What is cystitis caused by

Both bacteria and damaged tissues can cause inflammation. Cystitis is more common in women due to their shorter urethra. However, both men and women are at risk for this condition.

Men may be at a higher risk for cystitis if they have an enlarged prostate due to retention of urine in the bladder. There are a few different ways to diagnose cystitis. Your doctor may ask for a urine sample to determine the cause of your cystitis and check for a UTI. Your doctor may also perform cystoscopy, or an imaging test to determine the cause of your symptoms. In a cystoscopy, a doctor inspects your bladder with a thin tube that has a camera and light attached.

Doctors can use the cystoscope to collect a biopsy of bladder tissue if needed. A biopsy is a small tissue sample used for further testing. Imaging tests are not often necessary, but they can be helpful in diagnosing cystitis. An X-ray or ultrasound can help rule out other causes of cystitis, such as a structural issue or tumor.

Antibiotics are a common treatment for bacterial cystitis. Interstitial cystitis can also be treated with medication. Medication for interstitial cystitis depends on its cause. It is more common for chronic conditions. Sometimes surgery can repair a structural issue. Sometimes you can manage cystitis symptoms at home, without taking medication.

These should not replace antibiotics if they are needed to treat a UTI. Common home therapy methods are:. There are other nonsurgical procedures for cystitis. Sometimes stretching the bladder with water or gas can temporarily improve symptoms.

Nerve stimulation can lower the frequency of bathroom visits and may relieve pelvic pain. And for cystitis caused by radiation or chemotherapy, medication can help flush the bladder. The outlook of cystitis is dependent on the cause of the symptoms. In general, the outlook for cystitis is good. However, it is important to treat the underlying condition as soon as possible.

Women should wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to prevent the spread of bacteria from feces. In addition, taking showers instead of baths may also help. Make sure to wash skin gently in the genital area. Women should empty their bladders after sexual intercourse, and drink water. Antibiotics commonly used for bacterial cystitis are nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin.

In older people and those with weakened immune systems, due, for example, to diabetes , have a higher risk of the infection spreading to the kidney and other complications. Most women are expected to have at least one incident of cystitis during their lives, and many will have more than one. Male cystitis is more likely to result from another underlying condition, such as a prostate infection, cancer , an obstruction, or an enlarged prostate.

Men who have sex with men are more likely to have cystitis than other men. In most cases of male cystitis, early treatment solves the problem effectively, but untreated male bladder infections can lead to kidney or prostate infections or damage.

Urosepsis is a term used to describe a type of sepsis that is limited to the urinary tract. It is a complication often caused by urinary tract…. Interstitial cystitis IC is a chronic bladder syndrome that causes pelvic or bladder pain and urinary urgency.

Many treatments are available for the…. Essential oils are popular home remedies for many ailments, but can they help to relieve the symptoms of a UTI? In this article, we look at the…. A urinary tract infection can affect the bladder, the kidneys and the tubes that link them. Usually caused by bacteria, urinary tract infections are…. Everything you need to know about cystitis Medically reviewed by Xixi Luo, M.

What is cystitis? Cystitis is a fairly common lower urinary tract infection. Share on Pinterest Cystitis is an infection of the bladder wall that can lead to ongoing discomfort. Share on Pinterest The prolonged use of a catheter can lead to cystitis.

Share on Pinterest Cystitis can be treated with antibiotics. Medically reviewed by Xixi Luo, M. It's not always obvious how the bacteria get into the bladder. But some things can increase the risk of it happening, including: having sex wiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toilet having a urinary catheter a thin tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder using a diaphragm for contraception What can increase your risk?

Some of these are outlined on this page. Not being able to empty your bladder If you're unable to empty your bladder fully, any bacteria that get inside may not be flushed out when you go to the toilet and can multiply more easily.

You may not be able to empty your bladder fully if: you have a blockage in your urinary system, such as a bladder stone you're pregnant, as the baby may be pressing on your bladder in men you have an enlarged prostate gland that presses on the urethra Menopause For women who have been through the menopause or are going through it, the lining of the urethra can shrink and become thinner because of a lack of the hormone oestrogen.

This can make the urethra more vulnerable to infection, which could spread into the bladder. Diabetes You're more likely to get cystitis if you have diabetes , a condition where the level of sugar in your body becomes too high.