|
Gepan Instill
Effective GAG-replenishment
|
What is Interstitial Cystitis
IC is a chronic, non-bacterial inflammation of the bladder, which is characterized by three typical symptoms: imperative urinary urgency, high micturition frequency and persistent pain in the area of the bladder and lower abdomen (“pelvic pain”).
90% of IC-patients are female. The diagnosis is most frequently established in patients between the ages of about 40 to 50 years. The clinical features of other chronic forms of cystitis are very similar to those of interstitial cystitis. Such forms of cystitis include radiation cystitis, chronic and recurrent forms of bacterial cystitis as well as some forms of the “overactive bladder” syndrome. There is a certain degree of overlap between these conditions , and this explains the success of a GAG-replenishing therapy (see below) in these cystitis chronic forms of cystitis.
Quality of life is strongly affected by these symptoms:
- Not suppressible (imperative) urinary urgency
- Frequent bladder voidings
- Constant pain
Conditions such as the following are often associated with a defective GAG-layer:
- Interstitial cystitis
- Radiation cystitis
- Chronically-recurring cycstitis
- Overactive bladder syndrome
Diagnosis
If IC is suspected an immediate and thorough investigation is decisive for the prognosis. A tentative diagnosis can be deduced from the clinical symptoms. The three main clinical symptoms – the so called IC-trias of symptoms – should lead physicians to consider interstitial cystitis. This holds true even if only one of the symptoms is present, as in individual patients there is a wide variation in the combination and severity of the typical symptoms.
Treatment
The aims of IC-treatment include a reduction or a complete elimination of IC-symptoms and if possible, halting the course of the disease. This is accomplished by a restoration of the GAG-layer in combination with additional measures aimed at controlling the typical symptoms. Today treatment focuses on the GAG-layer. A primary aim of the treatment is the restoration of this protective mucosal layer. A major component of the GAG-layer, chrondroitin sulphate, is deficient in IC-patients. This substance can be instilled into the bladder in order to restablish the protective function of the GAG-layer. Gepan® instill contains a sterile chondroitin sulphate solution and thus the symptoms such as pain and urinary urgency can be reduced.
Visit the Gepan-Instill website - www.gepan-instill.com
The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation
|
|
