Cystitis

/cyou-know/

[der. of cyst-, with medical suffix -itis]

Cystitis is aninflammation of the bladder wall, often caused by a urinary tract infection.

Most cases of infection are caused by bacteria from the gut.

Cystitis most frequently affects women, from a young age to maturity, based on different triggers.

If not treated properly, it tends to become chronic.

SYMPTOMS

  • Urgent and unstoppable urge to urinate
  • Painful urination and “drop by drop”
  • Persistent burning
  • Feeling of heavy bladder
  • Sense of incomplete bladder emptying
  • Cloudy, foul-smelling urine
  • Lower abdominal pain and cramps
  • Sometimes, the presence of blood in the urine
33% Probability of being affected once in a lifetime
38% Likelihood of becoming a chronic disease
80% Cystitis originating from Escherichia Coli bacteria

SYMPTOMS

  • Urgent and unstoppable urge to urinate
  • Painful urination and “drop by drop”
  • Persistent burning
  • Feeling of heavy bladder
  • Sense of incomplete bladder emptying
  • Cloudy, foul-smelling urine
  • Lower abdominal pain and cramps
  • Sometimes, the presence of blood in the urine
Diagnosis

The diagnosis of cystitis is based on ananalysis of the symptoms, which may be followed by an in-depth examination using a specific urine test:urine culture.

 

A urine culture is used to detect bacteria in the urine from a urine sample and to determine the type of bacteria in order to determine a targeted therapy.

When it is not possible to contact your doctor immediately, a urine stick test can come to the rescue.

 

These are small strips, which, when placed in contact with urine, are able to signal the presence or absence of bacteria through colour variations.

Zoek je route
Causes

In most cases, cystitis results from a urinary tract infection caused by the presence of intestinal bacteria (Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella, Shigella, Salmonella, Proteus Mirabilis, etc.).

 

Generally, these bacteria travel from the external genitals to the bladder through the urethra (the tube from which the body excretes urine). In other cases, the bacteria reach the bladder through the kidneys or the bloodstream.

 

Once the bacteria invade the bladder, they reproduce at the expense of the bladder lining.

Prevention
  • Stay properly hydrated to promote diuresis
  • Reduce inflammatory foods such as sugars, saturated fats, carbonated drinks, sausages, fried foods, sauces, spicy foods, caffeine, or theine
  • Pay attention to intestinal regularity
  • Don’t hold your urine too long
  • Use cotton underwear
  • Practice gentle, intimate hygiene, avoiding aggressive detergents
  • Always use personal towels and disinfect them at high temperatures