What is Interstitial Cystitis and Does It Cause Incontinence?
What is Interstitial Cystitis and Does It Cause Incontinence?
What is interstitial cystitis (IC) and how does it cause or relate to incontinence?
Interstitial cystitis is a painful bladder syndrome that is difficult to diagnose due to its various and often indeterminate causes. It is characterized by mild to severe pain and pressure when the bladder is full, along with inflammation of the bladder wall. This results in the symptoms of frequent and painful trips to the bathroom. The bladder inflammation in IC can result from any
one of several causes, including chemicals released from inflammation following an infection, nerve problems, a component in the patient’s urine damaging the bladder, bladder tissue irritation, or from the immune system attacking the bladder. This disease is not related to nor does it cause incontinence, which instead involves the involuntary release or leakage of urine.
Dr. Jennifer Berman, urologist and recurring co-host on “The Doctors,” has joined Depend.com to provide her insights into bladder leaks and related issues. She’ll be answering your questions here in our forums. If you have a question, please submit it in the comments and watch for the answer here in the next few weeks.
