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Cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder. This is often confused with a UTI, which is an infection of the urinary tract, from the urethra to the bladder, to the kidneys. Therefore, when the UTI occurs only in the bladder, it can be the same as cystitis. However, UTI can describe infection anywhere in the urinary tract, whereas cystitis only pertains to the bladder.
Another type of cystitis is interstitial cystitis. It can also be referred to as painful bladder syndrome, and affects women much more commonly than men. It causes long-term pelvic pain, especially below the belly button, and problems peeing. Unlike regular cystitis, interstitial cystitis cannot be treated with antibiotics. Furthermore, they may have an inflamed or ulcerated bladder
Cystitis is most commonly caused by bacterial infections. Harmless bacteria that live on the skin or in the bowel may get into the bladder through the urethra.
Women get cystitis more commonly than men do since the length of the urethra is shorter in women than in men.
Other risk factors include:
For interstitial cystitis, there may be an intrinsic deficiency at the protective layer of the bladder lining, issues with the discoordination of the pelvic floor muscles, or immune system malfunctions.
The most common signs and symptoms of cystitis are changes in urination since the infection is happening in the bladder. These may include:
Other symptoms of cystitis include:
Cystitis in adults does not usually cause a fever. However, if a fever is present along with pain at the sides and lower back, then seek medical attention because these are also signs of a kidney infection.
In children, cystitis may cause fever, as well as vomiting and reduced appetite.
Several tests may be performed to aid the diagnosis of cystitis, such as:
Cystitis, when mild, usually clears up on its own after a few days. In some moderate to severe cases, you will need antibiotics to fight off the infection.
You should seek medical attention for further treatment if:
If antibiotics are prescribed, the usual course may be anywhere between 3-10 days.
For those with interstitial cystitis, pharmacological treatment may include:
If you have recurrent cystitis, then your healthcare professional may prescribe stand-by antibiotics for you, or in some cases, a course of continuous antibiotic treatment.
Continuous antibiotics are usually taken for a couple of months to prevent any further episodes of cystitis, and they are prescribed when cystitis occurs after having sex.
Other methods of prevention include:
For interstitial cystitis, prevention can involve:
Cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder, and a UTI is the infection of the urinary tract, which can include everything from the kidneys to the bladder, to the urethra. Therefore, while cystitis is a form of UTI, more than often UTI and cystitis are used interchangeably.
The most frequent culprit of acute bacterial cystitis is Escherichia coli.
Cystitis can be treated by antibiotics, and symptoms will improve within a day or two.
Mild form of cystitis usually resolves after 3 days, but if symptoms persist, then you should seek medical attention and the doctor may give you antibiotics, and to find out the underlying cause.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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