There is a call for worry when you experience pain in your pelvic area. Sometimes you may feel a burning sensation when passing urine, and find yourself wanting to use the bathroom more often than usual.
This is most likely Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), but there are some instances where you may be infected with Interstitial Cystitis (IC).
Even though they share similar symptoms, the causes are different. Urinary Tract Infection is caused by bacteria, whereas Interstitial Cystitis can only be diagnosed after no traces of infection are found.
Research is still ongoing to find the certain cause of Interstitial Cystitis. Some doctors, however, are convinced that it may result from general inflammation of the body.
Treatments may also differ. UTI can be treated with antibiotics, whereas IC may be treated with various medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
As mentioned earlier, the best way to be sure of which condition is present is to see a doctor for a diagnosis. If bacteria are found in urine, then it is most likely UTI.
These two conditions carry a lot of similarities so it is often easy to mistake one infection for the other.
Burning sensation when urinating, sudden urges to urinate, and urinating more often than usual are common signs of UTI and IC. From the above, it’s easy to understand why people confuse the two conditions. This is why self-diagnosis is not advisable.The easiest way to tell the difference is to see a doctor for a diagnosis.
