On 23rd June 2009 at the British Association of Urological Surgeons annual meeting in Glasgow, a panel of leading urologists participated in a roundtable discussion on painful bladder syndrome/ interstitial cystitis.
The meeting was chaired by Mr Malcolm Lucas (Consultant Urologist, Swansea). Mr Almallah’s fellow presenters were Dr Curtis Nickel (Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada) and Dr Robert Hurst (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA) and a panel of invited urologists to discuss current issues surrounding the condition, its diagnosis and ongoing management.
Mr Almallah who has special expertise in diagnosing and managing the painful condition and is the founding member of the Birmingham and Solihull Bladder Clinic which is based at one of the UK’s leading private hospitals- BMI The Priory Hospital in Edgbaston, Birmingham explains, “IC/ Bladder Pain Syndrome most commonly affects women, however it can also be found occasionally in men. Those patients suffer for long time from this debilitating condition until the diagnosis is made which is compounded by the lack of awareness from the medical profession.”
Mr Almallah also discussed the impact the painful condition has upon the quality of life of the sufferer, treatment options available, including medication, new therapies and in more severe cases how surgery may be required. He also discussed the difficulty in diagnosing painful bladder syndrome/ IC, and how methods for diagnosis can include urodynamics testing and keeping a bladder diary.
The importance of psychological support sufferers understandably require was highlighted and the positive effect of patient education and empowerment which is provided by the Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation charity support group, for which Mr Almallah is a medical advisor.
To see Mr Almallah’s presentation and also bite-sized chunks of the other speakers, please visit http://www.unravellingtheenigma.co.uk.
For further details on interstitial cystitis/ bladder pain syndrome and treatment options available at the Birmingham and Solihull Bladder Clinic visit the IC/Bladder pain section of our website.
To read Hannah Wheeler’s story on suffering with frequent, painful cystitis for years before visiting Mr Almallah at the Priory Hospital, please click here.