Which is a treatment for interstitial cystitis?

• A. Antibiotic therapy
• B. Dialysis
• C. Bladder instillation
• D. Surgical removal

Answer: (C)

Delivering meds directly into the bladder targets the bladder lining to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain in interstitial cystitis. Bladder instillation is an intravesical therapy where a medicated solution is introduced through a catheter and held in the bladder for a period, allowing the medication to act locally on the bladder wall. This approach can help soothe irritation, decrease urgency and pelvic pain, and improve bladder capacity, making it a common and effective option when oral medications don’t provide enough relief.

Antibiotics aren’t used here unless there’s a concurrent infection, because interstitial cystitis is not caused by bacteria. Dialysis addresses kidney failure, not bladder inflammation. Surgical removal isn’t a standard treatment for this chronic bladder condition. Bladder instillation specifically targets the bladder lining, which is why it’s the preferred choice among these options.