Interstitial cystitis can be defined as a condition of the bladder in which symptoms closely reflect those of a typical bladder infection or urinary tract infection. These symptoms consist of frequent and urgent urination as well as moderate pain/ pressure in the lower pelvic area. (1) There is no known cure for IC, but there are different treatment methods. IC varies from patient to patient making it hard to pin point the causes of this diagnosis. However, physicians have found a common link in stress/hormonal and genetic triggers that can flare up the symptoms of IC.
Treatment methods include adhering to a diet low in acidic foods such as tomato based products, alcohol, chocolate, and caffeine. Others also monitor stress triggers as well as menstrual cycles. Female patients with IC have reported a decrease significantly in their symptoms while breastfeeding. Physicians theorize that this is due to a decreased level of stress that is associated with women while breastfeeding. Thus they are testing whether or not oxytoxin can help relieve the symptoms associated with patients who have IC. Dr. Meredith Robbing of the University of Birmingham is currently testing 50 patients with an intranasal 40 mg spray of oxytoxin or saline nasal spray as the placebo. Oxytoxin is typically used to relieve pain but it is also known to help relieve anxiety. (2)
Treatment varies from person to person due to differing stages of I.C., ulcerative or non ulcerative I.C., as well as drug allergies. Some medication can be directly administered into the bladder, other methods use antihistamines, homeopathic remedies, as well as anti depressants. (1) Severe cases require surgery in conjunction with physical therapy. If this treatment proves effective it will be the first methods to treat IC via intranasal. Not only would it would be a first of its kind, but it would be a solution a more convenient and cost effective treatment of a condition that has no cure.
- Interstitial Cystitis Association. Diagnosis & Treatment. 16 June 2010. Web. 25 June 2013.www.ichelp.org.
2.Robbins, Meredith, PhD. “Intranasal Oxytocin for the Treatment of Pain Associated With Interstitial Cystitis.” 25 Febuary 2013. Web. 26 June 2013. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00919802.