Health Tips Facts- Cystitis Symptoms, Treatment, Pain Relief, Causes

Cystitis is bacterial infection which affects part of the urinary tract. It is caused by bacteria entering the bladder and multiplying.

Cystitis is an infection or inflammation of the bladder, is a lower urinary tract infection (UTI).

There are two types of Cystitis. One is “bacterial cystitis”, if an attack is due to an infection by germs or bacteria. Another is “non-bacterial cystitis”, if an attack is due to an infection by germs or bacteria.

Cystitis usually affects women; male suffers should immediately. It has been estimated that 50% of women suffer from cystitis sometime in their life.

The condition causes a feeling of needing to pee all the time and then, when you do, there is burning or stinging pain and you can only pass a tiny amount. The bacteria that cause cystitis come from the vagina, the back passage or the skin surface. In woman, the urethra - the tube from the bladder to the outside of the body - is very short, making it easier for bacteria to travel from around the vagina and anal area up into the bladder.

Cystitis can also be caused by bruising to the urethra, encouraging bacteria to thrive, as a result of frequent, vigorous sexual intercourse, horse-riding or riding a bicycle for long periods.

Symptoms of Cystitis:-

(1) A burning or stinging sensation while peeing.

(2) A severe, knife-like pain when you finish urinating.

(3) The appearance of blood in the urine.

(4) A severe dragging-down pain, usually in the front of the abdomen, but quite often at the sides and to back or down the front the thighs.

(5) The frequent and urgent need to urinate, although only a small amount of urine may be passed each time.

(6) A raised temperature and shivering attacks.

(7) Felling Sick.

Cystitis Treatment :-

(1) Drink plenty of water-8 glasses a day.

(2) Try placing a heated pad or hot water bottle on the abdomen.

(3) A mild painkiller may help.

(4)Try to live unsweetened yogurt-this contains "good" bacteria which help combat the bad.

(5) Avoid wearing tight trousers.

(6) Do not fight the urge to urinate, even if this is painful.

(7) Drink 2 glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice as this can help prevent bacteria adhering to the bladder wall.

(8) A warm bath will help give some pain relief.

(9) Take a Vitamin C tablet-this can help the immune system fight the infection.

(10) Avoid using perfumed products near the vaginal area as these can cause irritation.

Cystitis Causes :-

Dehydration, poor nutrition and ignoring the urge to urinate regularly can also trigger the condition. It is also common in early pregnancy, when the urethra relaxes under the influence of the hormone progesterone and infections spread more easily. Later on in the pregnancy, when the bladder is compressed by the growing baby, it is unable to empty completely. A small amount of urine may remain in the bladder and become stagnant, encouraging bacteria to multiply, resulting in an attack.

It is especially important for pregnant woman not to ignore a urinary tract infection, as it can lead to high blood pressure or an infection within the womb.