Cystitis Symptoms And Risk Factors

Cystitis

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. In most cases a bacterial infection is responsible for causing the inflammation, in which case it is considered an urinary tract infection.Cystitis is very unpleasant and sometimes painful, and can represent a real health threat if the infection spreads to the kidneys. In very few cases, the disease may occur as a reaction to radiotherapy, certain drugs or irritants such as intimate perfumes or spermicide gels.

Cystitis Symptoms

• Urgent feeling to urinate
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Involuntary loss of small amounts of urine
• Cloudy urine with a strong odor
• Pain, discomfort in the pelvic area
• Feeling of pressure in the abdomen
• Sometimes fever

Cystitis Pain

In young children we can talk about enuresis (unintentional bed wetting) which may be a sign of infection if: the phenomenon takes place even during the day and at night, or occurs only during the day. The situation of lack of control over bladder sphincter which is manifested only at night does not involve urinary tract infection.

Symptoms can be severe, but this must not scare you. The problem can be solved with a visit to your doctor and  appropriate treatment. To stay away next time, read on and learn what are the causes of this kind of problem.

Cystitis is described as an inflammation of the bladder, caused by the presence of germs in the bladder. It is a rather common condition and almost all women suffer from cystitis at some point. Men are not so affected . Men have a longer urethra, (the tube through which urine is eliminated), so pathogens have a longer way up to reach the bladder. Some people are more prone than others to infection of the bladder or recurrent urinary tract infections. One such category is represented by women. The main reason is the body anatomy of females: they have a shorter urethra than men.

Cystitis Risk Factors

Women who are prone to urinary infections are those who:

• Are sexually active – after intercourse bacteria reach the urethra more easily
• Are using certain types of contraception – Women who use the diaphragm in the high risk category for developing urinary tract infections (diaphragms with  spermicide substances increases the risk even further)
• Pregnancy – Hormonal changes during pregnancy increases the chances of developing bladder infections.

• Difficulty in urinating – this may be caused by conditions such as the presence of bladder stones or enlarged prostate in men.
• Changes in the immune system – this is most frequently in people who suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes, HIV infection, or those undergoing treatment for cancer.
• Prolonged usage of catheters in people who suffer from other conditions.