Cystitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the bladder. Cystitis is more common in girls due to the short urethra, which does not form an adequate shield to protect against inflammatory pathogens. This is usually more of an inconvenience than a cause for serious concern.
Mild cases often improve on their own within a few days, but some people may have recurring cystitis attacks and may need regular or long-term treatment. Learn about the most prominent ones below:
Symptoms of cystitis
Symptoms of cystitis include:
1. General symptoms
The most prominent symptoms are the following:
Pain while urinating.
Feeling an urgent need to urinate immediately.
The need to urinate at frequent times.
Burning and pain when urinating.
Urine leakage.
The presence of blood in the urine.
Pain in the lower abdomen.
2. Symptoms that affect children
Symptoms in children include:
Stomach ache.
The need to urinate urgently or frequently.
Temperature rises to 38°C or higher.
Weakness or irritability.
Lack of appetite and vomiting.
Causes and risk factors of cystitis
Most cases are thought to occur when bacteria that live harmlessly in the intestines or skin enter the bladder through the tube that carries urine out of the body. The most prominent risk factors are:
1. Risk factors for the disease in women
Includes the following:
Sexual activity
Sexual intercourse can push bacteria into the urethra.
Use of certain types of contraception
Women who use diaphragms are more likely to get urinary tract infections because diaphragms that contain spermicidal agents increase your risk.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy may increase the risk of bladder infections.
menopause
Changing hormone levels in postmenopausal women are often associated with urinary tract infections.
2. Risk factors for the disease in men and women
Includes the following:
Interfering with urine flow
This can occur in conditions such as bladder stones or enlarged prostate in men.
Changes in the immune system
This can occur in certain conditions such as diabetes, HIV infection, and cancer treatment where a suppressed immune system increases the risk of bacterial bladder infections and, in some cases, viral infections.
Prolonged use of bladder catheter
These tubes may be needed in people with chronic diseases or in the elderly because prolonged use can lead to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection as well as damage to bladder tissue.
Complications of cystitis
The following is an explanation of the most prominent complications:
1. Kidney infection
Untreated bladder infection can lead to kidney infection. Kidney infection may permanently damage the kidneys.
Young children and the elderly are most at risk of kidney damage from bladder infections because their symptoms are often overlooked or confused with other conditions.
2. The presence of blood in the urine
In the case of cystitis, you may have blood cells in your urine that can only be seen with a microscope and usually resolve with treatment, but if blood cells remain after treatment, your doctor may recommend a specialist to determine the cause.
Blood in the urine that you can see is rare in typical bacterial cystitis, but this sign is more common with chemotherapy or radiation-induced cystitis.
Diagnosis of cystitis
If you have symptoms of cystitis, talk to your doctor as soon as possible and discuss your signs, symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may recommend certain tests, such as:
1. Urinalysis
For a suspected bladder infection, your doctor may order a urine sample to determine whether bacteria, blood or pus is present in the urine. If so, your doctor may order a urine culture test.
2. Cystoscopy
During this test, your doctor inserts a cystoscope through your urethra to examine your urinary tract for signs of disease.
Using a cystoscope, your doctor can also remove a small sample of tissue for laboratory analysis, but this test likely isn't needed if this is the first time you've had signs or symptoms of cystitis.
3. Photography
An imaging test is usually not needed, but in some cases, especially when no evidence of infection is found, imaging may be helpful. X-rays or ultrasound may help your doctor detect other possible causes of cystitis, such as a tumor or structural abnormality.
Treatment of cystitis
Bladder treatment methods include:
1. Treatment of bacterial cystitis
Antibiotics are the first line of treatment for cystitis caused by bacteria. The medications used and for how long depend on your general health and the bacteria found in your urine. Treatment methods include:
How to treat an infection for the first time
Symptoms often improve significantly within a day or so of antibiotic treatment, but you will likely need to take antibiotics for three days to a week depending on the severity of the infection.
Regardless of the length of treatment, take the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor to ensure this does not happen
Common types of bladder inflammatory medications are often resistant to a wide range of medications, which is why many different types of antibiotics and different treatment techniques may be needed.
2. Treatment of interstitial cystitis
With interstitial cystitis, it is clear that there is no single treatment that works best for every case. The medications used include the relief signs and symptoms of interstitial cystitis:
Medications given by phone or lines are administered directly into the bladder.
Therapeutic measures that alleviate the symptoms of side effects such as muscle pain, gas, or stomach bacteria.
Chronic stimulator, which uses mild electrical pulses to relieve joint pain and, in some cases, major urination disorder.
Prevention of cystitis
Protection methods include the following:
1. He drinks plenty of fluids
Especially what is required as drinking plenty of fluids is especially important if you are showing clear or therapeutic treatment especially on treatment days.
2. Urinate frequently
If he becomes angry with the need to urinate, do not delay using the toilet.
3. Wipe from bottom to back after defecation
These bacteria prevent their presence in the prostate area in terms of controlling the urine.
4. Wash the skin around the neck and lips
Do this daily, but do not use harsh soaps and do not wash the surrounding area as you may be cooperating with sensitivity around these areas.
5. Empty your bladder as soon as possible after intercourse
Drink an entire cup to help get rid of bacteria.
6. Avoid using scented and irritating materials
Avoid using antiseptic sprays or feminine products in the genital area as these can get into the medicine and bladder.
