Cystitis - Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

Cystitis causes the bladder and urinary tract to become inflamed. It can cause symptoms like frequent urination, burning during urination, or urine with blood in it. There may also be pain in the lower stomach. These are vague symptoms so if you experience them, you will need to see your doctor in order to have a proper diagnosis.

Cystitis can be caused by the E. coli bacteria that grow naturally in the intestines. E. coli is spread to the urethra when you wipe yourself after urinating or excreting. Women who do not wipe the right direction, front to back, may cause bacteria from feces to make its way into the urinary tract. That bacteria then can cause an infection.

Sexually transmitted diseases like Chlamydia can cause cystitis and women are more at risk for the disease in particular. This is because of their exposed genitalia, which makes it easier for bacteria to get into the urinary tract opening. Sexually active women increase their risk of developing cystitis. Women going through menopause also have more of a risk of developing this condition because of the changes going on inside their body. Women who use a diaphragm or spermicide are also at a higher risk because they change the vaginal environment with these things.

Treatment methods for cystitis vary and include over-the-counter medications. Ibuprofen helps treat the pain. Bicarbonate of soda can help if there is too much acidity and it is the cause of the infection. Drinking plenty of water and taking sodium citrate capsules also work for some people. Some people find that taking cranberry capsules help but there is no evidence of that. These capsules are thought to keep bacteria from sticking in the urinary tract. A severe case of cystitis will sometimes be treated with antibiotics.

Sometimes cystitis is not caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics. Intestinal cystitis is caused by an inflamed bladder wall. You have to have your doctor do an exam to see if this is the type of cystitis you have. The exam may include testing a urine sample for bacteria or blood. If nothing is found, your doctor will have to figure out what is really going on.

Treating intestinal cystitis can mean changing your diet or using transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Rarely is surgery an option but bladder training (working on muscle control) is helpful. Your doctor will help you determine what treatment is right for your particular case of cystitis.