Hunner's Ulcer Information
Hunner's Ulcers occur in 5 to 10 percent of people who have the disease Interstitial cystitis. They form on the wall of the bladder and, like any ulcer, they can bleed, ooze and vary in size. They were first described by Dr. Guy LeRoy Hunner, 1868–1957, a Johns Hopkins gynecologist, in a paper delivered to the Boston Medical Society in 1915.[1]
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Diagnoses
Hunner's Ulcers can only be accurately diagnosed via a cystoscopy with hydrodistention. The procedure is performed while the patient is under general anaesthetic and is listed as a day surgery.
Treatment
The ulcers can be removed through fulguration (burned off with the use of electricity or a laser) or resection (cutting around the ulcer, removing both the ulcer and the surrounding inflamed tissue). Some ulcers may recur in the same location.
Many patients choose to live with the ulcers and treat the symptoms associated with them through bladder instillations or/and pain medication/therapy.
Some find relief by modifying their diet to remove those foods and beverages that appear to trigger symptoms. Examples may be caffeine, particularly coffee (regular and decaf), tea, green tea, soda, artificial sugars and fruit juices. Cranberry juice, for example, can trigger intense pain and discomfort. However, studies about the impact of specific foods and drinks on Hunner's ucler symptoms are limited.
Prevention
The drug Elmiron helps to prevent the formation of Hunner's Ulcers by coating the bladder wall, thus making it harder for the acid in urine to irritate the bladder wall lining, which can lead to ulceration.
See also
Notes
- ^ J. P. MacDermott, G. L. Charpied, H. Tesluk and A. R. Stone. Histological changes in interstitial cystitis. International Urogynecology Journal, Volume 4, Number 4, 1993, 246-249.
Support Organizations
- Interstitial Cystitis Association (ICA) - http://www.ichelp.org
- Interstitial Cystitis Network (ICN) - http://www.ic-network.com
Diet Resources
- A Taste of the Good Life: A Cookbook For An IC Diet (1998), author Beverley Laumann
- Confident Choices - Customizing the Interstitial Cystitis Diet (2005), author Julie Beyer, MA, RD
- Confident Choices - A Cookbook for Interstitial Cystitis and Overactive Bladder (2009), author Julie Beyer, MA, RD
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