What is the Difference Between Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder

The key difference between interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder is that interstitial cystitis is a chronic medical condition typically characterized by pressure and pain in the bladder, while the overactive bladder is a chronic medical condition typically characterized by urinary urgency.

The urinary bladder is a hollow organ located in the lower abdomen in humans and vertebrates. It stores urine from the kidneys before disposal by urination. Interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder are two chronic medical conditions that affect the bladder.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Interstitial Cystitis
3. What is an Overactive Bladder
4. Similarities – Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder
5. Interstitial Cystitis vs Overactive Bladder in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Interstitial Cystitis vs Overactive Bladder

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic medical condition that causes pressure and pain in the bladder and pelvic pain. The pain in this condition ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. This chronic condition is a part of the spectrum of diseases, usually called painful bladder syndrome. There is no exact known cause for interstitial cystitis. But it is believed it can occur due to a defect in the epithelium of the bladder. Defects such as leaks in the epithelium can allow toxic materials in the urine to irritate the bladder wall. The signs and symptoms of this condition may include pain in the pelvis (for women), pain between the scrotum and anus (for men), chronic pelvic pain, frequent urge to urinate, frequent urination in small amounts, discomfort while the bladder fills and relief after urinating, and pain during sex. The risk factors for interstitial cystitis include sex (women affected more), age (during the 30s or older), and chronic pain disorder (irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia).

Moreover, diagnosis of interstitial cystitis may include medical history, pelvic exam, urine test, cystoscopy, biopsy, urine cytology, and potassium sensitivity test. Furthermore, treatment options for interstitial cystitis include physical therapy, oral medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, pentosan polysulfate sodium, nerve stimulation (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and sacral nerve stimulation), bladder distention, medications instilled into the bladder (dimethyl sulfoxide) and surgery (fulguration, resection, and bladder augmentation).

What is an Overactive Bladder?

Overactive bladder is a chronic medical condition that causes a frequent and sudden urge to urinate. This condition is very difficult to control. An overactive bladder is caused due to involuntary bladder contractions. The signs and symptoms may include the feeling of a sudden urge to urinate, which is difficult to control, experiencing unintentional loss of urine, frequent urination, and waking up more than two times in the night to urinate (nocturia). The risk factors for an overactive bladder may include older age, having diseases such as enlarged prostate and diabetes, cognitive decline due to a stroke or Alzheimer’s disease, and having bowel control problems.

Overactive bladder can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, urine test, neurological exams, and tests of bladder function. Furthermore, the treatment options for overactive bladder include behavioural therapies (pelvic floor muscle exercises, biofeedback, healthy weight, scheduled urinating trips, intermittent catheterization, absorbent pads, and training the bladder), medications such as tolterodine, oxybutynin, trospium, solifenacin, fesoterodine or mirabegron, bladder injections (onabotulinumtoxinA), nerve stimulation, and surgery (surgery to increase bladder capacity and bladder removal).

What are the Similarities Between Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder?

• Interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder are two chronic medical conditions that affect the bladder.
• Both medical conditions may have similar symptoms, such as frequent urges to urinate.
• They may result in complications.
• Both medical conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination and urine tests.
• They can be treated through specific medications and surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder?

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic medical condition characterized by bladder pressure and bladder pain, while the overactive bladder is a chronic medical condition characterized by urinary urgency. Thus, this is the key difference between interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder. Furthermore, interstitial cystitis may be caused due to a defect in the protective lining of the bladder. On the other hand, an overactive bladder is caused due to involuntary bladder contractions.

The below infographic presents the differences between interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Interstitial Cystitis vs Overactive Bladder

Interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder are two chronic medical conditions that are due to problems in the bladder. Interstitial cystitis is characterized by bladder pressure and bladder pain, while the overactive bladder is characterized by urinary urgency. This is the key difference between interstitial cystitis and overactive bladder.

Reference:

1. “Overactive Bladder.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Interstitial Cystitis (IC): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Diagram showing a cystoscopy for a man and a woman CRUK 064” By Cancer Research UK – Original email from CRUK (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Urinary Incontinence” By Scientific Animations (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia