Autoimmune interstitial cystitis is a chronic medical condition that affects the bladder of the urinary system in the body. Based on statistical data obtained from medical doctors in the United States, it has been established that approximately one million individuals in the nation suffer from this condition.
Individuals that suffer from this particular medical condition often suffer from a high level of discomfort during the day as well as at night. The average adult experiences the need to urinate ten times or less within a twenty-four hour period.
The individual that suffers from autoimmune interstitial cystitis or “IC” may experience the need to relieve themselves up to sixty times within a twenty four hour time frame. In this medical guide, you will be introduced to important facts pertaining to this urinary system problem.
Autoimmune Interstitial Cystitis Explained
Autoimmune interstitial cystitis is often referred to as “Painful Bladder Syndrome” or “PBS”. The symptoms have been found to be quite similar to those that are experienced if a urinary tract infection is experienced. The difference between this condition and that of a urinary tract infection is that the interstitial cystitis is not caused by bacterium.
As a result, treatment with antibiotics is considered to be completely ineffective. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this condition, but there are many different types of treatments that are considered to be appropriate for soothing the symptoms associated with the condition.
Autoimmune interstitial cystitis is a chronic based inflammation of the bladder within the urinary system of the body. This condition results in chronic pain and a high level of discomfort in the body – especially the pelvic region of the body. The bladder is an organ that serves to store urine that is created by the kidneys.
As the urine collects in the bladder, the walls of the organ expand. When an individual has this particular urinary system problem, the lining of the walls on the inside of the bladder experiences a type of scarring.
The scar tissue that accumulates in the bladder actually reduces the organ’s ability to expand as it collects urine from the kidneys. In nine of ten cases that are evaluated, ulcers and sores are discovered on the internal walls of the bladder. Naturally, these sores result in bleeding and extreme degrees of pain in the sufferer.
Causes
Medical professionals have been unable to pinpoint one specific cause for autoimmune interstitial cystitis but there are many theories surrounding the reasons why a person may develop this urological disorder. The following represents some of the most commonly agreed on theories in the medical community:
– Many believe that there could be some type of defect in the lining of the bladder that could allow substances that are considered to be potentially harmful to enter into the bladder. Once inside this storage organ, it is believed that the substances damage the internal wall within the organ.
– It is theorized that the immune system of the body becomes confused and it causes the body to attack the organs and tissues that are considered to be healthy. In the case of interstitial cystitis, it is believed that the immune system literally attacks the bladder.
– There are substances in the body that are referred to as “histamine” and an assortment of other chemical varieties that the body uses to protect itself from various types of allergies. Many medical professionals believe that the body may produce too much of these chemicals and as a result, damage is done to the bladder.
– There are nerve receptors located within the walls of the bladder. When the bladder expands and becomes full, the receptors send signals to the brain so that the individual knows that it is time to empty the bladder. Many medical professionals theorize that there could be complications such as dysfunction associated with these nerve receptors.
– Many medical professionals have also theorized that this particular medical condition could be a direct result of an infection or an injury that occurs in the urinary system – particularly in the bladder.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis. The following are among the most commonly experienced:
– Many individuals find that they experience pain in the pelvic region of the body. In many instances pain may be felt in an area that is identified by medical professionals as the “perineum”. This is the section between the anal area and the scrotum in men and the anal region and the vagina in women.
– Most that suffer from this condition will experience an increased need to urinate throughout the day.
– Many women will experience an intense degree of pain when they are on their menstrual cycle if they suffer from this urinary system problem.
– Many women and men alike may discover that they experience pain when engaging in sexual activities – particularly sexual intercourse.
– Many individuals may feel as if they need to urinate in an urgent manner but once they engage in eliminating fluid from the body, only a small amount is present.