Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammation of the bladder resulting in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. There is no test or cure for the disease, and available treatments to ease symptoms do not work for everyone.

However, scientists have found a toxin in the bladders’ of IC patients that may help in diagnosing and treating the condition.

Discomfort can range from mild pressure and tenderness to intense pain in the bladder and surrounding pelvic area. Symptoms vary from case to case but may include an urgent, frequent need to urinate. In severe cases of IC, an individual may urinate as many as 60 times a day with unrelenting pain. Recently, the Social Security Administration ruled IC incapacitating enough to legally render someone disabled.

IC is most common among younger women. It is estimated that 700,000 Americans have IC, 90 percent of whom are women. Often, women's symptoms get worse during menstruation.

Additionally, with IC the bladder wall may be irritated and become scarred or stiff. Recurrent irritation can result in pinpoint bleeding on the bladder wall known as glomerulations.

Sexual intercourse can also cause pain in people with IC.

The causes of IC are unknown and diagnosis is typically made after ruling out other infections and cancers and then stretching the bladder wall to look for signs of the illness.

However, with the discovery that the bladder cells of IC patients contain a toxin called APF, or antiproliferative factor, a faster urine test may be able to diagnose the condition.

According to scientists, APF appears to decrease levels of HB-EGF, a growth factor that helps to repair a damaged bladder lining. Not only could the toxin point to a possible cause of IC, but also the discovery suggests that bladder growth factor might be used in the treatment of IC. However, further testing is needed to prove the research.

Other potential treatments are also under development. One involves infusing BCG, a bacterium used as a tuberculosis vaccine, into the bladder. It seems that this process, which in itself can cause severe pain, causes cells in the bladder lining to die and new ones to grow. Another potential treatment involves a drug called RTX that may deaden bladder nerves that cause IC symptoms.

Additionally, scientists are considering using botulinum toxin, widely known as BOTOX®, to temporarily paralyze some of the bladder nerves.

Currently, treatments range from painkillers such as narcotics, to injecting more powerful drugs, including heparin and the solvent DMSO, directly into the bladder using a catheter.

Yahoo News March 24, 2003

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Interstitial cystitis is typically an inflammation in the lining of the bladder that often results in urinary frequency and quite disabling pelvic pain. It looks like a bacterial infection, but cultures are negative and the diagnosis is made by exclusion of other causes and typically requires a cystoscopy. I am always amazed at the innovative ways that traditional medicine comes up with to treat chronic conditions. I just shake my head in disbelief that so much energy and effort is wasted on destructive Band-Aids that at best treat symptoms and at worst do nothing to resolve the pain and cause permanent disability. However, there are simple and practical alternatives that result in dramatic improvement in this condition. Even though the traditional literature is fond of stating that diet doesn’t have an effect in IC, I have seen many women improve by changing their diets. Grains are frequently the culprit among women who have this problem and many find that eliminating grains and all sugars results in an enormous and rapid relief of their symptoms. It sure seems much easier to try some simple diet changes and follow the nutrition plan prior to consenting to the radical therapies discussed in the article. Fish oils will also likely be helpful as they are useful in normalizing inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. Carlson’s fish oil and cod liver oil are the best I have found, as they are lab tested and free of mercury and other toxins, and many patients have had health improvements with using these particular products. You may be able to find them in your local health food store--if not, you can find Carlson’s fish oil and cod liver oil in the Recommended Products section. Related Articles: For further information please review the National Institute of Health page on IC: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/urolog/pubs/cystitis/cystitis.htm