BALTIMORE -- What feels and appears like a bladder infection may not actually show infection on test cultures.

Dr. Marcella Roenneburg, a urogynecologist at Baltimore's Mercy Medical Center, said interstitial cystitis can cause the same pain and urgency as a bladder infection, but it's really a problem with the lining of the bladder.

"The lining gets leaky and allows urine to leak through into the muscle," she said. "It's irritating and creates inflammation of the muscle -- the discomfort and feeling that they have an infection."

Roenneburg said treatment can include medications and a change in diet. That includes drinking lots of water to dilute the urine's acidity, avoiding acidic foods and avoiding stress.

Roenneburg also suggested a product called "Prelief" for some patients. It comes in tablet and powder forms, and helps to reduce the acidity in foods and drinks, which might also be helpful to peope with acid reflux.

Stay with TheWBALChannel.com and WBAL-TV 11 News for the latest Woman's Doctor health updates.