Interstitial Cystitis Overview and Definition

Interstitial Cystitis (IC), also commonly referred to as Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS), is a complex, chronic health condition characterized by persistent pressure and pain in the bladder and pelvic area. Unlike a standard urinary tract infection (UTI), which is caused by identifiable bacteria and can be cleared with a short course of antibiotics, IC is a long-term inflammatory condition of the bladder wall. The pain associated with IC can range from mild discomfort or a dull ache to intense, debilitating agony. For many patients, the sensation is described as a constant “burning” or a feeling of extreme “heaviness” in the lower abdomen. Because the symptoms of IC often mimic those of other conditions, it is frequently misunderstood, leading many individuals to suffer for years before receiving an accurate diagnosis.

The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine. In a healthy individual, the bladder expands until it is full and then sends a signal to the brain that it is time to urinate, communicating through the pelvic nerves. In people with Interstitial Cystitis, these signals become garbled. You may feel the need to urinate much more often and with smaller volumes of urine than most people. This is often due to a breakdown in the protective lining of the bladder, known as the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer. When this “mucus” layer is damaged, acidic or toxic substances in the urine can seep into the bladder wall, causing irritation, inflammation, and microscopic bleeding.