Interstitial Cystitis, or IC, is a condition in which a person experiences recurring pain or discomfort in the bladder and pelvic regions. It can be extremely painful and uncomfortable, and can have several different symptoms. The symptoms vary from person to person, and can differ from one day to the next in the same person. This is one reason it is important to keep a journal of your symptoms.
With IC, individuals can experience mild to extreme pain and tenderness. They may feel the need to urinate frequently, and may also experience a painful urgency to urinate. There also may be irritation or pain when urinating. You may even experience symptoms that aren't listed here.
Keeping a journal of your symptoms, whatever they may be, and when you experienced them can help your doctor come up with a treatment plan. Different symptoms can require different kinds of treatment. Showing a journal of symptoms to your doctor can ensure that you don't receive the same treatment as another person who has symptoms completely different from yours.
With IC, you may notice that different things you do can trigger pains or other symptoms. For example, different foods that you eat may trigger pain in the abdomen, or drinking something acidic can worsen the pain when you urinate. Having a journal of these things can help you and your doctor notice a pattern, which will help you avoid things that trigger symptoms.
Until recently, IC was considered to be a psychological problem, creating pain and confusion in all types of people. Some individuals probably started to wonder if they were imagining symptoms. Thankfully, IC is now considered a real and physical problem, and more is being done to treat patients with this condition.
The symptoms of IC can make it hard to diagnose. In fact, it is often misdiagnosed as urinary tract infection, bladder infections, or kidney problems. Some of the symptoms are the same as the symptoms of these other conditions. It can be extremely frustrating to be diagnosed with something else when you have IC, as the treatment for something else probably won't help your symptoms.
If you think you may have IC, keeping a journal of your symptoms will help your doctor to diagnose you properly, and treat you with something that will lessen or alleviate your symptoms. The wide range of symptoms will also help doctors to realize that you aren't experiencing just a type of infection, but that you may have IC.
There is no downfall in keeping a journal, and it can only help. Track your pain, bathroom visits, tenderness, frequency of urination, and triggers. In women, the symptoms with IC can be worse as it gets closer to your menstruation time. Be sure to log this into your journal as well. Doing this will help your doctor to help you, and if you have experienced the pain associated with IC, you know that you can use all the help you can get. Get started today, and get well!
If you’re currently experiencing Interstitital Cystitis or painful bladder syndrome then you are not alone. Many people, just like you, have found relief from painful interstitital cystitis symptoms and are currently living a healthier and happier lifestyle. If you want to join the revolution for better bladder health, please visit http://www.interstitial-cystitis.net today!
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