Travelling can be fun and exciting. You get to see new places, meet new people, and try new foods. However, for some people with interstitial cystitis (I.C.), these experiences can be painful or uncomfortable. I.C. is an inflammatory condition of the bladder that causes pain and pressure around the urethra or in the pelvic region in both men and women at any age
What is interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition that causes pain, pressure and discomfort in the bladder. It’s not caused by an infection or bacteria, nor is it related to a physical injury to the bladder.
IC can occur at any age but most commonly affects women between 30 and 50 years of age. The exact cause of IC remains unclear but there are certain risk factors associated with developing this painful condition including:
- Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhoea
- Diabetes mellitus type 1
Causes of Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the bladder wall. It can affect anyone, but it’s more common in women than men, with symptoms coming on at any age.
IC is often thought to be caused by an irritant, such as bacteria or chemicals in the urine. However, recent research has shown that IC may be an autoimmune disease–a condition where your immune system attacks healthy tissue instead of fighting off infections and viruses like it should.
The exact cause of IC isn’t known, but researchers think there are many factors involved:
- Chronic bladder inflammation: The lining of your bladder becomes irritated and inflamed over time because of something you inhale (such as dust), drink (coffee), eat (spicy foods) or touch directly onto it (soap). This irritation makes you feel like you need to pee more often than usual when nothing really needs emptying out yet!
- Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB): When this happens too often without enough rest between trips outdoors into nature where there isn’t much shade available nearby…
Symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis
- Painful urination
- Pain in the bladder
- Pain in the pelvis
- Bladder spasms and pelvic pain during sex (dyspareunia) are also common symptoms of interstitial cystitis. If you have these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor because they could indicate a more serious condition such as sexually transmitted infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If left untreated, PID can lead to infertility or ectopic pregnancy–when an embryo grows outside of its mother’s womb.
How to Diagnose Interstitial Cystitis
- Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, including any related conditions you may have had in the past.
- They may also ask about any medications that you take, including birth control pills and hormone therapy drugs.
- You may be asked to give a urine sample so it can be analyzed for infection, blood and other substances that might be causing problems with urination. Your doctor might want to test the pH level of your urine as well as its color and odor (both of which can indicate an infection).
- If all of these tests come back negative or inconclusive, your doctor may recommend further testing like cystoscopy or bladder scan scans.
Treatments for Interstitial Cystitis
- Medications
- Surgery
- Lifestyle changes, such as an elimination diet and stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga or tai chi.
- Home remedies such as apple cider vinegar and bicarbonate of soda baths can help relieve pain and reduce symptoms in some cases. In severe cases, a doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics or corticosteroids (steroid tablets).
If you experience a lot of pain when you travel or have an active social life, it may be time to seek help for I.C.
If you experience a lot of pain when you travel or have an active social life, it may be time to seek help for I.C.
If you’re stressed out, traveling can make your symptoms worse. The same goes for having an active social life and drinking alcohol (which can irritate the bladder). If you’re overweight, this could also contribute to I.C., as well as other urinary tract infections like bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted disease).
Interstitial cystitis is a condition that can affect anyone, but it does tend to affect women more than men. If you have symptoms of interstitial cystitis and are planning on traveling soon, it’s important that you get help from your doctor or specialist before leaving so they can prescribe medications that will help ease pain and other symptoms during your trip.
