To better understand interstitial cystitis (IC), it's helpful to have some knowledge of the urinary system and what might cause IC. Here's a short overview.
The Urinary System
The urinary system is composed of various organs, tubes, muscles and nerves that work together to create, store and carry urine.
The kidneys produce urine, a fluid containing irritating substances and natural waste products. From each kidney, the urine flows through a long thin tube called the ureter. From the ureters, the urine travels to the bladder.
The Bladder and Its Protective Layer
The bladder is an organ located in the pelvic area. It is a muscular sac responsible for storing and emptying urine. Since the bladder may store urine for several hours, it has a protective lining to shield its wall from the irritating waste products of the kidneys. This protective mucous lining is called the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) layer.
This layer is supposed to act as a barrier to keep the irritating substances of the urine away from the bladder wall and prevent them from leaking out of the bladder into the bloodstream.
Causes of IC
No one is 100% sure of what causes IC. But experts who study IC do have several theories to help explain why some people develop IC and others don't.
Some evidence points to irritating substances in the urine or damage to nerve cells along the bladder wall. Other evidence suggests that IC is caused by the body's own natural defense system turning on itself. Chronic pain in the bladder may also be aggravated by allergies. In some patients, symptoms may get worse when certain foods are eaten. Some experts also believe that the bladder's GAG layer has become thinned or is absent. A damaged GAG layer may allow irritating substances in the urine to aggravate the bladder wall and cause inflammation and pain.
Medical experts believe that many causes could actually be working together, resulting in the same set of painful symptoms common in IC. Fortunately, there's a growing awareness of IC.
If you do, in fact, have interstitial cystitis (IC) or think you might have IC, it's important to know that it's a treatable medical condition. And with your doctor's help, you can get your symptoms under control. Although there is no known cure for IC, there are treatment options that may bring relief—some more invasive than others. Talk to your doctor about the treatment option that's best for you.
Oral Therapy
Oral therapy is medication that you take by mouth. Typically, oral therapy is more convenient than intravesical therapy. ELMIRON® is the only oral medication that's FDA approved to treat the pain or discomfort of interstitial cystitis (IC). It's available by prescription only, and is a capsule you take 3 times a day (or as recommended by your doctor).
The longer you take ELMIRON®, the better it may work. So it's important to continue your treatment as directed by your doctor. And since symptom improvement is gradual, it's important to keep taking ELMIRON® as prescribed by your doctor. If you have not experienced symptom improvement by 6 months of therapy, you should talk to your doctor.
Learn more about using ELMIRON®.
The most common side effects were blood in stool, diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, headache, rash, upset stomach, abdominal pain, liver function abnormalities and dizziness. When side effects did occur, they were generally mild and usually did not interfere with continuing treatment.
Please read the ELMIRON® Important Safety Information.
Intravesical Therapy
A currently approved agent for intravesical therapy is DMSO. With intravesical therapy, medication is instilled directly into the bladder, so it's a bit more invasive than oral therapy.
In intravesical therapy for IC, the bladder is filled with a solution that is held for varying periods of time, ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, before it is emptied. This procedure is usually conducted in your doctor's office or a hospital setting, and usually with local anesthesia.
Temporary Relief
In addition to traditionally prescribed treatments for IC, some IC patients may find that they experience some degree of temporary symptom relief by making certain IC diet and lifestyle changes. Learn more about managing and living with IC.
What Not to Do
Because the symptoms of IC are like those of bladder infections, helpful friends may suggest the same treatments that they used for a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). Be careful — simple home remedies (such as cranberry juice or various herbs) used for UTIs may actually make your IC condition worse. Your best bet is to seek medical advice from your doctor.
The Urinary System
The urinary system is composed of various organs, tubes, muscles and nerves that work together to create, store and carry urine.
The kidneys produce urine, a fluid containing irritating substances and natural waste products. From each kidney, the urine flows through a long thin tube called the ureter. From the ureters, the urine travels to the bladder.
The Bladder and Its Protective Layer
The bladder is an organ located in the pelvic area. It is a muscular sac responsible for storing and emptying urine. Since the bladder may store urine for several hours, it has a protective lining to shield its wall from the irritating waste products of the kidneys. This protective mucous lining is called the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) layer.
This layer is supposed to act as a barrier to keep the irritating substances of the urine away from the bladder wall and prevent them from leaking out of the bladder into the bloodstream.
Causes of IC
No one is 100% sure of what causes IC. But experts who study IC do have several theories to help explain why some people develop IC and others don't.
Some evidence points to irritating substances in the urine or damage to nerve cells along the bladder wall. Other evidence suggests that IC is caused by the body's own natural defense system turning on itself. Chronic pain in the bladder may also be aggravated by allergies. In some patients, symptoms may get worse when certain foods are eaten. Some experts also believe that the bladder's GAG layer has become thinned or is absent. A damaged GAG layer may allow irritating substances in the urine to aggravate the bladder wall and cause inflammation and pain.
Medical experts believe that many causes could actually be working together, resulting in the same set of painful symptoms common in IC. Fortunately, there's a growing awareness of IC.
If you do, in fact, have interstitial cystitis (IC) or think you might have IC, it's important to know that it's a treatable medical condition. And with your doctor's help, you can get your symptoms under control. Although there is no known cure for IC, there are treatment options that may bring relief—some more invasive than others. Talk to your doctor about the treatment option that's best for you.
Oral Therapy
Oral therapy is medication that you take by mouth. Typically, oral therapy is more convenient than intravesical therapy. ELMIRON® is the only oral medication that's FDA approved to treat the pain or discomfort of interstitial cystitis (IC). It's available by prescription only, and is a capsule you take 3 times a day (or as recommended by your doctor).
The longer you take ELMIRON®, the better it may work. So it's important to continue your treatment as directed by your doctor. And since symptom improvement is gradual, it's important to keep taking ELMIRON® as prescribed by your doctor. If you have not experienced symptom improvement by 6 months of therapy, you should talk to your doctor.
Learn more about using ELMIRON®.
The most common side effects were blood in stool, diarrhea, nausea, hair loss, headache, rash, upset stomach, abdominal pain, liver function abnormalities and dizziness. When side effects did occur, they were generally mild and usually did not interfere with continuing treatment.
Please read the ELMIRON® Important Safety Information.
Intravesical Therapy
A currently approved agent for intravesical therapy is DMSO. With intravesical therapy, medication is instilled directly into the bladder, so it's a bit more invasive than oral therapy.
In intravesical therapy for IC, the bladder is filled with a solution that is held for varying periods of time, ranging from 15 to 60 minutes, before it is emptied. This procedure is usually conducted in your doctor's office or a hospital setting, and usually with local anesthesia.
Temporary Relief
In addition to traditionally prescribed treatments for IC, some IC patients may find that they experience some degree of temporary symptom relief by making certain IC diet and lifestyle changes. Learn more about managing and living with IC.
What Not to Do
Because the symptoms of IC are like those of bladder infections, helpful friends may suggest the same treatments that they used for a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI). Be careful — simple home remedies (such as cranberry juice or various herbs) used for UTIs may actually make your IC condition worse. Your best bet is to seek medical advice from your doctor.
If you've already been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC) or think you may have IC, it's easy to feel discouraged. But rest assured, IC is a treatable medical condition that can be improved over time.
In order to better manage your symptoms, there are 5 steps you can take towards improving your condition.
Understand your symptoms.
Having a clear understanding of your symptoms can lead to appropriate treatment.
Complete and print out the IC Self-Screener.
Answer a few questions about your symptoms to help you and your doctor come to a quicker diagnosis.
Schedule a specific doctor visit.
Since misdiagnosis of IC is common, the sooner you visit a doctor familiar with IC, the better. Urologists and obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) tend to be most familiar with IC, due to their specialized clinical experience.
Prepare for your visit.
Make the most of your doctor visit and be prepared to ask some questions about your symptoms and interstitial cystitis treatment options.
Track your IC Symptoms.
Keep a record of the severity and frequency of your symptoms, and see if any patterns exist over time.
Helpful IC Dietary Guidelines.
Since certain foods and drinks can trigger flare-ups of your IC symptoms, it is important to pay attention to your diet. Following these dietary guidelines may help you reduce flare-ups.
In order to better manage your symptoms, there are 5 steps you can take towards improving your condition.
Understand your symptoms.
Having a clear understanding of your symptoms can lead to appropriate treatment.
Complete and print out the IC Self-Screener.
Answer a few questions about your symptoms to help you and your doctor come to a quicker diagnosis.
Schedule a specific doctor visit.
Since misdiagnosis of IC is common, the sooner you visit a doctor familiar with IC, the better. Urologists and obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) tend to be most familiar with IC, due to their specialized clinical experience.
Prepare for your visit.
Make the most of your doctor visit and be prepared to ask some questions about your symptoms and interstitial cystitis treatment options.
Track your IC Symptoms.
Keep a record of the severity and frequency of your symptoms, and see if any patterns exist over time.
Helpful IC Dietary Guidelines.
Since certain foods and drinks can trigger flare-ups of your IC symptoms, it is important to pay attention to your diet. Following these dietary guidelines may help you reduce flare-ups.
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