into the bladder - is used for acute refractory pain episodes and is often performed in the clinic.
• Elavil (amitriptyline) is a tricyclic antidepressant that may be effective. Treatment with Elmiron (pentosan polysulfate sodium) is an alternative to Elavil.
• Patients with refractory symptoms that have not responded to the aforementioned measures often require cystoscopy, distention of the bladder with water, and treatment of bladder lesions.
• Botox (botulinum toxin) injections are often considered in those that fail to respond to cystoscopy.
References:
1. Rovner E, Propert KJ, Brensinger C, et al. Treatments used in women with interstitial cystitis: the interstitial cystitis data base (ICDB) study experience. The Interstitial Cystitis Data Base Study Group. Urology 2000;