What’s Cystitis?

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Cystitis is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of bladder infections. It can also be used to describe many different lower urinary tract infections. Cystitis, also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI), occurs when bacteria enter the bladder through the urethra, adhere to the bladder wall, and begin to multiply. At this point, the immune system becomes involved and the body begins to fight the infection. While this is typically not a serious disease, if left untreated and spreading from the bladder to the kidneys, a potentially harmful infection can take control.

Women tend to be more prone to cystitis due to their anatomy. Their urethras, which are the tubes that carry urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, are naturally shorter than men’s. About 20-40% of women experience cystitis at some point in their lives. The bacterium that most often causes it is E.coli, common in the intestine. The condition occurs when this bacterium makes its way up the urethra into the bladder.

Another common cause is urine retention. This occurs in people who have difficulty emptying their bladder completely. Urine found in the bladder is a breeding ground for bacteria. Hygiene is another factor and women should always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to prevent bacteria from the anus from reaching the urethra. Congenital deformities, especially in men, can prevent complete emptying of the bladder. Children with vesicoureteral reflux are also at risk of retaining urine due to formation of the urethra.

Catheterization is another common cause of the condition. Frequently changing a catheter can cause small tears to the tissue, providing entry points for bacteria. In general, catheters tend to regularly introduce foreign bacteria into the urethra.

Men with an enlarged prostate may be more prone to the condition because the prostate interferes with urination. Pregnancy is another factor that increases the risk, in addition to frequent sexual activity, of some sexually transmitted diseases and parasites. Postmenopausal women, as well as diabetics, are also at increased risk. Recent studies have shown that certain blood types predispose some women to more frequent attacks of the condition.

Symptoms include painful urination, burning when urinating, frequent urges to urinate, foul-smelling urine, cloudy or bloody urine, and a low-grade fever. Your doctor may soak your urine for a quick test or send you a urine sample to be cultured by a lab. Treatment is usually a course of antibiotics, including amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin. If frequent cystitis afflicts you, your doctor may refer you to a specialist or do more diagnostic tests on your urinary tract.

Prevention is simple: plenty of fluids, urinating after intercourse, and urinating at least every three hours are all good habits. Cranberry juice has been shown to have many benefits, including the prevention of cystitis. Taking a shower instead of a bath, in order to reduce the amount of liquid that composes it in the urethra, is also a good practice.

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