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Cystitis refers to inflammation of the bladder, generally due to bacterial infections. Cystitis is the most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), and is chiefly a problem that occurs in women. Men and children rarely develop urinary tract infections. The more severe form of UTI is pyelonephritis, in which the kidneys are infected.
Symptoms of cystitis would include a burning sensation or pain on passing urine, and the urge to pass urine frequently, even when your bladder is empty. Your urine may be cloudy and foul smelling, and in more severe cases, there may also be blood in the urine (haematuria). There is also often pain in the central lower abdomen.
Risk Factors for Developing Cystitis:
• Lack of fluid intake
• Sexual activity: The term "honeymoon cystitis" refers to frequent urinary tract infection during early marriage.
• Gender: Women, because of their shorter urethras, are more prone than their male counterparts to develop UTI. The urethral opening in women is only a short distance away from the anus, and this also increases the risk of UTI. Older men with prostatic enlargement are also more prone to UTIs. This is because the enlarged prostate presses on the urethra, obstructing normal urine flow, predisposing to bacterial colonization.
• Family Predisposition: UTI as been observed to run in some families
• Foreign Bodies in the urethra: The most common of these would be urinary catheters. People who require urinary catheters for whatever reason, are predisposed to developing urinary tract infections.
• Other Risk Factors: Diabetes, sickle-cell disease and anatomical malformations of the urinary tract which disrupt normal urinary flow.
Pathogenesis:
The bacterium E. Coli is by far the most common cause, being responsible for over 80% of community acquired Cystitis (and other forms of UTI). Other organisms are also sometimes responsible, such as Staphylococcus saprophyticus and enterococci.
What You Can Do To Prevent Cystitis:
• Drink plenty of fluids to ensure adequate hydration.
• Avoid resisting the urge to pass urine.
• Urinate immediately after sexual intercourse.
• Wiping from front to back theoretically reduces the risk of bacteria from the anus getting into the urinary tract, although this has not been definitively proven to be effective.
• Douches may irritate the urethra and increase the risk of developing UTI.
• Drinking cranberry juice has been found to be able to help prevent UTI.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis in uncomplicated cases is via a simple urine dipstick. Finding of white blood cells, nitrites and often red blood cells, would indicate a urine tract infection.
In questionable cases or more complicated cases (such as in pyelonephritis), the urine sample is sent to a laboratory for urinalysis (microscopy) and often times for culture. Urine cultures attempt to grow the offending bacteria causing the infection. Sensitivity to antibiotics is usually also tested.
'Red Flag' Symptoms:
You should see your doctor immediately should you have any of the following symptoms:
• Very high fever, with chills and shivering
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain or tenderness over the loin region
Treatment:
Treatment of cystitis is with oral antibiotics. Commonly used antibiotics include ciprofloxacin, bactrim and augmentin. Beside antibiotics, other medication such as a urinary alkaliniser and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (N.S.A.I.D.s) may be used to ease the distressing symptoms of UTIs.
Symptoms typically resolve fairly quickly with medication. You should expect to start feeling better within a day of starting treatment. Remember to complete all antibiotics prescribed by your doctor.
Upper tract infections generally would require intravenous antibiotic therapy.
The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
Please see your doctor for professional advice.
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