What is Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis (in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis) is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain.

The pain ranges from mild discomfort to extremely intense pain. IC is a part of a spectrum of diseases known as painful bladder syndrome.

Your bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine.

The bladder expands until it’s full and then signals your brain that it’s time to urinate, communicating through the pelvic nerves. This creates the urge to urinate for most people.

Your bladder, kidneys, ureters and urethra make up your urinary system. When you have interstitial cystitis, the walls of your bladder become irritated and inflamed, compared with those of a normal bladder.

With interstitial cystitis, these signals get mixed up — you feel the need to urinate more often and with smaller volumes of urine than most people.

Interstitial cystitis most often affects women and can have a long-lasting impact on quality of life.

Although there’s no cure, medications, an altered diet and other therapies may offer relief.

Is Interstitial Cystitis related to other inflammatory conditions?

This condition involves the inflammation and irritation of the bladder walls, which results in abnormal signals being sent to the brain, causing a frequent urge to urinate with smaller volumes of urine.

It primarily affects women and can have a significant and enduring effect on their quality of life.

While there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, there are various medications and therapies available that can provide relief.

The IC diet has also shown to be quite effective at managing flare-ups.

Is Interstitial Cystitis an Inflammatory Condition?

Interstitial cystitis (IC), also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the bladder.

While the exact cause of IC is unknown, it is believed to involve a complex interplay of factors, including inflammation.

In terms of its relationship to other inflammatory conditions, IC has been associated with various disorders, suggesting potential connections.

Some of these conditions include:

• • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Studies have found a higher prevalence of IBS among individuals with IC, implying a possible link between these two conditions. Both IC and IBS involve chronic inflammation and may share common underlying mechanisms.

• • Fibromyalgia: There is evidence of an association between IC and fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness. It is believed that shared underlying mechanisms, such as abnormalities in pain processing and increased inflammation, may contribute to the co-occurrence of these conditions.

• • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS): Like IC, CFS is a complex disorder with no clear cause. Some studies have reported an increased prevalence of IC among individuals with CFS, suggesting a potential overlap in underlying mechanisms involving immune dysregulation and inflammation.

• • Autoimmune Conditions: Autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, have also been found to coexist with IC in some individuals. While the exact relationship is not fully understood, it is thought that immune system dysfunction and inflammation may contribute to the development of both IC and autoimmune disorders.

It’s important to note that these associations do not imply causation, and further research is needed to fully understand the complex relationship between IC and other inflammatory conditions.

If you suspect you have IC or any related condition, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and appropriate management.

How can Stem Cell Treatment help Interstitial Cystitis Pain?

Adipose derived adult (non-embryonic) mesenchymal stem cells are currently being investigated for use in degenerative conditions that result in damage to various organs and systems.

These cells have the ability to locate areas of damage or injury in the body and help repair different organs and tissues such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and bones.

They are naturally attracted to sites of inflammation or injury and promote healing by either directly forming new cells or releasing chemical signals that aid in the healing process.

These stem cells are abundant in fat tissue and have shown greater regenerative potential to those found in bone marrow. They have been used successfully in treating various diseases in both humans and animals.

Based on studies in mice, there is hope that adipose derived stem cells could potentially be used to repair damaged bladders in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC).

A treatment protocol has been developed using high doses of these stem cells injected into the bloodstream, directly into the bladder, or into specific points in the pelvic floor.

However, it’s important to note that these treatments are not currently approved by the FDA and are not covered by most insurances.

Want to learn more? 

Fill out the form below to have one of our care specialists reach out about scheduling an appointment.

Read the Case Study

Personal cell therapy for interstitial cystitis with autologous stromal vascular fraction stem cells …. Read More on the case study from the Urologist that does this treatment