Interstitial Cystitis

Home » Interstitial Cystitis » Causes, Risk Factors

Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Interstitial Cystitis
(Free Handout)

Causes and Risk Factors

IC is a poorly understood disease with unknown causes. Although no bacteria or viruses (pathogens) have been found in the urine of IC sufferers, an unidentified infectious agent may be the cause. Others believe that IC occurs with ischemia (tissue death) or a deficiency of GAG in the epithelium of unknown cause, although genetic predispositions in some patients have been documented.

It may be an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system attacks healthy cells, perhaps following a bladder infection. Spasms of the pelvic floor muscles may also contribute to the symptoms of IC. It is likely that several factors in combination cause the condition.

Other conditions associated with IC include the following:

• Asthma
• Endometriosis
• Food allergies
• Hay fever (pollen allergy)
• Incontinence
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Lupus
• Migraine
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sinusitis
• Vulvadynia and vulvar vestibulitis

The connection between IC and these conditions is not understood.

IC may occur following gynecological surgery. Some evidence suggests an increased risk for IC in Jews; and studies of mothers, daughters, and twins who suffer from it suggest a hereditary risk factor.

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Interstitial Cystitis Resources

	Join Our Interstitial Cystitis Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar.