The bladder is an essential component of the urinary tract that allows for the excretion of urine.
This round organ is susceptible to being damaged and suffering from various complications. A common complication that can develop in the bladder is interstitial cystitis, which causes a wide range of symptoms to occur as well. When you believe that you’re affected by interstitial cystitis, you should make an appointment with the best urologist in California to make sure that the treatment you obtain is effective.
What Does Interstitial Cystitis Refer To?
This is a long-term health condition that results in the development of bladder pain and bladder pressure as well as possible pelvic pain. The pain that you experience when suffering from this condition can range from mild to severe. When the bladder is functioning properly, it will expand until it becomes full with urine. Once the bladder is full, it signals the brain that it’s time to urinate, which occurs with the pelvic nerves. The brain then creates the urge to urinate.
When someone is suffering from interstitial cystitis, these signals don’t work properly. Instead, the affected individual will feel like they need to urinate more often and in much smaller amounts than is normal. Severe cases of interstitial cystitis can cause a deterioration in a person’s quality of life.
Main Symptoms of This Condition
The symptoms attributed to this condition can vary substantially and will oftentimes be triggered by everything from stress to menstruation. The pain that you experience may be centered around the pelvic region. You might also suffer from pain during intercourse or while the bladder is filling, the latter of which means that relief from this pain only occurs when you empty the bladder. Your need to urinate will be persistent and frequent. It’s possible for some individuals who suffer from interstitial cystitis to urinate as many as 60 times per day. The symptoms that you go through are similar to those of a urinary tract infection. If these symptoms become too severe, schedule an appointment with the best urologist in California.
Causes and Risk Factors of Interstitial Cystitis
While the cause of this condition isn’t currently known, there are numerous risk factors that will heighten the possibility that you eventually develop interstitial cystitis. It’s possible that the protective lining of your bladder has become defective, which could cause a leak. When this leak occurs, the toxic substances in your urine could irritate the wall of your bladder and cause this condition to develop. Additional risk factors to keep in mind include suffering from a chronic pain disorder, being at least 30 years of age, and having fair skin or red hair.
Treatments Available From the Best Urologist in California
Interstitial cystitis cannot be fully cured, which is why treatment centers around providing relief from the primary symptoms. The oral medications that you might be prescribed with include antihistamines, certain antidepressants, and specific anti-inflammatory drugs. Nerve stimulation can also be applied to relieve the pain and lessen the frequency of urination. All of these treatments can be administered by the best urologist in California.