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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffInterstitial cystitis — also called painful bladder syndrome — is a chronic condition characterized by a combination of uncomfortable bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pain in your pelvis, which can range from mild burning or discomfort to severe pain.
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 1 million Americans. While it can affect children and men, most of those affected are women. Interstitial cystitis can have a long-lasting adverse impact on your quality of life.
The severity of symptoms caused by interstitial cystitis often fluctuates, and some people may experience periods of remission. Although there's no treatment that reliably eliminates interstitial cystitis, a variety of medications and other therapies offer relief.
- Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/interstitialcystitis/. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Fitzgerald MP. Patient information: Painful bladder syndrome and interstitial cystitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Hanno PM. Painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis and related disorders. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/113536197-2/0/1445/13.html?tocnode=54300277&fromURL=13.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50012-1_840. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Evans RJ, et al. Current diagnosis of interstitial cystitis: An evolving paradigm. Urology. 2007;69(suppl):64.
- Fitzgerald MP. Patient information: Treatment of painful bladder syndrome and interstitial cystitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Moldwin RM, et al. Rational approaches to the treatment of patients with interstitial cystitis. Urology. 2007;69(suppl):73.
