Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a disorder of the uri nary bladder characterized by urgency, frequency, nocturia, and chronic pelvic pain. The main pathologic findings include dysfunction of the bladder glycosaminoglycan protective layer and a high number of activated bladder mast cells; these processes could lead to neurogenic inflam mation and immune damage of the bladder wall, with subsequent chronic nerve sensitization. As IC has become better known and the diag nostic criteria presently do not necessarily include cystoscopy, it has been estimated that 1 million women in the United States have IC. Many pa tients with IC also have allergies, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome, all of which are exacer bated by physical or emotional stress.
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