The bladder is the organ located in the lower abdomen that stores urine. There are several different problems that can cause pain in the bladder. The three most common causes of bladder pain are interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infection, and bladder cancer.
While the main symptom of these conditions is often pain, patients often experience additional symptoms. These may include:
As previously stated, bladder pain may be caused by a number of different problems. For example, interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic condition which causes the bladder to become inflamed and irritated. IC may be caused by a defect in the bladder lining, trauma to the bladder, or spinal cord injury.
Urinary tract infection is caused when bacteria finds its way through the urethra, which connects the bladder with the outside of the body. It can affect any part of the urinary system, including the bladder, ureters, urethra, and kidneys. Another common cause of bladder pain is cancer of the bladder.
The treatment of bladder pain will vary depending on the exact cause of the pain. In addition to treatments and therapies to address the cause of the pain – such as bladder instillation, bladder retraining, and in some cases surgery – patients may also be prescribed medications to relieve the pain, including prescription painkillers, steroids, and antibiotics. In some cases, surgery or chemotherapy may also be required.
Medical cannabis has long been considered a potential alternative to strong painkillers for the management of pain. There is growing evidence that the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) plays an important role in pain signalling. This could make cannabinoids a useful therapy for pain management.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine whether medical cannabis could be an effective option.
.jpg)
