Understanding Your Treatment Options for Interstitial Cystitis

One of the diseases of a spectrum called painful bladder syndrome, interstitial cystitis creates chronic pain and urinary irregularities. Primarily affecting women, the disease has no cure, but there are treatment options that reduce the impact the condition has on your daily life. 

Our medical providers at Southeast Urogyn specialize in treating interstitial cystitis, which can be challenging, often requiring a unique combination of therapies to produce effective results. 

As a urogynecological medical practice, we have the leading-edge knowledge and technology to offer our patients relief from the symptoms that interstitial cystitis causes. 

Interstitial cystitis basics

The precise causes of interstitial cystitis aren’t known, but may be the result of a range of factors. These contributors could include: 

• Damage to the epithelial lining of bladder walls, allowing urine to irritate the walls directly
• Allergic reactions or infections that affect the bladder
• Neurological irregularities
• Genetic factors
• Autoimmune reactions

While not thought to be a cause of the disease, some foods trigger more severe symptoms in patients with interstitial cystitis. These foods and drinks include: 

• Alcohol
• Beverages with caffeine including coffee
• Carbonated beverages
• Chocolate
• Citrus fruit
• Foods rich in potassium
• Spicy foods
• Tomatoes

Interstitial cystitis often occurs in tandem with rheumatoid arthritis (an autoimmune disorder) and fibromyalgia (a neurological disease). 

Treatment options for interstitial cystitis

There’s not a simple, single treatment that eliminates the symptoms of cystitis. Treatments that help one patient don’t always have the same effect on others. Developing an effective treatment plan often requires a process of trial and error. 

Your first line of defense might be over-the-counter pain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and naproxen. We may prescribe stronger medications if consumer products fail to produce results. 

We may also turn to other drug classes that offer pain-relieving effects, including certain antidepressants, while antihistamines can sometimes reduce the urinary urge that often accompanies the disease. 

The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug pentosan specifically for the treatment of interstitial cystitis. It’s thought that the drug helps to restore the protective lining within the bladder. 

Physical therapy works for some patients, relieving pain through strengthened pelvic muscles and increased flexibility of pelvic connective tissue. Botox® injections may help reduce urinary incontinence, and Axionics® nerve stimulation also relieves these symptoms. 

The right answer for you may take time to discover, so call us at the nearest location of Southeast Urogyn to arrange a consultation. Jumpstart the relief and call today. Our offices are in Flowood and Madison, Mississippi.