Scientists have not yet found a cure for Interstitial Cystitis, nor can they predict who will respond best to which treatment. Symptoms may disappear without explanation or coincide with an event such as a change in diet or treatment. Even when symptoms disappear, however, they may return after days, weeks, months, or years. Scientists do not know why.
Types of treatment include the following:
Biophysical Techniques
Biophysical techniques used to control Interstitial Cystitis symptoms include bladder retraining, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), stress reduction with biofeedback, diet modification, and exercise. Physical therapy for the pelvic floor muscles may help decrease pain and spasms. Bladder retraining is a self-help process in which patients learn to control their urge to urinate. The theory behind bladder retraining is that the bladder muscle actually weakens with frequent urination because it is not allowed to distend fully. Patients with Interstitial Cystitis experience the impulse to urinate frequently because they have pain or urgency as the bladder fills. Bladder retraining programs vary. Generally, the patient schedules times for urination (a voiding schedule) and uses a series of relaxation techniques and distractions to help keep the schedule. The interval is progressively lengthened, thus strengthening the bladder muscle. Bladder retraining may be complicated by severe pain.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
TENS involves the application of mild electric pulses to the body for minutes or hours a day. It is believed that the electric pulses increase blood flow to the bladder, strengthen pelvic muscles that aid in control, and trigger the release of pain-blocking hormones. TENS therapy may help with Interstitial Cystitis pain, though it may take a couple of months before any benefit is realized. A TENS device is worn outside of the body, usually near the sacral nerve.
Sacral Nerve Stimulation
The InterStim® device, used traditionally to treat bladder-control problems, is being used experimentally in pre-clinical trials to evaluate its effects on Interstitial Cystitis. It is implanted under the skin of the lower back, near the sacral nerve, where it delivers electrical pulses to the nerves involved in bladder function. It may help control frequency and urgency associated with Interstitial Cystitis, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved it for Interstitial Cystitis therapy.
Stress reduction techniques, biofeedback, and exercise may reduce the occurrence of flares by strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor. For some, exercise exacerbates symptoms by irritating an already tender bladder or sore abdomen.
Diet
Many people find that eliminating acidic, spicy, and sugary foods, as well as dairy products from their diet helps to control symptoms. The Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) provides a list of foods that may be problematic: