Tests for Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis causes discomfort and pain within your pelvic region. The condition can also cause you to feel as if you need to urinate frequently. Interstitial cystitis is also known as painful bladder syndrome. The pain you experience can increase when your bladder becomes full. According to the Mayo Clinic, interstitial cystitis affects about 1 million Americans, with women being the most affected. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis can mimic other medical conditions, such as a urinary tract infection. Your physician may perform multiple tests to know the exact cause of your symptoms.
Preliminary Exam
Your physician will inquire about your symptoms, such as the type of pain you're experiencing, how often you're in pain, and how often you're urinating. Your doctor will try to rule out whether you're experiencing a urinary tract infection by asking if your urine is cloudy or bloody, if it burns when you urinate, if you've had a fever, if you've had nausea and vomiting, or if you are experiencing pain within your upper back or on your sides.
Pelvic Exam
For women who may suffer from interstitial cystitis, a pelvic exam will be conducted to rule out other medical conditions, such as vaginitis (an inflammation of the vagina). During a pelvic exam, your physician will feel your internal organs, as well as check your external genitals. Your anus and rectum may also be examined. According to the American Family Physician, a pelvic exam can also detect if you are experiencing any tenderness at the base of your bladder.
Urinalysis
You will be asked to give a urine sample to check for any abnormality within your urine. With a urine sample, your physician is checking for any possible bacteria, or white and red blood cells. If bacteria, or white and red blood cells, appear, you're likely suffering from an infection of your urinary tract system. If you continue to have symptoms of frequent urination and pain within your pelvic region, yet urine samples remain negative, your physician will determine that the cause of your symptoms point toward a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis.
Potassium Sensitivity Test
A potassium sensitivity test requires a solution of potassium chloride and water to be placed into your bladder. Each solution will be placed into your bladder one at a time. You then rate the urgency for needing to urinate and rate any symptoms of pain experienced. If you notice you have more pain with the potassium chloride, a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis is likely. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you have a normal bladder, you will not feel any pain or the strong need to urinate with a potassium sensitivity test.
Cystoscopy and Cystodistension
A cystoscopy is conducted to discern the exact cause of your symptoms. A small, thin tube known as a cystoscope is placed into your urethra. On the end of the cystoscope is a camera, which can examine your bladder lining. Your physician may also fill your bladder with fluid in another procedure known as cystodistension. Cystodistension will determine your bladder capacity.
Biopsy
A biopsy removes a small amount of tissue from your bladder and urethra. A biopsy is usually performed during a cystoscopy procedure. The tissue sample taken from your bladder and urethra is placed on a slide an examined under a microscope for any abnormalities. In many circumstances, your physician is checking for signs of bladder cancer, or any other serious medical conditions that may be causing your pain.
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