What is interstitial cystitis?
Interstitial cystitis is chronic inflammation of the bladder. People who have interstitial cystitis have a bladder wall that is inflamed and irritated (red and sore). This inflammation can scar the bladder or make it stiff. A stiff bladder can't expand as urine fills it. In some cases, the walls of the bladder may bleed slightly. A few people get sores in the bladder lining. More than 3 million American women and 1 million men have interstitial cystitis.
Source
Interstitial Cystitis: Urgency and Frequency Syndrome by JF Metts (American Family Physician October 01, 2001, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20011001/1199.html)
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Reviewed/Updated: 08/10
Created: 10/01