What does IC mean in HOSPITALS

Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is an inflammatory bladder syndrome which leads to pelvic pain, pressure and discomfort in the bladder area. It can also cause urinary urgency, frequency and nocturia. IC affects both men and women of all ages and can be a chronic condition with severely disruptive symptoms.

The main symptoms of IC are pain in the bladder area as well as urgency, frequency and sometimes nocturia. Other symptoms may include painful sexual intercourse, lower back pain or abdominal cramps.

To diagnose IC, your doctor may refer you for further tests such as a cystoscopy or hydrodistention. These tests look at the wall of the bladder to check for signs of inflammation or ulceration which could suggest interstitial cystitis.

Treatment for IC usually involves lifestyle changes such as avoiding acidic foods, limiting caffeine intake and drinking plenty of water. Medications such as antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants and anticholinergics can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with interstitial cystitis.

Common triggers for worsening IC symptoms include stress, spicy foods, certain medications and beverages containing caffeine or alcohol. Additionally, cold winter temperatures may make symptoms worse due to increased spasms in the bladder caused by these temperatures.

Unfortunately there is no one set way to prevent flares ups however it’s important to keep a “bladder diary” when tracking your urinary frequency patterns so that you know what activities trigger a flare up. Additionally avoiding certain trigger factors such as caffeine will help reduce risk of a flare up.

Yes! Low impact exercises such as walking or swimming have been shown to improve pelvic floor muscle strength which helps manage pelvic pressure associated with interstitial cystitis.Additionally low impact exercising provides relief from stress can help reduce anxiety which has been linked to exacerbating symptom severity.