Interstitial cystitis -- what is it?

Bladder inflammation: The bladder has several layers, starting from the lining, through the muscle to the serosa (outer lining). The "interstitium" is between the muscle bundles. An inflammation of this area, results in "cystitis". It does not mean an infections, but it often is.

Painful Bladder: Ic is a condition that has multiple symptoms. Most common symptoms are frequent urination, urinary urgency and pain in the bladder and pelvic area. There is no definitive test to diagnose ic, but there is usually inflammation of the lining of the bladder that produces the symptoms. Treatments include dietary changes, medication, and possibly bladder instillation of various compounds.

Autonomic Disorder: Interstitial Cystitis, IC, as Dr. Villa stated.  I had two patients with IC, both w. sacroiliac joint, SIJ, hypermobility & chronic low back pain. After SIJ fusion symptoms resolved. Medical literatures states that 10-30% persons w. chronic low back pain have non-inflammatory primary SIJ disorder. I posit that IC is caused by SIJ laxity & pelvic presacral plexus parasympathetic irritation.

Pathologic lesion: There are distinctive anatomic changes in the vessels and mast cells in the bladder, going deep into its wall. We pathologists have been slower to understand and charaterize these than we have with other lesions, and we hope that eventually this puzzling disorder can be explained and some effective treatment found.

IC/Bladder Pain : Interstitial cystitis is also now referred to as bladder pain syndrome. There is a decrease in, or absence of, a 'slime layer' in the bladder, which normally protects the bladder from being irritated by urine. It can be diagnosed in several ways. For most people, using a bladder pain questionnaire is a good start. A cystoscopy may show glomerulations (bleeding) or in advanced ic, hunner ulcers.

Lining breakdown: It is a condition thought to be caused from the breakdown of the gag layer in the bladder. It is associated with frequency and pain in the bladder.

Trigger points!!: This is a new look at an old idea. Janet g. Travell, md a pain pioneer concluded that chronic tissue pain was caused by numerous trigger points in muscle fibers causing the muscles to contract compressing nerves, vessels and alter the flow of lymphatics. The pyramidalis and pelvic floor muscles are the cause. So this is a mechanical cause and requires a manual treatment. Acupuncture! see files.