Smoking & Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a condition characterized by pressure and pain in the bladder and surrounding pelvic area. The pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe. Around 1 million people suffer from this health condition in the United States alone.

Symptoms

• The signs of interstitial cystitis vary from one person to another. Symptoms may also vary according to how long a person has been suffering from this condition. Signs include a persistent and frequent need to urinate, often in small amounts. Another symptom is pain in the pelvis (or the area between the anus and scrotum in men, and anus and vagina in women). The intensity of the pain may change depending on the severity of the condition. Men who are suffering from this condition may have pain when ejaculating, while women may suffer from painful sexual intercourse.

Causes

• The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) says interstitial cystitis can also be caused by an underlying medical condition. Those who acquire interstitial cystitis have a likely defect in the bladder or are suffering from other conditions such as fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome. Studies are continually being conducted to determine whether heredity is associated with interstitial cystitis.

Smoking and Interstitial Cystitis

• As with many diseases, smoking may worsen the condition of a person with interstitial cystitis. The NKUDIC says that smoking may cause it to lead to more complicated diseases such as bladder cancer.

  Bladder pain was found to be significantly associated with smoking by researchers from the obstetrics and gynecology department at the University of Iowa's Carver College of Medicine. However, because the research was based on a survey, it does not present scientific support for a link between smoking and painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis. In fact, the NKUDIC explains, there is no scientific evidence showing that smoking can cause interstitial cystitis.

Treatment

• There is no specific cure for interstitial cystitis, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Treatments, however, can help lessen the pain that the condition brings. Treatments include oral medicines, electrical nerve stimulation, surgery and distention or inflation of the bladder.

Considerations

• WebMD recommends a change in diet for those suffering from interstitial cystitis. You may avoid the intake of caffeinated drinks, citrus drinks, food with artificial sugar, and alcohol. You may also start paying attention to any kind of food that triggers pain in your bladder. Stretching and exercising can relax the pelvic floor and provide pain relief.