Cystitis - interstital, interstitial cystitis, Symptom, Causes, picture, Treatment of Chronic Cystitis

Cystitis is a very common problem for women. whose shorter urethra (which drains urine from the bladder) makes them more liable than men to infections and other inflammations of the bladder and urethra.

Cystitis in women related to increased frequency of sexual activity. Some women are more prone than others to develop urinary symptoms associated with sex. In women the urethra and bladder base are very close to the front wall of the vagina, where they are liable to injury from friction during intercourse - especially if the vulva and vagina are not sufficiently lubr-cated by sexual arousal before penetration.

Cystitis is a common female problem. It is estimated that 50% of adult women experience at least one episode of dysuria (painful urination); half of these patients have a bacterial UTI. Between 2-5% of women's visits to primary care doctors are for UTI symptoms. About 90% of UTIs in women are uncomplicated but recurrent. Women who develop bladder and urethral symptoms almost every time they have intercourse come to fear sex. The fear cuts down their sexual arousal so that they are less well lubricated and more likely to suffer mechanical injury - the beginning of a vicious circle of sex and bladder problems. This can play havoc with a relationship.

Symptoms of Cystitis

Acute cystitis causes frequent, urgent and painful passing of urine. You get an urgent desire to empty your bladder, but when you get to the toilet you can only dribble out a spoonful, and it hurts! Within 10 to 20 minutes the urge strikes again. Sometimes there is a constant urge to urinate, even when you can't pass a drop. With severe acute cystitis there is also often pain behind the pubic bone; chills and fever; a burning or scalding feeling when the urine wets the genitals; and some times blood in the urine, which may smell unusual and be cloudy.

• Burning sensations or pain during urination.
• Frequent urination.
• Cloudy and foul-smelling urine.
• Pain directly above the pubic bone.
• Children under five years of age often have less concrete symptoms, such as weakness, irritability, reduced appetite and vomiting.
• Older women may also have no symptoms other than weakness, falls, confusion or fever.

Interstitial Cystitis, chronic interstial cystitis, hemorrhagic cystitis

One type of chronic cystitis is called interstitial cystitis, in which the deeper layers of the bladder lining remain inflamed causing symptoms after the infection or other possible causes have been eliminated. In chronic cystitis there is more likely. to be recurrent or ongoing lower abdominal pain. as well as frequency and urgency. Fever, burning and bloodstained urine are less common. The symptoms of cystitis are very distressing. particularly if the attacks are recurrent or the condition chronic. Apart from the pain. activities are severely restricted by the need to stay close to a toilet Frequent attacks can disrupt your home life and career. and lead to isolation. anxiety and depression.

Causes of Cystitis

Most acute cystitis is due to bacterial infection. A multitude of bacteria can cause inflam mation if they get into the urethra and bladder. Infection, allergy, immune disorders, some drugs, small bladder stones, or any condition that prevents complete emptying of the bladder may lead to chronic cystitis. In older men, a common cause of chronic cystitis is pressure on the urethra from an enlarged prostate gland.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Cystitis

In most cases the diagnosis of acute cystitis should be confirmed by laboratory examination of thp urine to identify any bacteria and !9 check their antibiotic sensitivity Antibiotics are usually prescribed at the first visit, especially if your doctor has tested your urine to confirm that it contains pus and blood It is important to checkwith your doctor when the laboratory report cOmesin to make sure that you are taking the, right antibiotic, which should start to relieve symptom within 24 hours. It is generally advisable to have a second urine test to confirm that the infec-tiob has cleared up completely.

Interstitial cystitis

Sometimes cystitis and urethritis are referred to collectively as a lower urinary tract infection, or UTI. Infection of the upper urinary tract involves the spread of bacteria to the kidney and is called pyelonephritis. Note that the following hints will help to ease symptoms, but that only antibiotics will cure the infection.

• Drink as much water as you can to dilute your urine and help flush out the infection.
• Empty your bladder whenever you feel the urge; never try to hold on if you have cystitis.
• Avoid coffee, strong tea and cola drinks (which contain bladder-irritating caffeine) and alcohol.
• Take something to make your urine alkaline: a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water, or one of the proprietary urinary alkalinisers your pharmacist will recommend.
• Avoid intercourse and using tampons until all symptoms have gone

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