The Prognosis of Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a condition characterized by discomfort or pain in the bladder or the surrounding area. The prognosis, or outlook, for the disorder varies widely according to a number of different factors.

The Facts

• Internal cystitis is incurable, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Doctors have not found a single treatment method that works in all cases, and successful treatment may require significant experimentation.

Treatments

• Treatments for internal cystitis typically aim at controlling or diminishing symptoms, reports the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. A given treatment may lose effectiveness over time, and switching of treatments is common.

Symptom Reduction

• For some individuals, dietary and physical modifications may bring significant symptom reductions, according to the NKUDIC. Others may require the use of medications including the internal cystitis drug Elmiron and tricyclic antidepressants, or surgery.

Considerations

• The NKUDIC notes that interstitial cystitis symptoms may disappear with or without treatment for a period lasting from days to years.

Improved Outcomes

• The NKUDIC reports that individuals who join internal cystitis support groups, actively engage in their own care and educate themselves about the disorder typically have improved overall outcomes.