AD – This is a collaborative post.
Cystitis can happen to anyone. However, women suffer more than men because a woman’s urethra is shorter, hence, it is much easier for those bacteria to come up and cause a problem. Cystitis is an infection of the bladder caused mainly by a bacterial infection commonly referred to as urinary tract infection. In real terms what it actually means to the patient who suffers from it is that it is like being razorblade when peeing.
If you have experienced that burning sensation when urinating, you may probably be suffering from cystitis and it is important to immediately call the attention of a medical expert to check if you have it.
If you suspect that you are suffering from cystitis, chances are you are feeling some of the following signs and symptoms:
- A pressure in the lower abdomen
- Persistent urge to urinate
- A low-grade fever may be present
- A stinging sensation when urinating
- Frequently passing small amounts of urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Hematuria
- Severe pelvic discomfort
What Causes Cystitis?
A bacterial infection such as cystitis may cause pain or difficulty passing urine to its victim. Basically, this phenomenon occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra and start to multiply. In most cases, cystitis is induced by a type of Escherichia coli (E. Coli) bacteria.
Women usually get bacterial bladder infections as a result of sexual intercourse. However, there are still cases showing that even sexually inactive girls and women are susceptible to lower urinary tract infections as the female genital area often harbours bacteria that can cause cystitis.
How to Diagnose Cystitis?
In ruling out cystitis, your doctor will first identify other conditions that have similar signs and symptoms, such as urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, kidney stones, and cancer. Basically, your doctor will first perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms.
Your doctor will then run some tests such as cystoscopy, urine sample, and an ultrasound or CT scan of the pelvis. A bladder scanner will be utilised by your physician as it can determine the causes of urinary frequency, identify bladder distention, and bladder irritability. Many medical supplies provider, such as Emech Australia, provide highly effective and efficient bladder scanner that helps medical experts in detecting cystitis.
How To Treat Cystitis?
If you have any of the signs and symptoms of cystitis provided in this article, it is best to immediately seek medical assistance in order to determine if you are indeed suffering from cystitis.
Initially, your doctor will prepare several treatments that may alleviate the symptoms of bladder pain and urgency. Some of the treatment options your physician may conduct in relieving the symptoms of cystitis include:
Medications
Treatment for other types of cystitis depends on the underlying cause, however, your doctor will certainly prescribe you to take antibiotics because they are the usual treatment for bacterial cystitis. It is imperative to always follow the instruction prescribed by the medical expert in order for the signs and symptoms to subside and to make you feel better as a result.
Other types of cystitis, interstitial cystitis, for instance, can be treated through medication. This varies with its cause, however, and harder to treat because most physicians are not aware of its cause. Nevertheless, several remedies can still be performed to reduce the symptoms that come with it. These remedies include:
- Taking medicines that relax the bladder.
- Adapting a customised bladder training personally prepared by your physician which may include a change in the peeing habits.
- Avoiding certain foods such as spicy foods, and/or food high in potassium.
- Avoiding drinking alcohol, caffeine.
- Avoiding smoking cigarettes.
Surgeries
In some extreme cases, your doctor may have to resort in conducting surgery to treat your cystitis. Surgery is an effective way of repairing a structural tissue and it has been proven to be helpful in implanting an electrical nerve stimulator to help relieve interstitial cystitis symptoms. Your doctor will probably have this method in their mind in treating your bladder condition if it is already ascertained to be their last resort.