What causes interstitial cystitis?
In fact, because IC varies from person to person, scientists believe there may be multiple causes, including: • A defect in the bladder lining that allows harmful substances in the urine to come into contact with the bladder wall. • An overproduction of histamine and other potentially harmful chemicals by mast cells, a special type of cell that normally protects the body from allergic reactions. • Changes in the nerves inside the bladder. • Some type of autoimmune response in which the body attacks its own organs and tissue. The urine of people with IC contains a substance known as antiproliferative-factor or APF. APF appears to block the development of cells in the bladder lining. This leads scientists to think that some people are predisposed to get interstitial cystitis after an injury, such as an infection, to the bladder.
