INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS OR PAINFUL BLADDER SYNDROME

WHAT IS INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS OR PAINFUL BLADDER SYNDROME?

Chronic inflammation of the bladder causing pain, urgency and frequency.

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HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

An office procedure called a potassium sensitivity test may be performed. If surgery is scheduled for suspicion or to rule out other causes of pelvic pain, a concomitant procedure is performed where a camera is placed into the bladder to evaluate for signs of interstitial cystitis.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

The surgical procedure of over distending the bladder with fluid to diagnose interstitial cystitis can be therapeutic as well. Usually, medication treatment with Elmiron is initiated to help treat the symptoms after the diagnosis. If symptoms do not improve, instillation of the medication Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) into the bladder may be helpful.