Bladder Inflammation (Cystitis): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

 

Bladder infections can lead to inflammation of the bladder, commonly known as cystitis. The primary cause of cystitis is an infection caused by E. coli. Common symptoms consist of pain or a burning sensation during urination and increased urination frequency. Treatment typically involves antibiotics.

The medical name for bladder inflammation is cystitis (sis-TIE-tis). An area of your body that is heated and swollen is called inflammation. It may also be painful.

Cystitis typically results from a bacterial infection. We refer to this as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Bladder infections can be painful. If the infection spreads to your kidneys, it might become a major health issue.

Additionally, drugs or radiation therapy may cause cystitis. Cystitis can also result from things that sometimes irritate the bladder, like spermicide gels, hygiene products, or prolonged catheter use. Additionally, cystitis may develop as a side effect of another illness.

What is Cystitis Bladder Infection?

Urges to urinate, increased urination, burning or pain during urination, and black or odorous urine are all signs of cystitis.
Common symptoms of cystitis include increased urination, discomfort during urination, and changes in the color or odor of pee.

Urinary bladder inflammation, or cystitis, is typically caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria from the perineum—the space between your genitalia and rectum—can enter your urethra and ascend to your bladder. This results in symptoms that affect the pee.

Infections of the bladder are extremely frequent, particularly among women. Between 50% and 60% of women will get cystitis at some stage. Additionally, these infections often reoccur; between 30% and even 40% of females who suffer a bladder infection go on get another one.

Cystitis is less common in men. Their urethras are longer, measuring between 8 and 9 inches (20 cm), which explains this. They are significantly shorter in females, measuring only 1.5 inches (3 to 4 centimeters) in length. This makes it more difficult for bacteria to reach a male's bladder.

Many people are afraid to discuss the symptoms of cystitis. However, the most prevalent kind of urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bladder infection. Over 10 million visits to medical professionals are caused by UTIs in the United States each year. You're not by alone. You don't have to feel embarrassed because providers treat them consistently.

Also Read: Dysuria ( Painful urination): Symptoms, Causes, Treatment & Prevention

What types of cystitis are there?

 Cystitis comes in two main types:

•  Cystitis that is not complicated is modest.  It normally disappears quickly and doesn't pose serious problems.

•  Cystitis that is complicated is more serious.  It may be harder to cure if it spreads to your kidneys.

What symptoms of cystitis are present?

Typical symptoms of cystitis include:

• Frequent urination: Even if you don't pee much, you could feel the need to urinate frequently. Additionally, some people feel an intense urge to urinate that they are unable to control (urge incontinence).

• Pain or burning during peeing (dysuria): as you begin or finish peeing, it may burn or itch.

• Changes in your urine: It may smell foul or appear darker.

You may also get the following if the infection spreads to your kidneys (pyelonephritis):

• Chills

• Fever

• Flank pain

• Nausea

• Vomiting

What are triggers for cystitis?

The majority of bladder infections are caused by bacteria. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most prevalent. It enters your urethra and grows in your bladder.


The following other factors could raise your risk of developing cystitis:

• Congenital urinary abnormalities are issues with your urine system that you have from birth.

• Pregnant

• Menopause

• Foley catheter use

• Vaginal diaphragm use

• Using spermicides

• Engaging in sexual activity with multiple partners

• Constipation

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) and diabetes

Additionally, having previously experienced cystitis increases your risk of developing it again.

Are infections of the bladder communicable?

No, even during sexual activity, you cannot contract a bladder infection from another person. However, having sex can occasionally allow bacteria to enter your urinary tract and cause an infection.

Try these suggestions to reduce your risk after sex:

• Use a lubricant (lube) with a silicone or water base.

• After intercourse, pee.

• Before and after having sex and using a bathroom, wash your hands.

Causes:

The kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra make up your urinary system. Each contributes to your body's removal of waste.

Two bean-shaped structures in the rear of your upper belly are called kidneys. They control the quantities of several substances and filter waste from your blood.

Urine is transported from the kidneys to the bladder by tubes called ureters. Until you feel the need to urinate, the bladder holds onto the urine. The urethra is where urine leaves your body after that.

Bacterial cystitis

 UTIs are usually caused by external bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin multiplying.  A particular strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria is responsible for the majority of cystitis cases.  However, infections can also be caused by various types of bacteria.

 After sex, women may develop bacterial bladder infections.  Because the female vaginal area frequently contains germs that can cause cystitis, UTIs can occur even in people who are not sexually active.

Cystitis that is not infectious

While bacterial infections are the most frequent cause of cystitis, the bladder can also become inflamed due to a number of noninfectious causes. Here are some of the examples:

• Cystitis interstitial. It is unclear what causes this persistent inflammation of the bladder, commonly known as painful bladder syndrome. Women are most commonly affected. Diagnosing and treating the illness might be challenging.

• cystitis caused by drugs. Certain medications, like chemotherapy, which is used to treat cancer, can induce bladder inflammation as the drug's broken-down components leave the body.

• Cystitis caused by radiation. Bladder tissue may become inflamed as a result of radiation treatments to the pelvic region.

• Cystitis caused by foreign bodies. Long-term catheter use increases the risk of tissue damage and bacterial infections. Bladder inflammation may result from either of these.

• Cystitis from chemicals. Certain products include substances that some people may be particularly sensitive to. These could be spermicidal jelly, bubble bath, or personal hygiene spray. The bladder may experience an allergic-type reaction that results in inflammation.

• Cystitis linked to other illnesses. Sometimes, conditions including diabetes, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or a spinal cord injury can cause cystitis.

Risk factors:

Bladder infections and recurrent UTIs are more common in certain individuals than others. This issue can affect women. Physical anatomy is a major factor. The urethra is shorter in women. This reduces the distance that potentially infectious bacteria must travel to get to the bladder.

Bladder infections and recurrent UTIs may be more likely to occur if you:

• Engage in sexual activity. Bacteria may be forced into the urethra during sexual activity.

• Make use of specific birth control methods. A UTI is more likely to occur when using a diaphragm. Spermicide-containing diaphragms may raise the danger even further.

• We are expecting a child. Pregnancy-related hormonal changes may make bladder infections more likely.

• Have gone through menopause. UTIs are frequently caused by hormonal changes that occur after menopause.

Other risk factors consist of:

• Interference with urine flow. Conditions like an enlarged prostate or a bladder stone might cause this.

• Immune system changes. Certain diseases, including diabetes, HIV infection, and cancer treatment, can cause this.

• Long-term urinary catheter use. Older persons and those with chronic conditions may require these tubes. Long-term use can increase the risk of bladder tissue damage and bacterial infections.

Complication:

Bladder infections rarely result in problems when promptly treated with the appropriate medication. However, if left untreated, they may worsen. Complications could consist of:

• Infection of the kidney. Kidney infections can result from untreated bladder infections. Another name for this condition is pyelonephritis (pie-uh-low-nuh-FRY-tis). Kidney infections have the potential to cause irreversible kidney damage.

• Urine containing blood. You may have blood cells in your urine if you have cystitis. They are frequently only visible under a microscope. We refer to this situation as microscopic hematuria. After treatment, it generally disappears. You might need to consult a specialist to determine the cause if blood cells continue to show up in your urine following treatment.

• Gross hematuria is the term for visible blood in the pee. Rarely does this occur with common bacterial cystitis. However, if you develop cystitis following chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, this symptom can be more common.

How is inflammation of the bladder diagnosed?

If you experience cystitis symptoms, consult a medical professional. In order to identify bladder irritation, your doctor will typically request a pee sample.

They could do two tests:

• Urinalysis (pee test): Examines the appearance and contents of your pee.

• Urine culture: Determines the type of bacteria that causes cystitis

Treatment

 What is the fastest cure for cystitis?

 The fastest approach to curing cystitis is with antibiotics.  Depending on the type of bacteria causing your infection, your healthcare provider will select the right one for you.

 Depending on the severity of the infection, you might require antibiotics for three to 14 days.  Even if you begin to feel better, remember to take all of your medication.  The infection may recur and be more difficult to cure if you stop too soon.

Which antibiotics are used to treat it?

To treat cystitis, doctors frequently prescribe the following antibiotics:

• Nitrofurantoin 

• Sulfonamides, or sulfa drugs

• Amoxicillin 

• Cephalosporins

• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim 

• Quinolones, like Ciprofloxacin

How to treat cystitis during pregnancy?

Treatment is necessary for even minor UTIs like cystitis. Antibiotics that are safe to use during pregnancy should be used to treat it as soon as feasible. The infection can be treated to prevent it from getting to the kidneys. If UTIs are not treated, they may result in premature labor.

What differentiates a cystitis from a UTI?

What differentiates cystitis from other urinary tract infections? An infection in your kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra is known as a UTI. One type of UTI is cystitis. It is the most common type of UTI and is an infection of the bladder.
Causes, Signs, and Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

How can I prevent cystitis?

Adopting certain habits can help prevent cystitis:

• Drink lots of water: Getting enough water causes you to pee more, which helps your body rid itself of germs.

• Don't suppress the urge to urinate; just do it. Bacteria can develop if they are held for too long. 

• Always wipe from front to back after using the restroom. This aids in preventing bacteria from entering your urinary tract.

• Urinating after a sexual encounter helps remove any germs that may have gotten close to your urethra.

• Steer clear of diaphragms and spermicides: These birth control methods increase your risk of developing a UTI by upsetting healthy bacteria.

• Ask about vaginal estrogen: If you've experienced menopause, an estrogen-containing ring or cream may help reduce your risk of UTIs.

• Cranberry pills: By preventing bacteria from adhering to your bladder, cranberry supplements—not juice—may help prevent UTIs.

• Think about probiotics: Your body's healthy bacteria can be supported by probiotics. They might be particularly beneficial following menopause.

• Regarding methenamine hippurate (Hiprex®, Urex®), ask your doctor: Methenamine hippurate and other urinary antiseptics can inhibit bacteria from developing in your urine and prevent recurring UTIs.

• Speak with your doctor if you have recurrent UTIs: As a preventative step, your doctor may recommend taking a small daily dose of antibiotics or a pill after sex.

References:

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