| Home > Site Map > Conditions > I > Interstitial cystitis |
| The classic symptoms include urinary frequency and pain above the pubic region. Urgency and pain intensity can vary greatly from patient to patient. No one is certain of the cause. Diagnosis & Tests As with urethral syndrome, many other more common urologic problems are diagnosed incorrectly before the proper diagnosis is made. Interstitial cystitis must be diagnosed with the use of the cystoscope, an instrument which can directly visualize the interior of the bladder. Treatment & Prevention While there are numerous treatments for IC there is no outright cure. Medical treatments for interstitial cystitis have included overstretching of the bladder with water, instillation of a dilute silver nitrate solution into the bladder, and steroid use. The list can be very long but some of the commonly mentioned ones include tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeinated and citrus beverages, high-acid foods and artificial sweeteners. In order to determine which (if any) of these foods may be aggravating your symptoms, you might try eliminating all of these foods for a week or two, and then reintroducing them one by one, at weekly intervals. |
| Alcohol Avoidance Alkalizing Agents/Diet DMSO Topically |