{"id":10183,"date":"2019-08-15T06:23:00","date_gmt":"2019-08-15T06:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=10183"},"modified":"2021-04-25T22:33:37","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T22:33:37","slug":"14-frequent-signs-of-interstitial-cystitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-frequent-signs-of-interstitial-cystitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Frequent Signs of Interstitial Cystitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Interstitial cystitis is an incurable condition that affects men and women alike. It is chronic, and while no cure is available as of yet, there are a number of treatments that can be used to alleviate the symptoms and ensure that the patients can still lead a happy life despite having the condition. There are many signs that could be indicative of interstitial cystitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Detecting the condition early on can make treatment easier and doctors will be able to get a jump start on it. Treating the condition during the first few stages will yield better results than only administering treatment in the later stages. Of course, how are you supposed to spot it early if you don\u2019t even know what to look for? Today we\u2019re going to show you some of the common signs that may occur when you have interstitial cystitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Chronic pelvic pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the most common signs that you would encounter when dealing with interstitial cystitis is chronic pelvic pain. After all, the condition causes chronic inflammation<\/a> of your bladder. It would be more surprising if you didn\u2019t have chronic pelvic pain despite suffering from interstitial cystitis. It\u2019s worth noting that various other conditions could also cause chronic pelvic pain thus jumping to conclusions based on this sign alone isn\u2019t wise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, urinary tract infections brought on by invasive bacteria could lead to similar symptoms that those with interstitial cystitis would face. Urinary tract infections are acute and won\u2019t last a lifetime, unlike interstitial cystitis. Any pelvic pain could be an indicator of an underlying problem and thus you should get it checked out with the doctor as soon as possible. Whether it turns out to be interstitial cystitis or another condition, treating it early will be a far easier experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. A persistent and strong urge to urinate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a persistent and strong urge to urinate then this could be indicative of interstitial cystitis<\/a>. You see, those who suffer from interstitial cystitis will notice an increase in the internal pressure within their bladder. As you can imagine, this increase in pressure can exacerbate the intensity of your urge to urinate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also make the urge more common as even lower levels of urine in your bladder may be detected as a severe overload. If you notice that the urge is not only near-constant but also more intense than usual then this may be indicative of interstitial cystitis. Other conditions can also lead to an increase in the frequency at which you urinate. One such symptom is diabetes. Getting a proper diagnosis will help you identify the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Pain during sexual intercourse<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While other symptoms such as a strong urge to urinate and chronic pelvic pain<\/a> can be more constant, they don\u2019t stack up to this symptom when it comes to how severely they disable the patient. Most patients who suffer from interstitial cystitis have said that the other symptoms of the condition are at least bearable with proper treatment, but that the pain they experience during sexual relations has put a significant strain on their marriage and all but killed their sex life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have even been some studies showing that patients with interstitial cystitis are more likely to be the victim of infidelity due to their inability to cover their spouse\u2019s needs. There are some treatments currently in development that may be able to relieve the pain over a long period of time even during sexual relations. Patients have said that if they could remove a single symptom, it\u2019d be this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. The sensation of burning during urination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Burning urine is never a good sign. Beyond the fact that it has been satirized as a common symptom of STDs, there are other conditions that could lead to this fiery pissing, so to speak. While it may seem like a \u201cmeme\u201d, there is actually a lot of evidence showing that STDs lead to a burning sensation during urination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chlamydia <\/a>and gonorrhea \u2014 two of the most common STDs in the world \u2014 have been known to make your pee burn. Urinary tract infections can also lead to a burning sensation whenever you void your bladder. That being said, if you don\u2019t have any STDs and the burning persists longer than a urinary tract infection, it may be the result of interstitial cystitis. A doctor will be able to confirm or deny your suspicions after running a few urine tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Hematuria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hematuria <\/a>may sound like a complicated medical condition, but really, it\u2019s just a fancy word that doctors use to describe the presence of blood in your urine. This is a common symptom of various diseases. Something as simple as kidney stones could actually lead to you pissing blood. Most kidney stones can also be passed through urination \u2014 effectively debunking the myth that blood in your pee is a death sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, some life-threatening conditions such as prostate cancer can indeed lead to the presence of blood in both your urine and sperm. This is especially true if it is accompanied by erectile dysfunction. Interstitial cystitis is another condition that might lead to the development of hematuria. If you do notice blood in your piss, even just a drop, then you should get yourself checked out immediately before the problem becomes more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Passing strong-smelling or cloudy urine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people panic if they notice a foul odor coming from their urine. You shouldn\u2019t ring the alarm bells though as there are many non-threatening causes for this. Some of the causes are even dietary. For instance, if you\u2019ve eaten a lot of asparagus lately then your urine is bound to smell bad. That being said, there are, in fact, some conditions that could make your pee smell bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Urinary tract infections<\/a> are often bacterial and thus may corrupt the odor of your urine. Interstitial cystitis has also been known to produce foul-smelling urine. Before you start self-diagnosing, you should try to recall whether or not you\u2019ve had asparagus recently so that you don\u2019t waste your time. That being said, if you haven\u2019t had any dietary changes, then you should go see if it\u2019s caused by interstitial cystitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Nausea and vomiting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the more unpleasant symptoms of interstitial cystitis is nausea <\/a>and eventually vomiting as well. As if constant pain in the pelvic area along with losing the ability to enjoy sexual encounters wasn\u2019t enough, interstitial cystitis throws another curveball at its patients. Nausea is one of the non-bladder symptoms that is produced as a result of interstitial cystitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over-the-counter medications are often used to treat nausea, but studies show that treating the underlying condition can also reduce both the frequency and severity of the vomiting. Food poisoning, infections, and pregnancy can also cause nausea so it\u2019s essential to get a proper diagnosis before you self-treat. Relying on a treatment plan for interstitial cystitis when you\u2019re actually dealing with food poisoning can lead to adverse results. You should always consult with your doctor when you notice symptoms and want to get rid of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Fever (often low-grade)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another sign that you might have interstitial cystitis is the presence of a fever<\/a>. That being said, unlike other conditions, the fevers associated with interstitial cystitis are often relatively low in severity. In contrast, conditions like pneumonia could lead to a very high fever accompanied by shaking and sweating. Some patients who don\u2019t know that they have interstitial cystitis may even think that their fever is the result of influenza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, the other symptoms that come with it should help doctors diagnose the actual problem. If you notice a low fever in conjunction with the other signs on this list then getting your bladder checked for interstitial cystitis would be wise. If it does turn out to be the root cause then you\u2019ll be glad that you caught it early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most patients who received early treatment describe that their symptoms are less severe in comparison to those who only started treating it later on due to late detection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Reduced Bladder Capacity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are experiencing the onset of IC find that they have less bladder capacity as the condition advances. The affected individual may struggle to hold in urine and may start to experience incontinence. Some patients with IC have a reduced bladder capacity, along with a strong need to void the bladder that does not go away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smaller bladder <\/a>capacity also increases the affected individual’s need to urinate throughout the day. Most people with normal bladder function urinate around 7-times a day, and once at night at most. However, people with IC may have two to three times more visits to the bathroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The affected individual may also feel pain when the bladder gets full. The pain may become severe as they urinate, and last till the patient voids the bladder. Some people affected by the disorder may experience this pain consistently, or it may come and go, depending on the severity of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Lower Quality of Life<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with the effects of IC find that it adversely affects their quality of life. Affected individuals require to remain close to the bathroom at all times. They may feel uncomfortable or feel anxious <\/a>about attending social events, like going to the movies, or to watch a live sporting event. Knowing that you will need to go to the bathroom twice during the event may cause a sense of embarrassment about your condition.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People may also develop a lack of productivity at work. The symptoms of urinary frequency and incontinence may result in the affected individual feeling embarrassed at their colleague\u2019s reaction to them needed to use the toilet so frequently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Going out for a trip onto public land may also be a problem, especially for women. Needing to use the bathroom between hiking trails can also lead to avoidance of anything to do with being out of the house for more than an hour or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Intimacy Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who develop IC run the risk of developing embarrassment and social fear about their situation. The incontinence symptoms associated with the advanced stages of the condition may interfere with the patient\u2019s ability to hold urine after urinating. As a result, they may get up leaking on their clothing, causing embarrassment in social settings, especially with a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The embarrassment of the situation may cause affected individuals to avoid intimate contact with others. As a result, they may experience strain on their sex life, as well as their relationships. Many patients find that they develop embarrassment over the situation, and this leads to a lower self-image, which can cause low libido in affected individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who are experiencing the effects of IC in their relationships should speak to a doctor for advice on strategies for dealing with the condition. Doctors may be able to offer medicines that help you cope with the conditions and improve the management of your symptoms<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Interrupted Sleep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As previously mentioned, people with a healthy bladder may find that they need to get up once during the night to urinate. This need to get up at night is not uncommon behavior, and men may need to get up twice a night as they get into their late forties and fifties. However, people who are suffering from the effects of IC may require three or more trips to the toilet over the course of one night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

IC increases the patient’s need to urinate, and they may need to visit the bathroom up to four times more in 24 hours, than healthy individuals. As a result, the patient may find that they are unable to get a good night\u2019s sleep. The symptoms of urgency may remain with the affected individual, even after they finish urinating and void the bladder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the urgency and frequency symptoms associated with the condition, the patient may start to develop a sleeping disorder. The patient may begin to notice the onset of insomnia<\/a>, where they battle to get back to sleep after waking up for the first time during the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Mental Health Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who are dealing with the effects of IC find that the symptoms of the condition make them start to feel a lower self-image of themselves. The embarrassment of the problems caused by the disorder means that they may withdraw from social settings, because of the fear of ridicule if they experience an accident in front of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the withdrawal and drop in self-esteem and self-image, the patient may start to notice the onset of depression symptoms. The patient may also develop symptoms of anxiety when out at social events. Depression <\/a>is a challenging health disorder affecting millions of Americans. The patient may require counseling with a clinical psychologist to help them overcome their fears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left unmanaged and untreated, the symptoms of ill-mental health may continue to increase unchecked, resulting in the patient developing a psychosis of their situation. They may refuse to venture outdoors in their comfort zone, and become withdrawn from all social activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As with any other medical disorder, there is a list of risk factors<\/a> that make some individuals more prone to developing IC than others. If you fall into the risk groups below and notice the symptoms of IC in your life, speak to your doctor for advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women experience a diagnosis of IC almost two times more often than in men. Men may experience similar symptoms to women regarding IC. Men may have an increase in frequency and urge to urinate as they reach over the age of 40-years old. However, this increase in urinary behavior occurs due to changes in the prostate gland in men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have Celtic or Northern European heritage are more likely to develop IC later in life. Most people who receive a diagnosis of IC are over the age of 30-years old. IC may also occur in people that are dealing with a chronic pain disorder, such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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