What is cystitis remedies symptoms prevention treatment causes diagnosis

Cystitis usually occurs when the urethra and bladder, which are normally sterile, or microbe-free, become infected with bacteria.

Bacteria fasten to the lining of the bladder and cause the area to become irritated and inflamed.

Cystitis affects people of both sexes and all ages. It is more common among females than males because women have shorter urethras.

Around 80 percent of all urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria from the bowel that reach the urinary tract.

Most of these bacteria form part of the healthy intestinal flora, but once they enter the sterile space in the urethra and bladder, they can cause a UTI.

UTIs are the most common hospital-acquired infections in the United States (U.S.), especially among patients using urinary catheters.

The following are common signs and symptoms of cystitis:

• traces of blood in the urine


• dark, cloudy, or strong-smelling urine


• pain just above the pubic bone, in the lower back, or in the abdomen


• burning sensation when urinating


• urinating frequently or feeling the need to urinate frequently

Elderly individuals may feel weak and feverish but have none of the other symptoms mentioned above. They may also present with altered mental status.

There is a frequent need to urinate, but only small amounts of urine are passed each time.

When children have cystitis, they may have any of the symptoms listed above, plus vomiting and general weakness.

Some other illnesses or conditions have similar symptoms to cystitis, these include:

• urethritis, or inflammation of the urethra


• bladder pain syndrome


• prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate gland


• benign prostatic hyperplasia, in men


• lower urinary tract syndrome


• gonorrhea


• chlamydia


• candida, or thrush

Risk factors include:

• Tampon use: When inserting a tampon, there is a slight risk of bacteria entering via the urethra.


• Inserting, changing, or prolonged use of a urinary catheter: There is a chance the catheter will carry bacteria along the urinary tract.


• Diaphragm for birth control: There is a higher incidence of cystitis among women who use the diaphragm with spermicides, compared with sexually active women who do not use one.


• Full bladder: If the bladder is not emptied completely, it creates an environment for bacteria to multiply. This is fairly common among pregnant women or men whose prostates are enlarged.


• Sexual activity: Sexually active women have a higher risk of bacteria entering via the urethra.


• Blockage in part of the urinary system that prevents the flow of urine.


• Other bladder or kidney problems.


• Frequent or vigorous sex: This increases the chances of physical damage, which in turn increases the likelihood of cystitis. This is sometimes called honeymoon cystitis.


• Falling estrogen levels: During menopause, estrogen levels drop, and the lining of a woman’s urethra gets thinner. The thinner the lining becomes, the higher the chances are of infection and damage. After menopause, the risk is higher.


• Gender: A woman’s urethra opening is nearer the anus than a man’s, so there is a higher risk of bacteria from the intestines entering the urethra.


• Mucus reduction: During menopause, women produce less mucus in the vaginal area. This mucus normally acts as a protective layer against bacteria.


• Radiotherapy: Damage to the bladder can cause late radiation cystitis.

Women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have a lower risk of developing cystitis compared with menopausal women not on HRT. However, HRT has its own set of risks, so it is not routinely used for the treatment of infectious cystitis in post-menopausal women.