Treatment of noninfectious cystitis centers on management of symptoms rather than providing a cure.

MEDICATIONS:
Noninfectious cystitis is often treated with anti-cholinergic drugs that improve bladder contraction and emptying. Possible side effects include slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, increased thirst, and stomach discomfort.

Sometimes muscle relaxants (such as diazepam) and alpha 1-blockers (prazosin) may be used to decrease the symptoms of urgency (strong urge to urinate) and frequency (need to urinate frequently).

SURGERY:
Surgery is rarely performed unless an individual experiences severe urinary retention, or significant hematuria (blood in the urine).

DIET:
Avoid fluids that irritate the bladder, such as alcohol, citrus juices, and caffeine.

OTHER THERAPY:
Bladder retraining exercises to re-establish a pattern of regular and complete urination may be recommended. Bladder re-training is achieved by developing a schedule of times when you should try to urinate, while trying consciously to delay urination in between these times. One method is to force yourself to urinate every 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours, despite any leakage or urge to urinate in between these times. As you become skilled at waiting this long, gradually increase the time intervals by 1/2 hour until you are urinating every 3 to 4 hours.

Pelvic muscle strengthening exercises called Kegel exercises are used primarily to treat people with stress incontinence. However, these exercises may also be beneficial in relieving the symptoms of urgency related to chronic noninfectious cystitis. The success of Kegel exercises depends on proper technique and adherence to a regular exercise program.

Electrical stimulation to the pelvis may be used as a treatment for noninfectious cystitis, but this is controversial.

MONITORING:
If the cystitis is related to radiation therapy or chemotherapy, serial urinalysis and cystoscopy (use of lighted instrument to look inside the bladder) exams may be necessary to evaluate possible complications of the initial treatment.

• Ulceration of bladder wall
• Urethral stricture
• Diminished bladder capacity
• Bladder cancer
• Anemia