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Information About Interstitial Cystitis
People living with interstitial cystitis (IC) have an inflamed or irritated bladder wall. This can lead to:
- Scarring and stiffening of the bladder
- Less bladder capacity
- Pinpoint bleeding in the bladder lining.
Symptoms may include:
- Discomfort, pressure, tenderness, or intense pain in the bladder and surrounding pelvic area
- An urgent and frequent need to urinate -- both day and night
- Reduced bladder capacity.
Interstitial cystitis currently has no cure. However, treatments are available to help minimize symptoms. Among the common treatment options are bladder distention, bladder instillation, oral medications, and dietary changes.
(Click Interstitial Cystitis for more information about this chronic condition and its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD