CYSTITIS

General Information

DEFINITION--Inflammation or infection of the urinary bladder.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Bladder; urethra.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--All ages and both sexes, more common in females.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Burning and stinging on urination.
• Frequent urination, especially at night, although the urine amount may be small.
• Increased urge to urinate.
• Pain in the pubic area.
• Penile discharge.
• Low back pain.
• Blood in the urine, bad-smelling urine.
• Low fever.
• Painful sexual intercourse.
• Lack of urinary control (sometimes).
• Bed-wetting in a child.
• Irritability in an infant.

CAUSES

• Bacteria that reach the bladder from another part of the body through the bloodstream.
• Bacteria that enter the urinary tract from skin around the genitals and anal area.
• Injury to the urethra.
• Use of a urinary catheter to empty the bladder, such as following childbirth or surgery.
• Structural defect in the urinary tract.

> Obstruction of urine in the urinary tract in men--

usually partial obstruction caused by an enlarged or inflamed prostate gland.

• Wearing poorly ventilated underpants.
• Sitting in bath water that contains bath salts or bubble bath product.
• Loss of suspension of female organs.

> Women should not douche and should clean the anal area thoroughly after bowel movements. Wipe from the front to the rear--

rather than rear to front (avoids spreading fecal bacteria to genital area).

• Wear underwear and nylons that have cotton crotches.
• Avoid postponing urination.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Urinalysis, careful urine collection for bacterial culture, cystoscopy (See Glossary) and ultrasound.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE--Doctor's treatment with medication.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--Inadequate treatment can cause chronic urinary-tract infections, leading to kidney failure.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Curable in 2 weeks with prompt medical treatment. Recurrence is common.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

• Warm baths help relieve discomfort.
• Women may pour a cup of warm water over genital area while urinating. It will help to relieve burning and stinging.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antibiotics to fight infection.
• Antispasmodics to relieve pain.
• Urinary analgesics for pain (occasionally).

ACTIVITY--Avoid sexual intercourse until you have been free of symptoms for 2 weeks to allow inflammation to subside.

DIET--Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Avoid caffeine and alcohol during treatment. Drink cranberry juice to acidify urine.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of cystitis.
• You have fever.
• Blood appears in the urine.
• Discomfort and other symptoms don't improve in 1 week.