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Common Cystitis

By Tess Thompson

Cystitis is a type of urinary tract infections where the bladder gets inflamed on being infected with bacteria or viruses. Cystitis ranks as second largest type of infection after respiratory infection with an estimated single occurrence in nearly 10 to 20 percent of women. Out of this percentage at least eighty percent have recurrent cystitis.

Although ninety percent of all UTI is caused by the bacteria E. Coli, cystitis is known to occur due to fungus or a virus too. If left unchecked for longer periods, cystitis takes a serious shape as it ascends and affects kidneys. E. Coli normally inhabit intestines and bowel without doing any damage to the urinary tract but if it finds it way to the bladder, it causes infection of the bladder, necessitating urinary tract infection cure.

The major symptoms of cystitis include an urgent and irrepressible need to urinate, difficulty in urination, and a painful burning feeling (dysuria) sometimes accompanied by mild fever.

Although cystitis occurs in men also, women are more prone to it as with all other forms of UTI and account for the majority of visits to the doctor for bladder infection treatment. The reasons behind the vulnerability of women to cystitis are the same as with other UTI.

A shorter urethra and the proximity to the anus are the main reasons that require a higher level of personal hygiene. Cystitis is also commonly termed as “honeymoon cystitis” as sexual intercourse by sexually active women is also among the reasons that can cause it.

Another reason behind women being more susceptible to UTI and cystitis is genetic transmission. It is found that the presence of blood antigens called the Lewis groups in women may be the cause of increased vulnerability.

Even an ill fitted diaphragm can restrict normal flow of urine and cause recurrent cystitis in women. Men with an enlarged prostate gland too run a greater risk of cystitis and UTI since an enlarged prostrate also curbs the normal flow of urine and increases the retention of urine in the bladder that can cause bacteria to grow and infect the bladder.

Self-treatment for cystitis is not recommended, as all antibiotic do not prove effective in all cases. Bladder infection treatment for cystitis depends on the antibiotic sensitivity, which in turn depends upon the patients history and geographical area in which the urinary tract infection cure is required.