Do you experience a strong urge to urinate frequently? Do you suffer from intense pelvic pain? Then you may need to speak to your healthcare provider because these are some of the most common warning signs that you may have bladder pain syndrome more commonly known as interstitial cystitis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a non-profit organization that provides information on health-related topics, interstitial cystitis (in-tur-STISH-ul sis-TIE-tis) is a chronic condition causing bladder pressure, bladder pain and sometimes pelvic pain.

Millions of people globally are affected by the health condition, however, it is more prevalent among women over the age of 30.

Symptoms

The symptoms associated with bladder pain syndrome may vary for individuals, however, the most common warning signs include:

• Pelvic pain
• Frequent urination
• pain in the lower abdomen that is often relieved after urinating
• Feeling the need to urinate often but with smaller volumes than usual
• pain during sex

If experiencing any of the above complications, it is highly recommended that individuals speak to their healthcare provider about the symptoms they are experiencing to aid in the treatment because they can lead to more severe health complications such as bladder cancer.

Ways to manage Interstitial Cystitis

While individuals cannot always prevent bladder syndrome, there are a few measures that can be implemented to lessen the symptoms.

These include drinking enough water and fluids to keep you hydrated throughout the day. Drinking adequate liquids helps the kidney and the bladder to carry out their core functions which are to flush toxins from the body.

Additionally, if you were not already practising a healthy lifestyle, now would be the best time to start.

Regular exercise and promoting a healthy diet can also benefit your overall health and well-being. Likewise, making responsible lifestyle choices towards your health such as quitting smoking and the overconsumption of alcoholic beverages can also help to improve the condition.

–Send feedback to [email protected]