Symptoms And Diagnosis Of Interstitial Cystitis

Medical History And Physical Exam

A healthcare provider can use a medical history and physical exam to rule out other diseases and conditions that may be the cause of a patient's symptoms. This process helps the provider with making an interstitial cystitis diagnosis, as no single medical test can positively or negatively identify the condition. The physician gathers a thorough medical history which involves asking the patient questions about what their symptoms are, the duration of such symptoms, how the symptoms are affecting their everyday life, past health issues, current health concerns, prescription and over the counter drugs the individual is taking, diet, and fluid intake. A physical exam can help a physician identify the cause of the patient's symptoms, and if they are or are not characteristic of interstitial cystitis. For females, the physical exam includes the pelvic organs, rectum, and abdomen. For males, the physical exam consists of the prostate, abdomen, and rectum. If no abnormalities or explanation is identified for the patient's symptoms, further testing is done to confirm an interstitial cystitis diagnosis.