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- Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a chronic inflammatory condition
- of the bladder wall that often goes undiagnosed.
- More than 700,000 Americans have IC, 90% are women.
- IC is frequently misdiagnosed as an acute urinary tract infection.
- Symptoms include:
- Bladder pain
- Urinary urgency
- Day and night frequency (up to 60 times per day)
- Suprapubic or perineal pain and pressure
- Painful sexual intercourse
- The cause is unknown and no treatment is uniformly effective for everyone.
- The vast majority of patients can find pain relief.
- A cystoscopy with hydrodistention under general anesthesia is required to diagnose IC.
- IC treatment options include dietmodification, physical therapy, oral medication, intravesical instillation therapy, and surgery.
- Complete diagnosis and treatment of IC is available through the Alliance Bladder Control & Pelvic Pain Center.
For more information on interstitial cystitis, contact our practice at 336-274-1114 or go to www.ichelp.org or www.allaboutic.com.
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