Interstitial Cystitis (IC) or Interstitial Cystitis Painful Bladder Syndrome is a painful, chronic condition characterized by pain in the bladder which often radiates to the pelvic region in women and the prostate region in men.  Oftentimes sufferers experience a severely increased level of the need to urinate throughout the day and night.  Other symptoms may include pain during or after sexual intercourse, chemical and food sensitivities and chronic pain within the pelvic/prostate region and bladder.  IC affects millions of people in the United States alone.  Although men and children can have IC the majority of sufferers are women (this view might change as more doctors and researchers have begun to agree that what was originally thought of us as Prostatitis in some men is actually IC).  IC has recently undergone a renaming within the U.S. medical community so it is important to know that you might see it called: Interstitial Cystitis or Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome.  The rest of the world uses Interstitial Cystitis or Bladder Pain Syndrome. 

Related Conditions
 IC sufferers may also have the following diseases/conditions in addition to IC: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS); Vulvodynia (severe pain in and around the vulva); Dyspareunia (pain during or after sexual intercourse); Prostatitis; Fibromyalgia; Overactive Bladder Syndrome; Allergies; Lupus; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Dysuria (pain or burning during urination); Lyme disease; thyroid malfunction; low levels of Vitamin D;food and chemical allergies.