Medically reviewed by: Melissa A. Delgado, MD, FACOG
Melissa A. Delgado, MD, FACOG is the founder and owner of The Chronic Pelvic Pain Center of Northern Virginia. Dr. Delgado is an experienced, board-certified OB/GYN and has spent the past 10 years dedicating her time to understanding complex and persistent pelvic pain.
After taking a look at NCBIs research article< "Effectiveness of intravesical ozone in interstitial cystitis by the O'Leary–Sant symptom index", Dr. Delgado has some takeaways and summaries to share in our effort to spread awareness about Ozone therapy and our approach here at The Chronic Pelvic Pain Center.
Dr. Delgado's Takeaways
Interstitial cystitis (IC) can profoundly affect one’s quality of life with its chronic bladder pain and urinary symptoms. However, a promising treatment called intravesical ozone therapy (bladder instillation) is offering new hope. Intravesical ozone therapy (bladder instillation) is an innovative approach for managing IC, especially for those who have not responded well to traditional treatments.
What You Need to Know:
IC is a condition where chronic inflammation of the bladder causes ongoing pain, frequent and urgent urination, waking up during the night to urinate, burning with urination, and more subtle symptoms like bladder awareness.
'Intravesical' means 'within the bladder.' Intravesical ozone therapy involves introducing ozone—a form of oxygen known for its strong antibacterial properties—directly into the bladder. This therapy utilizes ozone’s ability to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Biofilms and Interstitial Cystitis:
Traditional treatments often fail to address the underlying issues of biofilms in IC. Biofilms can shield pathogenic bacteria from conventional antibiotics, complicating treatment.
Ozone acts directly on these biofilms, potentially disrupting their protective barriers and enhancing treatment efficacy.
A Closer Look at the Research:
Patients underwent six sessions of intravesical ozone therapy, showing significant improvements in symptoms and quality of life.
The study tested intravesical ozone therapy in reducing the symptoms of IC, particularly in patients who have not responded well to other treatments.
This therapy directly targets the bladder's inflamed tissues, potentially disrupting the cycle of inflammation and pain typical of IC.
Key Findings
Patients experienced a dramatic reduction in symptom scores, with most showing a 92.3% improvement post-treatment.
Ozone therapy reduced the symptoms and maintained these improvements over a six-month follow-up period.
Why This Matters:
For those living with IC, finding effective treatments that don't involve invasive procedures like cystoscopy or heavy reliance on medications is crucial.
Reducing visits to the hospital and the overall dependence on pain medication could significantly improve the lifestyle of those affected.
Conclusions:
Intravesical ozone therapy is an effective, safe, and innovative treatment that could revolutionize the management of interstitial cystitis.
Higher doses and repeated sessions of intravesical ozone can significantly enhance outcomes for IC patients.
This therapy offers a promising alternative for patients who are non-responders to conventional pharmacological treatments.
Original Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37315109/
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