By Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition characterized by pelvic pain, increased urinary frequency, and urgency. Those who suffer from this condition understand how debilitating it can be, causing disruptions in daily activities and overall quality of life. While there is no known cure for interstitial cystitis, there are numerous strategies that can be implemented to manage symptoms and provide relief. urologist doctor near me offer treatment options that have proven to be helpful in the management of interstitial cystitis.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic condition that causes pain or discomfort in your bladder. It’s also known as painful bladder syndrome, or PBS.
If you have IC/PBS, it means that there are problems with how your bladder works. The most common symptoms of IC/PBS include:
- Pain in your lower abdomen or pelvis when you pee.
- A frequent need to urinate–sometimes as often as every 10 minutes–even if your bladder isn’t full.
- A burning feeling when you urinate.
Lifestyle Strategies for Relief
- Dietary changes. Reducing the amount of refined sugar and processed foods in your diet can help reduce inflammation, which may help with IC/PBS symptoms.
- Stress management techniques such as meditation or yoga can help you relax and reduce stress levels, which may also help with pain symptoms associated with IC/PBS.
- Regular exercise can improve overall health and fitness.
Medication Strategies for Relief
If you are experiencing symptoms of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, medication can be an important part of your treatment plan.
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications: These include acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). These drugs are available without a prescription at most pharmacies and grocery stores.
- Prescription medications: Your doctor might prescribe one or more of these if you need stronger pain relief than what’s available in over-the-counter drugs alone:
Bladder Retraining for Relief
Bladder retraining is a technique that can help you learn to recognize the urge to urinate and gradually increase the time between bathroom visits. The goal of bladder retraining is to reduce your total daily fluid intake so that you pass more urine at each voiding, thus reducing pressure on your bladder wall.
Surgery for Relief
Surgery is a last resort for IC/BPS. It’s usually only recommended when other treatments have failed to provide relief and you’re experiencing severe symptoms. Surgeries include:
- Bladder augmentation
- Artificial sphincter implantation
Managing interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome can be challenging, but it is possible to find relief by taking a combination of medical and self-care approaches. While medication can be helpful in relieving the symptoms of the condition, lifestyle changes and self-care practices such as relaxation techniques, pelvic floor exercises, and bladder retraining can go a long way in reducing discomfort and improving overall quality of life.
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