Cystitis – Symptoms and Causes

Overview

Cystitis refers to bladder inflammation, which often causes swelling, heat, and pain in the affected area. In most cases, bacteria cause this condition, resulting in what’s commonly known as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

These infections can be both painful and frustrating to deal with.

Without proper treatment, bladder infections may spread to the kidneys, creating potentially serious health complications. While bacterial infection is the most common cause, cystitis can develop from other sources as well.

Some potential causes include:

• Reactions to medications
• Exposure to radiation therapy
• Bladder irritants (hygiene products)
• Spermicide jellies
• Long-term catheter use
• Complications from other illnesses

Treatment options vary based on the underlying cause. For bacterial cystitis, doctors typically prescribe antibiotics. Other forms of cystitis require different approaches targeted at addressing the specific trigger of inflammation.

Signs You May Have Cystitis

Cystitis causes several noticeable symptoms in the body. You might feel a strong, ongoing need to urinate even when little urine comes out.

Many people experience pain or burning while urinating. Using the bathroom more often than usual but passing only small amounts each time is also common.

Some people notice blood in their urine. Your urine might look cloudy or smell stronger than normal. You may feel uncomfortable pressure or pain in your lower abdomen. A mild fever sometimes occurs with cystitis too.

For young children, suddenly wetting themselves during the day when they were previously toilet-trained can signal a possible urinary tract infection. However, nighttime bed-wetting alone typically isn’t caused by a UTI.

When You Should Call a Doctor

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• Pain in your back or side
• Fever with chills
• Feeling sick or throwing up

Contact your healthcare provider if you have urgent, frequent, or painful urination lasting several hours or longer. You should also call if you notice blood in your urine.

If you’ve had a UTI before and recognize similar symptoms returning, it’s important to contact your doctor. Additionally, call your provider if your symptoms come back after finishing antibiotic treatment, as you might need a different medication.

For parents, if your toilet-trained child begins having daytime accidents, contact their healthcare provider to check for a possible infection.

Men rarely develop cystitis unless they have other health issues. Any man experiencing cystitis symptoms should see a healthcare provider promptly.

What Causes Cystitis

Bacterial Bladder Infections

Bacterial cystitis happens when germs from outside the body enter through the urethra and multiply in the bladder. E. coli bacteria cause most bladder infections, though other bacteria can be responsible too.

Women may get bladder infections after sexual activity. Even women who aren’t sexually active can develop these infections because the female genital area naturally contains bacteria that can lead to cystitis.

The short distance between a woman’s urethra and the anus makes it easier for bacteria to travel to the bladder.

Risk factors for bacterial cystitis include:

• Female Anatomy: The shorter urethra makes infection more likely.
• Sexual Activity: Increases bacteria movement toward the bladder.
• Birth Control Methods: Some types, like diaphragms with spermicide.
• Menopause: Hormonal changes affect urinary tract health.

Non-Infectious Bladder Inflammation

Not all cystitis comes from bacteria. The bladder can become inflamed for other reasons:

• Interstitial Cystitis: This chronic condition causes bladder pain and occurs mostly in women. Doctors don’t fully understand what causes it, and it can be challenging to diagnose and treat.
• Medication-Related Inflammation: Some medicines, especially certain cancer treatments, can irritate the bladder as they pass through your system.
• Radiation Effects: Treatment of pelvic cancers with radiation therapy can damage and inflame bladder tissue.
• Catheter Complications: Long-term catheter use increases the risk of tissue damage and bacterial infection, both of which can cause inflammation.
• Chemical Sensitivity: Some people react to chemicals in products like:
  • Bubble bath
  • Personal hygiene sprays
  • Spermicidal jellies
  • Scented toilet paper
• Related Health Conditions: Cystitis sometimes develops as a complication of other health issues, including:
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney stones
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Spinal cord injuries

Risk Factors

Some people face higher chances of getting bladder infections or recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs). Women often experience these problems more frequently due to their anatomy. The female urethra is shorter, giving bacteria an easier path to the bladder.

Your risk for bladder infections may increase if you:

• Are sexually active – Sexual activity can push bacteria toward the bladder.
• Use certain birth control methods – Diaphragms, especially those with spermicide, raise infection risk.
• Are pregnant – Hormone shifts during pregnancy make infections more likely.
• Have gone through menopause – Post-menopausal hormonal changes can lead to more UTIs.

Additional factors that increase your risk include:

Risk Factor	How It Affects You
Blocked urine flow	Conditions like bladder stones or enlarged prostate prevent complete emptying
Weakened immune system	Diabetes, HIV, or cancer treatments can reduce your body’s defenses
Catheter use	Long-term catheter use can damage bladder tissue and introduce bacteria

Healthy men rarely develop bladder infections. For women, the physical differences in urinary tract structure make them naturally more susceptible to these infections throughout their lives.

Possible Problems

Bladder infections often heal without issues when treated quickly with the right medicine. However, ignoring these infections can lead to more serious health problems.

Some complications that may occur include:

• Kidney infection: If bacteria from a bladder infection travel up to the kidneys, they can cause a more serious condition called pyelonephritis. This can permanently harm kidney tissue and function.
• Blood in urine: Bladder infections may cause blood cells to appear in your urine in two ways:
• Microscopic hematuria – Blood cells only visible under a microscope. This typically resolves after treatment. If it continues, you might need to see a specialist.
• Gross hematuria – Visible blood in urine that you can see without special equipment. This rarely happens with common bacterial bladder infections but may occur more frequently in people who develop cystitis after cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation.

Ways to Prevent Bladder Infections

Preventing bladder infections requires simple but effective daily habits. While these measures need more research, healthcare providers often suggest several strategies to reduce your risk.

Drink plenty of water and other fluids each day. This is especially important if you’ve had radiation or chemotherapy treatments.

Use the bathroom regularly and don’t hold your urine when you need to go. After bowel movements, always wipe from front to back to keep bacteria away from your urinary tract.

Choose showers instead of baths if you get infections often. When washing your genital area, use gentle motions and mild soap to avoid irritation.

After sexual activity, empty your bladder soon afterward and drink a glass of water. Avoid using scented products, sprays, or deodorants in the genital area as these can irritate the bladder and urethra.

Cranberry Products

Cranberry supplements and juice may help some people prevent repeated bladder infections. These products contain a substance called proanthocyanidin. This substance might make it harder for bacteria to stick to the urinary tract walls.

Research shows mixed results, but cranberry might work for certain individuals who get frequent infections.

For most healthy people, cranberry products are safe to use. However, if you take the blood-thinning medication warfarin (Coumadin), be cautious with cranberry. Some studies suggest possible interactions that could increase bleeding risk, though evidence isn’t conclusive.

Important note: While cranberry may help prevent infections, it doesn’t work as a treatment for an active bladder infection. If you already have symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for proper treatment.