Bladder Cystitis Symptoms, Causes And Treatment
Cystitis is a common inflammation of the bladder caused by infection or irritation. Bladder cystitis is most common in women, although men and children do suffer from cystitis symptoms as well.
Bladder Cystitis Symptoms
Cystitis symptoms may include one or more of the following symptoms:
• Stinging or burning while urinating.
• Frequent urination (more frequently than you usually do)
• Cloudy urine. Normal urine is clear yellow. Urine that has particles making it cloudy may indicate that white blood cells are in the urine. This may indicate a lower urinary tract infection (lower UTI).
• Obvious red blood in the urine.
• Dark colored urine (slightly rust colored to dark red amber). Normal urine is a straw yellow color. If urine is darker it may indicate the presence of blood.
• Pain in the lower abdomen and back.
• Fatigue and feeling ill.
Causes of Cystitis Symptoms
Consuming caffeine, medications or foods and smoking can cause bladder cystitis caused from irritation to the bladder. All of these can irritate the lining when excreted from the kidneys into the bladder. Some patients may have a bladder lining that is sensitive to irritants that makes them more prone to cystitis symptoms. Using perfumed soaps, powders and hygiene spays can irritate the urethra and cause cystitis symptoms.
Cystitis symptoms caused by inflammation due to infection is most often caused by bacteria (E.Coli) that enter through the urethra (opening that passes urine from the body) and travel to the bladder. E.Coli is bacteria normally found in the bowels.
Due to the close proximity of the female vagina to the anus, E.Coli bacteria are more easily transmitted to the urethra. The female urethra is also shorter, allowing bacteria a quicker path of travel to the bladder versus the male urethra.
There are several ways bacteria can enter the urethra and produce cystitis symptoms. These routes include:
• Sexual Intercourse-Your incidence increases the more frequently you engage in sexual intercourse.
• Using a diaphragm or spermicidal condoms for contraception
• Urinary catheter- Placement of a urinary catheter can introduce bacteria into the bladder and give a travel route for bacteria to the urethra.
• Diabetes- once bacteria travel to the bladder, they need an environment to grow in. Diabetic patients commonly have sugar in their urine that is ideal for bacteria to reproduce and grow in.
• Any condition that does not allow you to empty your bladder completely can provide bacteria with urine to grow in. Some of these conditions include pregnancy, kidney stones and an enlarged prostate in men.
Treatment of Cystitis Symptoms
Many times cystitis symptoms will resolve themselves after a few days. You can help this process by drinking plenty of fluids, making you urine less conducive to bacteria growth by drinking a glass of water with half a teaspoon of baking soda in it, and take an over the counter pain reliever to reduce discomfort.
If cystitis symptoms do not resolve in two to three days, or any of the following apply to you, consult your physician:
• You have blood in your urine
• You are pregnant, over 65, or a child.
• You have diabetes.
• Cystitis symptoms keep coming back.
• You have other bladder problems
• You have severe lower back pain or abdominal pain
Generally, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you to take to resolve you bladder cystitis.
