Ever heard about the bladder pain syndrome?

Bladder pain syndrome, also referred to as interstitial cystitis, is a chronic bladder problem marked by a feeling of pain, pressure and discomfort in the bladder and pelvic area. The intensity of the pain ranges from mild to severe and is often accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms, that you have been experiencing for 6 weeks or longer. Experts from the best urology surgery hospital in Mumbai suggest that, while some patients may experience the symptoms occasionally, for others, this might be persistent. It is pertinent to note that bladder pain syndrome is not an infection, but it surely does look like one.

The bladder is a muscular bag that is responsible for storing urine. It keeps on expanding until it's full and once it has reached its top capacity, it sends signals to the brain and you feel the urge to urinate. However, in the case of a patient suffering from bladder pain syndrome, there is some problem with the transmission of signals, thereby giving rise to a more frequent urge to urinate.

As per the urology specialists in Pune, women are at a higher risk of developing painful bladder syndrome and likely to have a long-lasting impact of the same. Also, it is important to note that some people with the condition are likely to develop other health issues like irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Symptoms associated with bladder pain syndrome

The symptoms of bladder pain syndrome vary from person to person and so does their intensity. In fact, the same person may experience varied symptoms over time. The symptoms may even aggravate when the female is menstruating. Other triggers include stress, exertion and sexual activities.

Here are three of the most common symptoms associated with bladder pain syndrome, listed by the experts from the best urology surgery hospital in India:

• Pain - Although the symptoms are not the same for everyone, bladder pain and discomfort is something that almost all patients suffering from painful bladder syndrome experience. After all, this is where the condition gets its name from. The pain is likely to worsen with the accumulation of urine. It is important to note that the pain is not just restricted to the bladder and may also radiate towards the urethra, lower abdomen, lower back and pelvic area.

Women suffering from bladder pain syndrome may also experience pain in and around the vagina, whereas me suffering from the condition may feel it in and around the scrotum, testicle and penis.

• Frequency - This is one of the initial signs of bladder pain syndrome. A patient suffering from the condition is likely to experience an increased and frequent urge to pee. A healthy person urinates about 7 to 8 times a day and hardly once or twice at night. The numbers are significantly raised for patients suffering from bladder pain syndrome. The urine flow of the patient, and the amount of urine passed, may also be very less.
• Urgency - This usually happens when the urinary frequency becomes very severe. Why some patients may experience a sudden or abrupt urge to urinate quite often, others may experience it continuously. For some, this might not be an issue, but for others, it can be really dramatic. The problem tends to aggravate with certain activities. Certain food and drinks may also contribute to the same. In the case of women, these symptoms vary depending upon their menstrual cycles. Men, on the other hand, are likely to have painful orgasms. Urinary incontinence is quite rare and if you are experiencing the same, it might be an indication of some other problem.