7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

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Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Symptoms,

Treatment, Home Remedies
Reviewed By: Pramod Kerkar, MD, FFARCSI

What is Cystitis?
In ammation of the bladder is known as cystitis. This infection is a form of
bacterial infection and is also known as urinary tract infection (UTI). Cystitis or
bladder infection is a painful and an irritating condition and if left untreated can
become more serious with the spread of infection to the kidneys. Sometimes,
cystitis can result due to a drug reaction to some medications or radiation
therapy, or cosmetic agents like feminine hygiene spray etc. It can also be caused
by using catheter for long durations. Some illnesses may also result in cystitis.
Treatment depends on the type of cystitis and its cause. Antibiotics are the usual
choice of treatment for bacterial cystitis. Women are more prone to bladder
infections than men, as they have a shorter urethra.

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Classi cation and Types of Cystitis or Urinary Tract

Infection (UTI)
The Two Main Types Of Cystitis Are:
Community-acquired Bladder Infections: This type of cystitis occurs in
individuals who are not residing in a medical care facility.

Hospital-acquired Bladder Infections: Also known as nosocomial infections

occur in those individuals who are residing in a medical care facility like a
hospital or nursing home. They commonly occur in those patients who have a
urinary catheter placed via the urethra into the bladder for collecting urine.

Other Types Of Cystitis With A Noninfectious Cause Are:

Interstitial Cystitis: This is a chronic bladder in ammation, also known as
painful bladder syndrome. The cause for this is not known. Women are more
a ected than men. This type of cystitis is di cult to diagnose and treat.

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Drug-induced Cystitis: Speci c medications such as chemotherapy drugs like

cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide may cause in ammation of the bladder
when the broken-down components of the drugs exit the body.

Radiation Cystitis: Radiation to the pelvic region may cause in ammatory

changes in bladder tissue resulting in cystitis.

Foreign-body Cystitis: Presence of foreign body such as using a catheter for

long-term makes an individual more susceptible to bacterial infections and
tissue damage.

Chemical Cystitis: Sensitivity to chemicals present in certain products, such

as feminine hygiene sprays, bubble bath or spermicidal jellies can result in an
allergic-type of reaction within the bladder leading to in ammation.

Cystitis Associated with other Conditions: Cystitis can also occur as a

complication of other disorders, such as pelvic in ammatory disorders,
gynecologic cancers, endometriosis, diverticulitis, Crohn's disease,
tuberculosis or lupus.

Etiology and Risk Factors of Cystitis or Urinary Tract

Infection (UTI)
The urinary system comprises of kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra; the
function of which is eliminating waste from the body.

Bacterial cystitis occurs when the bacteria present outside the body enters
into the urinary tract via urethra and start multiplying. The Escherichia coli (E.
coli) bacteria are responsible for the majority of bacterial cystitis cases.

Women may su er from bacterial bladder infections due to sexual

intercourse; however, women who are not sexually active are also prone to
lower urinary tract infections as the female genital area usually shelters the
cystitis causing bacteria.

Risk Factors for Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) are:

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Men who do not have an existing predisposing health condition, rarely encounter
cystitis. Women carry a greater greatest risk for UTIs as they have a shorter
urethra than men and especially those women who:

Are sexually active as sexual intercourse may cause the bacteria to travel into
the urethra.

Use birth control like diaphragms, especially those which contain spermicidal
agents.

Pregnant women are more prone to UTIs because of the hormonal changes
occurring during pregnancy.

Other Risk Factors For Both Men And Women Are:

Obstruction with the ow of urine as seen in conditions like bladder stone or
enlarged prostate.

Changes in the immune system as seen in conditions such as diabetes, HIV

infection and treatment for cancer. A weak immune system increases the risk
of bacterial and also viral bladder infections.

Prolonged use of bladder catheters increases the risk for bacterial infections
as well as damage to the bladder tissue.

Signs and Symptoms of Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection

(UTI)
Constant urinary urgency

Burning sensation while urinating

Patient generally passes urine frequently but in small amounts

Hematuria

Urine may be foul smelling

Pelvic discomfort

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Feeling of a pressure in the lower abdominal region

Slight fever

Young children su ering from UTI may have episodes of daytime wetting;
however, nighttime bed-wetting alone is not likely to be related to UTI.

Serious Symptoms Requiring Immediate Medical Attention Are:

Pain in the back or sides

Fever and chills

Nausea

Vomiting

Very urgent, frequent or painful urination lasting for many hours or longer or
hematuria.

Investigations for Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urine analysis to detect the presence of bacteria, blood or pus in the urine.

Cystoscopy to inspect the bladder using a cystoscope. This helps with the
diagnosis. The doctor may also perform a biopsy for further analysis.

Imaging tests, although not necessary, may be done in some cases,

particularly when there is no evidence of infection found. X-ray or ultrasound
helps in excluding other serious causes of bladder in ammation such as a
structural abnormality or a tumor.

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Treatment for Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Cystitis caused by bacterial infection is generally treated with antibiotics.
Treatment for noninfectious cystitis depends on the underlying cause.

Bacterial Cystitis: Antibiotics are the rst line of treatment for bacterial
cystitis. The medicines used depend on the general health of the patient and
the type of bacteria found in the urine. If the patient is su ering from infection
for the rst time, there is dramatic improvement in the symptoms with a day
or two after starting antibiotics; however, depending on the severity of the
infection, antibiotics may need to be taken for three days to a week. It's
important to take the complete course of antibiotics prescribed by the doctor
so that the infection is completely eliminated.

For Recurrent UTIs, your doctor may recommend a longer course of antibiotic
treatment or refer you to urologist or nephrologist to rule out any urologic
abnormalities, which may be causing the infections. Women su ering from

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

recurrent UTIs bene t from taking a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual
intercourse.

Hospital-acquired Bladder Infections can be di cult to treat as bacteria found

in hospitals are usually resistant to the common types of antibiotics used for
treating community-acquired bladder infections. Due to this reason, various
types of antibiotics and various treatment modalities are required.

Postmenopausal women are more susceptible to cystitis. The doctor may

recommend a vaginal estrogen cream for this condition.

As the cause of interstitial cystitis is not certain, single treatment may not work.
For this reason di erent therapies used to alleviate the signs and symptoms are:

Medications can be taken orally or inserted directly into the bladder

Certain procedures can be done where the bladder is manipulated to improve

symptoms, such as using water or gas (bladder distention) in order to stretch
the bladder or surgery.

Nerve stimulation where mild electrical pulses are transmitted help in

relieving pelvic pain and also in reducing the frequency of urination.

For other types of noninfectious cystitis, avoiding certain chemicals such as found
in products like as bubble bath or spermicides helps in easing the symptoms and
preventing future episodes of cystitis.

Cystitis that has developed as a complication of chemotherapy or radiation

therapy is treated by focusing mainly on managing pain using pain medications
and lot of hydration in order to ush out the irritants in the bladder. Majority of
the chemotherapy-induced cystitis usually resolve after the chemotherapy is
nished.

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Lifestyle and Home Remedies for Cystitis or Urinary Tract

Infection (UTI)
Using a heating pad over the lower abdomen helps in minimizing pain and the
pressure sensation.

Drinking lots of uids.

Avoiding co ee, alcohol, soft drinks containing ca eine, citrus juices and spicy
foods.

Sitz bath for 15 to 20 minutes helps a lot in relieving pain and discomfort.

Never delay urinating if you have an urge to urinate.

After having a bowel movement, always wipe from front to back, as this
prevents the spreading of bacteria from the anal region to the vagina and
urethra.

Avoid tub baths and take showers instead.

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7/3/2018 Cystitis or Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)|Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

Always gently clean the area around the vagina and anus and avoid using
harsh soaps or cleaning vigorously as the delicate skin around these areas
becomes easily irritated.

After sexual intercourse, empty your bladder as soon as possible. Also drink a
glass of water to help ush out the bacteria.

Avoid the use of deodorant sprays or feminine products in the genital region
as they can cause irritation to the urethra and bladder.

Written, Edited or Reviewed By:

Pramod Kerkar, MD,FFARCSI
Pain Assist Inc.
Last Modi ed On: June 29, 2018

This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer

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