Cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder wall where your body part becomes red, swollen or irritated. It usually occurs due to an urinary tract infection (UTI) in most cases when bacteria enter the urethra or bladder and start to develop.

Signs and symptoms of cystitis:

Who is at risk for cystitis?

Cystitis is common in women since they have a short urethra. However, both men and women are at a higher risk for this particular condition.

Women might be at a higher risk if they:

Men may be at a higher risk when they have an enlarged prostate that occurs due to the retention of urine in the bladder.

Risk factors that are common for both men and women are:

When you should see a doctor:

If you find signs and symptoms related to a kidney infection, then it is advised to see your doctor immediately. Other factors include:

If you have painful or frequent urination that may last for many hours or even longer and if there is blood in the urine, then see your doctor without delay. If you have already been diagnosed with an UTI earlier and there are symptoms of an earlier UTI, it’s time to fix an appointment with your doctor.

Also, you should seek advice from your doctor if the symptoms of cystitis return after you finish the complete course of antibiotics. This means that you will require a different type of medication.

Some remedies for cystitis:

• You may take painkillers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to ease the discomfort.
• Drink water and other fluids that help to get rid of bacteria through the system.
• Try to avoid drinking alcohol for the time being.
• Do not indulge in sexual activities as this will lessen the chance of bacteria entering the urethra.