Reducing the Pain of Interstitial Cystitis with Stem Cell Therapy
What is interstitial cystitis ?
Generally abbreviated as IC, and sometimes called painful bladder syndrome, interstitial cystitis is a painful condition that affects the bladder. It can cause pain and swelling, but it can also be difficult to diagnose, as the full range of symptoms is very wide. The condition can also present with a host of severities, and individual situations can escalate quickly. IC is a painful condition in which the bladder may feel under pressure, or the patient may experience bladder pain. In some cases, the patient may experience pain radiating throughout the pelvis. Interstitial cystitis involves the mixing of the normal signals the bladder uses to tell the brain it is full and must be emptied.
Generally, the expansion of the bladder with urine triggers a signal sent from the bladder to the brain that we interpret as the urge to urinate. However, patients with IC feel that urge much more frequently, often with little or no urine in the bladder. In some cases, the urge can be incredibly painful.
What Are the Symptoms of IC?
Patients suffering with interstitial cystitis may experience any of a wide range of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include pain in the bladder and the frequent, often intense, urge to urinate. Pelvic pain is also a common symptom.
Because IC is more commonly seen in women, pain between the vagina and anus is a commonly reported symptom. Other symptoms can include pain while the bladder fills, although without the urge to urinate until the bladder is full. Pain during sex is also a possible symptom, as is frequent urination (with or without much volume).
What Causes IC?
The exact cause of interstitial cystitis is not known. However, there are quite a few potential contributing factors. Most people who suffer from IC also have a defect in the lining of the bladder that may allow toxins within urine to irritate the bladder wall itself. There are also potential autoimmune factors, and allergies may also play a role.
Individuals with fair skin and red hair are at a higher risk for developing the condition, and women in general are more likely to develop IC than are men. In addition, those with other chronic pain/inflammatory conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, are at a greater risk.
How Can IC Be Treated?
There is currently no cure for interstitial cystitis, and the treatment options vary in terms of effectiveness. Physical therapy (training pelvic muscles) may work for some patients, but for others, the only solution is to take a prescription medication, such as hydroxyzine, pentosane, or amitriptyline. However, stem cell therapy is an emerging option that should be considered.
How Can Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy Help?
Regenerative Stem cell therapy has shown significant potential in treating a wide range of conditions in which inflammation is one of the major underlying factors. This includes interstitial cystitis.
Regenerative Stem cell treatment can significantly attenuated the irregular and decreased voiding and not only reduces symptoms but can improve the thickness and coverage of the bladder’s lining and to improve overall bladder health.