Many women suffer from a very painful Urological disorder called Interstitial Cystitis. In addition to being painful, it is often difficult to diagnose and treat. Dr. Christi has successfully faced the challenge of treating Interstitial Cystitis for many patients with innovative treatments. There is hope.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) is a painful bladder syndrome. Patients experience pain as the bladder fills up, resulting in more frequent bathroom visits.
The average time to diagnose IC is approximately 2 years, because it mimics recurrent bladder infections. Many patients are given antibiotic after antibiotic, but they never improve.
We do not fully understand what causes IC, but we do know that it involves increased pain signals on the nerves and an increased histamine response in the bladder wall. Often, there is a food sensitivity related to IC, and dietary changes can be very helpful.
There are two types of IC. One type is bladder-centric, and often this type includes an ulcer in the bladder.
The second type of IC is related to other conditions in the body that cause widespread pain, such as fibromyalgia, IBS and migraines. It is important to address these conditions as well.
Dr. Christi will evaluate you and discuss with you the best path forward. She has developed an Interstitial Cystitis Pathway with many treatment options that can be tailored to your symptoms and needs. Sometimes a cystoscopy is needed to look for ulcers. Patients find success with many different treatments:
This is a tough condition to diagnose, but Dr. Christi is ready to work with you to find your solution. Call our office at 281.717.4003 for a consultation.