Cystitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Cystitis is a bacterial infection of the bladder causing pain during urination and frequent urges to urinate. It is most common in women and is usually easily treated.
Wissenswertes über "Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)"
Cystitis is a bacterial infection of the bladder causing pain during urination and frequent urges to urinate. It is most common in women and is usually easily treated.
What is Cystitis?
Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder, most commonly caused by a bacterial infection. It is one of the most frequent types of urinary tract infection (UTI) and primarily affects women due to their shorter urethra. Men can also develop cystitis, although this is less common.
Causes
The most common cause of cystitis is the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), which normally lives in the intestine and can enter the bladder through the urethra. Other possible pathogens include:
- Staphylococci
- Klebsiella species
- Proteus mirabilis
- Rarely: fungi or viruses
Contributing risk factors include:
- Insufficient fluid intake
- Poor genital hygiene
- Sexual activity
- Hormonal changes (e.g., during pregnancy or menopause)
- Urinary tract abnormalities or urinary retention
- Weakened immune system
- Diabetes mellitus
Symptoms
The typical signs and symptoms of cystitis include:
- Pain or burning sensation during urination (dysuria)
- Frequent urge to urinate, even when little urine is produced (pollakiuria)
- Cloudy, foul-smelling, or blood-tinged urine
- Pressure or pain in the lower abdomen
- Occasionally a mild fever
If fever exceeds 38.5 °C, chills, or flank pain occur, the infection may have spread to the kidneys (pyelonephritis), requiring immediate medical attention.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically established through:
- Urinalysis: Detection of bacteria, white blood cells, and possibly blood in the urine
- Urine culture: Identification of the causative organism and antibiotic sensitivity testing
- For recurrent infections: ultrasound of the urinary tract or further urological evaluation
Treatment
Antibiotics
Uncomplicated cystitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Commonly used agents include fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim. Treatment duration ranges from 1 to 7 days depending on the medication. Antibiotic selection should ideally be guided by sensitivity testing to prevent antibiotic resistance.
General Measures
- Drink plenty of fluids (at least 1.5–2 litres per day) to flush bacteria from the bladder
- Apply warmth (e.g., a heating pad to the lower abdomen) to relieve discomfort
- Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol for significant pain
Herbal and Complementary Remedies
Certain herbal preparations (e.g., bearberry leaf extracts, cranberry products) are traditionally used as supportive measures. However, scientific evidence for their effectiveness is limited. They may help relieve mild symptoms but do not replace antibiotic therapy when a bacterial infection is confirmed.
Prevention
- Stay well hydrated
- Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
- Urinate before and after sexual intercourse
- Avoid tight-fitting synthetic underwear
- Avoid getting cold in the pelvic region
- For recurrent infections: consult a doctor regarding long-term preventive strategies
References
- European Association of Urology (EAU) – Guidelines on Urological Infections, 2023.
- Hooton, T.M. – Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(11), 1028–1037, 2012.
- World Health Organization (WHO) – Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) Report, 2022. Available at: www.who.int
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