Description

Cystitis (sis-TIE-tis) is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. Inflammation is when a part of your body is swollen and hot. It can also be painful.

Most of the times, cystitis happens when there's an infection caused by bacteria. This is called a urinary tract infection (UTI). Having a bladder infection can be painful and annoying. It can become a serious health problem if the infection spreads to the kidneys.

Cystitis may also occur as a reaction to certain medications or radiation therapy. Things that you sometimes irritate the bladder, such as hygiene products, spermicidal jelly, or long-term catheter use, it can also lead to cystitis. Cystitis may also occur as a complication of another disease.

The usual treatment for cystitis caused by bacteria, is to take the antibiotic medication. The treatment for other types of cystitis depends on the cause.

Symptoms

Cystitis signs and symptoms may include:

  • A strong, persistent urge to urinate
  • Pain or burning sensation when urinating
  • Of frequent passage of small amounts of urine
  • Blood in the urine (hematuria)
  • Passing cloudy or strong smelling urine
  • Discomfort in the pelvis
  • A feeling of pressure in the area below the belly button area (abdomen),
  • Low-grade fever

In young children, the new episodes of accidental day dip can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). The night is urine in the bed alone is not likely to happen because of a urinary tract infection .

When to see a doctor

Get medical help right away if you have signs and symptoms of a kidney infection. These include:

  • Back or side pain
  • Fever and chills
  • Nausea and vomiting

If you develop urgent, frequent, or painful urination that lasts for several hours or more, or if you notice blood in your urine, call your health care provider. If you have been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection in the past and to develop symptoms that are similar to a previous urinary tract infection , call your provider.

Also call your doctor if the symptoms of cystitis return after you have finished with the antibiotic treatment. You may need to try a different kind of medicine.

If your child begins to have a day bed-wetting, call your pediatrician.

In otherwise healthy men, cystitis is rare. The symptoms, must be reviewed by a health care professional.

Causes

Your urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. All play a role in the elimination of wastes from your body.

The kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located toward the back of the upper part of your abdomen. They filter waste from the blood and regulate the concentrations of many substances.

Tubes called ureters carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. The bladder stores the urine until you feel the need to urinate. The urine then flows out of your body through the urethra.

Bacterial cystitis

Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria out of the body enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. Most cases of cystitis are caused by a type of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. But other types of bacteria that can cause infections.

Bacterial infections of the bladder can occur in women after sex. Even in those who are not sexually active, urinary tract infections can happen because the genital area women often hosts bacteria that can cause cystitis.

Noninfectious cystitis

Although bacterial infections are the most frequent cause of cystitis, a number of factors not infectious can also cause the bladder to become inflamed. Some examples include:

  • Interstitial cystitis. The cause of this chronic inflammation of the bladder, also called painful bladder syndrome, is not clear. The majority of cases occur in women. The condition can be difficult to diagnose and to treat.
  • Drug-related cystitis. Some medications, such as certain drugs used to treat cancer (chemotherapy), can cause inflammation of the bladder, such as the breakdown of the components of the drug leaving the body.
  • Radiation cystitis. Radiation treatment in the pelvic area can cause inflammatory changes in the tissue of the bladder.
  • Foreign body of the cystitis. The long-term use of a catheter can do bacterial infections and tissue damage more likely. Both of these can cause inflammation of the bladder.
  • Chemical cystitis. Some people may be more sensitive to the chemicals that are found in certain products. These may include the bubble bath, personal hygiene spray or gel spermicide. An allergic reaction can occur within the bladder, causing inflammation.
  • Cystitis associated with other conditions. Cystitis can sometimes occur as a complication of other diseases, such as diabetes, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate gland or spinal cord injury.

Risk factors

Some people are more prone than others to developing infections of the bladder or repeated urinary tract infections. Women can have this problem. A key reason is physical anatomy. The female urethra is short. This means that the bacteria that can cause an infection I don't have far to travel to reach the bladder.

You may be at higher risk of bladder infections or urinary tract infections repetitive if:

  • Are sexually active. During sex, bacteria can be pushed into the urethra.
  • The use of certain types of birth control. The use of a diaphragm increases the risk of a urinary tract infection . The diaphragms containing the spermicide may increase the risk even more.
  • You are pregnant. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase the risk of a bladder infection.
  • Have gone through menopause. Changes in hormones that occur after menopause can often lead to urinary tract infections .

Other risk factors include:

  • The interference with the flow of the urine. This can occur in conditions such as a stone in the bladder, or an enlarged prostate.
  • Changes in the immune system. This can happen with certain conditions, such as diabetes, HIV infection, and the treatment of cancer.
  • The long-term use of urinary catheters. These tubes may be needed in people with chronic diseases in older adults. The long-term use can put you at greater risk of bacterial infections, as well as damage to the tissues of the bladder.

In general, the healthy men, cystitis is rare.

Complications

When dealing immediately with the proper medicine, bladder infections rarely lead to complications. But if left untreated, they can become something more serious. Complications can include:

  • The infection of the kidneys. Treating the infection of the bladder can lead to a kidney infection. This is also called pyelonephritis (pie-uh-low-nuh-FRY-tis). Kidney infections can cause permanent damage to the kidneys.
  • Blood in the urine.With cystitis, you may have the blood cells in the urine. Often, one can only see with a microscope. This condition is called microscopic hematuria. It usually goes away after treatment. If the cells of the blood that still appear in the urine after the treatment, you need to see a specialist to find out the cause. Blood in the urine that you can see is called gross hematuria. This happens very rarely with the typical, bacterial cystitis. But this sign can be more common if you have cystitis that occurs after chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer.

Blood in the urine. With cystitis, you may have the blood cells in the urine. Often, one can only see with a microscope. This condition is called microscopic hematuria. It usually goes away after treatment. If the cells of the blood that still appear in the urine after the treatment, you need to see a specialist to find out the cause.

Blood in the urine that you can see is called gross hematuria. This happens very rarely with the typical, bacterial cystitis. But this sign can be more common if you have cystitis that occurs after chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer.

Prevention

Self-care measures to prevent repeated infections of the bladder are not well studied. Some providers, however, we recommend these tips for prevention:

  • Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Drink a lot of fluid is especially important after chemotherapy or radiation therapy, especially in the days of treatment.
  • Urinate frequently. If you feel the need to urinate, don't delay using the toilet.
  • Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. This helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and the urethra.
  • Take showers instead of tub baths. If you are prone to infections, have a shower instead of taking a bath may help prevent them.
  • Gently wash the skin around the genitals. Do this every day, but do not use strong soaps or wash with too much force. The delicate skin of this area can become irritated.
  • Empty your bladder as soon as possible after sexual intercourse. Drink a full glass of water to help flush out the bacteria.
  • Avoid the use of deodorants in spray, or products of hygiene in the genital area. These products can irritate the urethra and the bladder.

Blueberry

The cranberry juice or pills that contain proanthocyanidins are often recommended to help reduce the risk of recurrent infections of the bladder. Although the research in this area is inconsistent, there is some evidence that cranberry can work to prevent recurrent infections for some people.

Cranberry products are generally considered safe in healthy people, without any kind of medical conditions.

But as a home remedy, be careful with cranberry juice or cranberry products if you are taking the blood-thinning medication warfarin (Coumadin). It is possible that there is an interaction between cranberry juice and warfarin, which may cause bleeding. But the evidence is mixed.

Cranberry has not been shown to be an effective treatment if you already have a bladder infection.

Diagnosis

If you have symptoms of cystitis, talk with your health care provider as soon as possible. Your doctor can diagnose cystitis based on the symptoms and medical history.

When more information is needed for a diagnosis or a treatment plan, your doctor may recommend:

  • Analysis of urine. For this test, you collect a small amount of urine in a container. Your provider checks the urine for signs of infection, such as bacteria, blood or pus. If the bacteria are found, you may also have a test called a urine culture to check what type of bacteria is causing the infection.
  • The projection image. A test image in general, it is not necessary for cystitis. But in some cases, the picture can be useful. For example, an x-ray or an ultrasound can help your provider find other possible causes of the inflammation of the bladder, such as a tumor or on the anatomy of the problem.

Treatment

Cystitis is caused by a bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics. The treatment for other types of cystitis depends on what is causing it.

The treatment of bacterial cystitis

Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for cystitis caused by bacteria. Which drugs are used and for how long depends on your general state of health and the bacteria found in the urine.

  • For the first time the infection.Symptoms often improve a lot within the first few days of taking antibiotics. But it is likely that you will need to take antibiotics for three days to a week, depending on the severity of your infection. Take the pills exactly as directed by your doctor. Don't let the pills early, even if you feel better. This helps to ensure that the infection is completely cleared.
  • Repeat the infection. If you have recurring urinary tract infections , your healthcare provider may have you take antibiotics for a longer period of time. It can also be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders of the urinary tract (urologist or nephrologist). A specialist can check for any urologic problems that can be the cause of the infections. In some cases, taking a single dose of an antibiotic after sex might be useful to repeat infections.
  • Infections acquired in hospitals. Hospital-acquired infections of the bladder can be a challenge to treat. That's because the bacteria found in hospitals are often resistant to the most common types of antibiotics used to treat community-acquired infections of the bladder. Different types of antibiotics and of the different treatment approaches may be necessary.

For the first time the infection. Symptoms often improve a lot within the first few days of taking antibiotics. But it is likely that you will need to take antibiotics for three days to a week, depending on the severity of your infection.

Take the pills exactly as directed by your doctor. Don't let the pills early, even if you feel better. This helps to ensure that the infection is completely cleared.

Women who are past menopause may be particularly at risk of cystitis. As part of the treatment, your doctor can give you a vaginal estrogen cream. But vaginal estrogen is recommended only if you are able to use this medicine without increasing the risk of other health problems.

The treatment of interstitial cystitis

There is No one treatment that works best for someone with interstitial cystitis. The cause of the inflammation is uncertain. To relieve the symptoms, you might need medication to be administered as a pill that you take by mouth. The medicine can also be placed directly into the bladder through a tube. Or you could have a procedure called nerve stimulation. This uses mild electrical impulses to relieve pelvic pain and urinary frequency.

Surgery is the last resort, to be considered only when other treatments fail. The surgery might not work to relieve the pain and other symptoms.

The treatment of other forms of noninfectious cystitis

Some people are sensitive to chemicals in products such as bubble bath or a spermicide. Avoiding these products can help to relieve symptoms and prevent further episodes of cystitis. Drinking lots of fluids also helps to eliminate the substances that can irritate the bladder.

For cystitis that develops as a complication of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, the treatment focuses on pain management with medications.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Cystitis can be painful. To relieve the discomfort:

  • Use a heating pad. A heating pad placed on the lower part of your abdomen can also relieve the pressure in the bladder, or pain.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Avoid coffee, alcohol, caffeinated soft drinks and citrus juices. Also avoid spicy foods until the infection disappears. These items can irritate the bladder and make a frequent or urgent need to urinate worse.

For recurrent infections of the bladder, talk to your healthcare provider about ways that you can reduce the likelihood that you are going to have another infection.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have common symptoms of cystitis, make an appointment with your primary care provider. After an initial visit, then you can see a doctor who specializes in disorders of the urinary tract (urologist or nephrologist).

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment:

  • Ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as to collect a urine sample.
  • Write down your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the cystitis.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements that you take.
  • Have a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information that he said during an appointment.
  • Write questions to ask their provider.

For cystitis, basic questions to ask include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatment approach do you recommend?
  • If the first treatment does not work, what are we going to do next?
  • Am I at risk of complications of this condition?
  • Could this problem happen again?
  • What can I do to prevent this from happening again?
  • You should see a specialist?

Be sure to ask questions during your appointment, as it will happen.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask a series of questions, such as:

  • When did you first notice the symptoms?
  • Has been treated for a bladder or kidney infection in the past?
  • How much pain are you in?
  • How often do you use the bathroom?
  • Do you feel better after urinating?
  • Do you have low back pain?
  • Have you had a fever?
  • Have you noticed vaginal discharge, or blood in the urine?
  • Are you sexually active?
  • Do you use birth control? What kind?
  • Could you be pregnant?
  • Are you being treated for any other medical condition?
  • Have you ever used a catheter?
  • What medications, vitamins or supplements do you take?
Symptoms and treatment of Cystitis