IC Disease

In order to make a diagnosis of IC Disease, a urologist has to rule out certain health conditions and illnesses.  Some of the tests that are done to do this include:

• Taking urine cultures to determine if bacteria is present and if a bladder infection or UTI is the cause of the symptoms.
• Ruling out other illnesses that have similar symptoms - bladder cancer, vaginal infections, STDs, endometriosis, neurological disorders, kidney problems, and tuberculosis.

If all of the above are ruled out, a urologist will next perform a cystocopy under general anesthesia.  The cystocopy with hydrodistention is necessary in order to make a proper diagnosis of Interstitial Cystitis.  This is the only way that the hallmark features of IC can be found - the pinpoint hemorrhages on the bladder wall.  A biopsy is taken as well to rule out bladder cancer.