What Do Spring Allergies Mean for Your Bladder? | Tennessee Valley Urology Center
The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. And the pollen is certainly starting to fill the air, as the spring season is upon us.
However, while we usually think about seasonal allergies affecting our sinuses, such as with itchy, watery eyes, a scratchy throat and/or nasal congestion, seasonal allergies can also take a toll on another part of our body—our bladder.
Our team at Tennessee Valley Urology Center wants you to know how to tackle allergy season this spring, as well as ways to know whether your bladder issues might be due to seasonal allergies.
Allergies and Interstitial Cystitis: What’s the Connection?
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 3 to 8 million women and between 1 and 4 million men living in the United States have interstitial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis is a medical condition that causes a person to experience bladder pressure, pelvic pain and/or bladder pain.
While anyone can experience the chronic condition, those most at risk for interstitial cystitis include those who have a chronic pain disorder, fair skin or red hair. Symptoms of interstitial cystitis include:
- A persistent, urgent need to urinate
- Pain in your pelvis or between the vagina and anus in women
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Pain between the scrotum and anus in men
- Frequent urination, often of small amounts, throughout the day and night
Many times people living with this aforementioned condition feel as though the symptoms grow worse when it comes to the sneezing and runny nose brought on by seasonal allergies, especially right now when the trees and flowers are in full bloom! Fortunately, by treating seasonal allergies, people living with interstitial cystitis can also often find relief from their usual bladder symptoms.
Treatment Is Available
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used as treatment options for the symptoms of interstitial cystitis, there can be times where your seasonal allergies could play a part in causing your symptoms to flare up. As a result, people who are living with interstitial cystitis could be given OTC or prescription antihistamines in order to help reduce urinary urgency and frequency, as well as other allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose.
Do you think the spring allergies could be taking a toll on your bladder health? Make an appointment today with one of our professionals at Tennessee Valley Urology Center today!