Living with cystitis: Things you should know

Are we getting sick of having to deal with chronic cystitis? Well, fear not because we are here to break down the variables involved in dealing with this agonising issue.

Cystitis is referred to as inflammation in the bladder. Cystitis is, in fact, a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that has a potent effect on the bladder. It primarily affects women; however, men are prone to it too. Cystitis can also occur due to the imbalanced growth of bacteria in your body; these bacteria can cause extreme irritation, redness, or swelling. Certain medicines or supplements can also react and lead to bladder inflammation. Your condition might be acute or chronic, depending on your underlying illness.

Keep going through the article and discover what cystitis is. Here you will learn everything you need to know about cystitis:

Symptoms of Cystitis

The most common symptoms of cystitis are:

• Sudden urge to pee
• Stinging, pain, or burning sensation when you urinate
• Pee that is dark or cloudy
• Pee that is unusually smelling
• UTI infection
• Pain in the abdomen area
• Pain during sexual intercourse
• Blood in the urine
• A mild fever
• Reduced appetite and extreme weakness
• Discomfort in the pelvis
• Feeling of slight pressure in the lower belly
• Cramping in your back and abdomen

What Causes Cystitis?

Most possible causes of cystitis involve:

• Getting exposed to radiation
• Ingesting drugs
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Inorganic hygiene products
• Frequent use of a catheter
• Certain conditions like kidney stones
• Having a weak immune system
• Having diabetes
• Being pregnant
• Having already been through menopause
• Using spermicide with contraception

Types of cystitis

Cystitis is of two types; it can either be acute or interstitial. Acute cystitis occurs unexpectedly; however, interstitial cystitis is more severe. It is a long-term case and affects multiple layers of bladder tissue. Although acute and interstitial cystitis occurs because of an apparent cause, the cause, in return, determines the type. Here we have listed the types of cystitis:

Bacterial Cystitis

This type of cystitis typically occurs when either bacterium present outside the body enters the urinary tract or the bacterial growth becomes imbalanced due to specific causes. In any case, the infection leads to cystitis. Therefore, it is necessary to treat the disease in time to avoid the possibility of severe complications.

Noninfectious cystitis

Although noninfectious cystitis showcases less contribution than bacterial cystitis, it still causes inflammation in the bladder. Therefore it is further classed as:

Interstitial cystitis

The reason behind this long-term bladder inflammation is unclear. The condition is also known to be challenging to treat.

Drug-induced cystitis

Certain medications, particularly some chemotherapy drugs like cyclophosphamide, can lead to cystitis and cause severe inflammation in the bladder.

Radiation cystitis

Radiation treatment of the pelvic girdle can lead to inflammation in the bladder tissue.

Foreign-body cystitis

Long-term catheter use may also result in inflammation by introducing foreign objects into the body, causing tissue damage.

Chemical cystitis

Some people may react to chemicals contained in certain inorganic products, such as bubble baths or certain feminine hygiene sprays, and may develop an allergic-type reaction within the bladder, causing inflammation.

Cystitis associated with other conditions:

Cystitis may sometimes be a complication of other disorders, such as diabetes and kidney stones.

Am I at risk for cystitis?

Both men and women can be at risk for cystitis; risk factors include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• HIV
• Kidney stones
• Diabetes
• Spinal damages
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Diagnosis  

A few common ways to diagnose cystitis depend on the severity of the illness. In addition, your doctor may take specific tests considering the indications and symptoms caused by cystitis.

Cystoscopy

For this test, the doctor scrutinizes the bladder by inserting a thin (about the width of a pencil) tube with a camera attached to it to look for signs of disease. The doctors may also remove a small amount of tissue for detailed lab analysis.

Imaging

This test is required when no apparent sign of the disease is found. Imaging may also help rule out other causes of cystitis.

Urine analysis

Urine is sent to the lab for analysis to determine whether bacteria, puss, or blood is in your urine. It helps in ruling out possibilities.

Treatment

Treatment for cystitis depends upon the underlying cause:

Antibiotics

Initially, antibiotics are used for the treatment of cystitis. The dosage of drugs depends upon how critical your state is. Medication for cystitis also generally depends on its cause.

Surgeries

Surgeries can treat cystitis too. They are generally recommended when the condition is chronic. In some cases, surgeries can also repair structural tissue.

Home Remedies

It can help to:

• Drink plenty of water
• It is good to place a hot water bottle over your stomach
• Pee frequently rather than holding it
• Use over-the-counter pain relievers
• Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitted clothes
• Drink cranberry juice or ingest cranberry tablets
• Take paracetamol for up to 4 days to relieve pain

Prevention

Here are some things you can do to prevent cystitis:

Do

• Always clean from front to back when you go to the toilet

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and cranberry juice
• Prefer to take a shower rather than a bath
• Change incontinence pads promptly for good hygiene
• Keep the genital area clean and dry

Don’t

• Do not use bubble bath or scented soap
• If you have an urge, do not hold your pee
• It is better to avoid alcoholic drinks or coffee as they may aggravate your condition.
• Do not eat lots of sugary foods or drinks, as they may encourage bacteria to propagate.

Outlook

The outlook of cystitis is dependent on the cause and the treatment. Generally speaking, the outlook for cystitis is decent. However, you must get diagnosed and treat the condition as soon as possible to avoid any further complications. If you experience any symptoms, immediately consult your doctor.

Conclusion

Cystitis is referred to as inflammation in the bladder. It is a type of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) that strongly affects the bladder. It mainly affects women; however, men are prone to it too. If a person has mild symptoms, cystitis might be cured using antibiotics and home remedies. But if it does not resolve independently, it may require medical treatment.

More complicated types of cystitis require different treatments and can cause severe issues without medicine. Therefore, people must consult their doctor or a medic if they think they may have cystitis for the first time.