Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic condition often misdiagnosed as a urinary tract infection and potentially treatable through a number of interventions.

The Urology Hospital, Pretoria, says interstitial cystitis is extremely debilitating and dramatically affects one’s quality of life. It may also cause emotional stress and problems with sexual intimacy.

Symptoms include a feeling of immense pressure and pain in the bladder or pelvis, as well as the constant need to urinate. The pain is often relieved after urinating.

Other symptoms – which differ from person to person -- include difficulty urinating and frequent urination. Pain in the scrotum, penis, testes, or between the anus and scrotum are typical male symptoms.  Women may experience pain between the vagina and anus as well as pelvic pain.

Many of these are also symptoms of a urinary tract infection, so it is important to consult a urologist for an accurate diagnosis, says Dr Preena Sivsankar from The Urology Hospital.  Misdiagnosis may result in the unnecessary use of antibiotics which could result in antibiotic resistance, while failing to treat the interstitial cystitis.

The number of people suffering from interstitial cystitis in South Africa is not known, but it affects women slightly more than men. In the United States, it affects between three and eight million women and between one and four million men.  

The exact causes are unknown, so treatments may vary. Improvement in symptoms may come from a change in diet and lifestyle and fluid intake. Medication and certain procedures may also assist.

Sivsankar says interstitial cystitis can be diagnosed through a pelvic exam, a urine test, a cystoscopy, and a bladder biopsy.  A urodynamic study is also useful to exclude other conditions. 

“There is no simple treatment. If you have symptoms, call The Urology Hospital or consult your urologist who will work with you on a treatment regime”, said Sivsankar.

For more information, contact 012 423-4000 or SMS the word INFO and your email address to 33000 (SMS charged at R1.50).

Fibroid Embolisation available through parts of sub-Saharan Africa

Fibroids are benign masses of muscle and connective tissue  which occur in and around the womb. Fibroids affect women aged 35-50 and have various symptoms which range according to the severity of the fibroid. These symptoms include prolonged menstrual bleeding as well as frequent urination, painful intercourse and pelvic pain.

Fibroid Embolisation is being favoured over surgical procedures due to the fact that it is an innovative, effective and non-surgical means of managing fibroids that has no effect on fertility. Traditional procedures include the intensive removal of the womb through a hysterectomy as well as the removal of just the fibroids i.e. a Myomectomy that also requires surgery.

A local anaesthetic is all that is required for the procedure which patients remaining awake during the surgery, though lightly sedated. A tiny incision of around 1mm is made in the skin above the femoral or radial artery. Through this incision, small and flexible tubes known as catheters are fed through and used to determine which artery is nourishing the fibroid(s). Once the artery is located, a blockage is created by means of inactive particles inserted into the artery. The effect of this is a malnourished fibroid which will shrink until it disappears completely.  

Although the procedure is possible through both the femoral and radial artery, the closeness of the radial artery to the skin allows for a more comfortable experience overall. Recovery time is minimal and most patients are discharged from the hospital on the day of the procedure itself. Although recurrence is rare, in the event of fibroids growth post-embolisation, the procedure can be safely administered again.

Africa is not fully acquainted with this process and as a result Fibroid Embolisation is not widely practiced. Through Fibroid Care, fibroid sufferers have a chance of relieving their symptoms without surgical intervention.

Fibroid MEbolisation is conducted at the Netcare Femina Hospital and Mediclinic Heart Hospital based in Pretoria. In the Western Cape, treatment is possible at Rondebosch Medical Centre in Cape Town and Vergelegen Mediclinic in Somerset West. Lenmed Bokamoso Hospital is the current location in Botswana and Weltwitschia Hospital in Namibia also offer this groundbreaking procedure. With demand on the rise, Fibroid Care is invested in serving the greater African community.

A little more about Dr Andrew Lawson:

Dr Andrew Lawson is a specialist in Diagnostic & Interventional Radiology who received his MbChb from the University of the Witwatersrand. He went on to study further in Cape Town where her recieved his Radiology accreditation at Groote Schuur Hospital. He nurtured his interests in Artery Embolsation and went to England to receive training in Fibroid Embolisation at the Royal Surrey Hospital. Dr Lawson also has exposure to diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which he gained during his time in Australia.

As the current face behind the Fibroid Care, he practices Fibroid Embolisation across South Africa as well as parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

For more information
http://www.fibroidcare.co.za
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+27 (0)79 810 9423