Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition of the urinary bladder also known as painful bladder condition or bladder pain syndrome. Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder and interstitial means “between layers.” It is described as a long-term inflammatory disorder of the mucosal and sub-mucosal layers of the bladder that results in persistent pain or discomfort, increased frequency of urination, and urgency to urinate. Interstitial cystitis exhibits many of the same signs and symptoms as urethritis, prostatitis, urinary tract infections, and other bacterial infections of the urinary system. Females are more likely than males to have interstitial cystitis, and middle-aged persons are more likely to develop it.

Introduction:

Interstitial cystitis (IC), commonly referred to as painful bladder syndrome, which is is a disorder in which the bladder’s muscle layer experiences ongoing inflammation, leading to symptoms like persistent bladder pain/pressure and pelvic pain. The goal of homeopathic treatments for interstitial cystitis is to control the current symptoms and halt the condition’s progression. Before it is expelled from the body, urine from the kidneys is stored in the urinary bladder, a muscular sac. The urine bladder swells to its fullest capacity when it is fully filled. Following that, the urinary tract and the brain communicate via nerve signals. As a result, the outer sphincter of the bladder relaxes and the bladder muscles contract, resulting in an urge to urinate and the discharge of urine. Infections of the bladder wall caused by interstitial cystitis can cause scarring and rigidity of the bladder. Because of this, the bladder can no longer store as much urine as it once could. Even modest amounts of pee produce a frequent urge to urinate in this situation.

Causes:

The bladder can expand like a balloon, and when it is full, we can micturize and feel the pressure, but for some reason, the bladder cannot contain the urine. It is unclear why this function is lost, however, it may be because of an autoimmune reaction in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the bladder cells. The presence of additional auto-immune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. among individuals with bps lends support to this notion. Other factors that contribute to interstitial cystitis include pelvic floor muscular dysfunction, persistent bladder inflammation, and trauma or injury to the bladder, spinal cord, or pelvic floor muscles. Some people lose the flexibility of their bladder muscles as they age or overstretch their bladders, which reduces their sensitivity to nerve stimulation.

Symptoms:

Its symptoms include urgency to urinate, an insatiable desire to pass urine, frequent peeing day and night with small amounts of urine (urine may pass as frequently as 50 to 60 times per day), pain (that can be minor discomfort, blazing or sharp pain), pressure in the pelvis, and pain in the lower abdomen. Other signs and symptoms may include painful or scorching urination, pain during coition (sexual activity), and involuntary urine passage. If a person with this illness additionally develops a UTI (urinary tract infection), these symptoms may worsen and intensify. One person’s daily symptom intensity fluctuates, and there may be times (the “remission period”) when no symptoms are present. Women may also have pain in the vulva, vagina, and perineum. Men may also have pain in the scrotum, testicles, and perineum.

Diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis:

• Urine culture and urine analysis
• bladder extension: In order to expand out your bladder, it is filled with liquid or gas. Under anesthesia, you will be dozing off. This is occasionally applied as a remedy. Cystoscopy is used to do this.
• Culture of prostate fluid in men: In order to take a sample for testing, the healthcare provider must apply pressure on your prostate. This is not a typical practice.
• Medical background and bladder journal: Your doctor might request you to maintain a bladder diary, in which you record the number of fluids you consume and the amount of urine you pass, as well as describe your symptoms.
• Biopsy: Your doctor may take a tissue sample (biopsy) from the bladder and urethra during an anesthetic cystoscopy so it can be examined under a microscope. This is done to look for bladder cancer and other uncommon bladder pain causes.

Homeopathic Treatment for Interstitial Cystitis:

The homeopathic system of medicine has a lot of potential for treating interstitial cystitis situations. It successfully treats symptoms including the need to urinate, frequent urination, painful or burning urination, discomfort during sexual activity, pain in the vulva or vagina in females, and pain in the scrotum or testicles in males. With the help of these medications, the severity and frequency of the symptoms gradually decrease. Because they are made from naturally occurring substances, homeopathic medicines used to treat it are extremely safe and have no negative side effects.

• Equisetum – For Lower Abdominal and Bladder Heaviness/Pain
• Lycopodium: For Constant Urination, Weight Gain, and Bladder Pain
• Merc Sol – For Frequent Urination with Marked Urgency Belladonna – For Bladder Pain
• Thuja – To Deal with Painful Intercourse, Pelvic and Vaginal Pain
• Sepia – To Manage Urgency to Pass Urine
• Clematis – For Men to Control Testicular Pain
• Cantharis – For Urination That Is Painful or Burning
• Regarding burning at the conclusion of urination, use Apis Mellifica
• For Pain During Coitus in Males Causticum, Argentum Nitricum Incontinence of the Urinary System

Precautions:

• Drink a lot of water
• Avoid caffeine-containing beverages since they might cause bladder irritation, causing you to urinate more frequently than usual.
• Put on loose-fitting, cotton clothing.