Cystitis
Overview
Cystitis is a urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the bladder. It's common, particularly in women. It often gets better by itself, but may sometimes be treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cystitis include: pain, burning or stinging when you peeneeding to pee more often and urgently than usualpee that's dark, cloudy or strong smellingpain low down in your tummy Symptoms in young children may also include: a high temperature – they feel hotter than usual if you touch their neck, back or tummywetting themselvesreduced appetite and being sickweakness and irritability In older, frail people with cognitive impairment (such as dementia) and people with aurinary catheter, symptoms may also include: changes in behaviour, such as acting confused or agitated (delirium)wetting themselves more than usualshivering or shaking (rigors)
Causes
Cystitis is usually caused by bacteria from poo getting into the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra). Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder and cause an infection. Things that increase the chance of bacteria getting into the bladder include: having sexwiping your bottom from back to front after going to the toileturinary catheters(a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)using spermicide with contraceptionconditions that block the urinary tract, such askidney stonesbeing pregnantconditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder, such as anenlarged prostate glandin menhaving been through the menopausehaving diabeteshaving a weakened immune system
Treatment
If you have cystitis, a GP may: offer self-care advice and recommend taking a painkillerdo a urine test, although this is not always neededgive you a prescription for a 3-day course of antibioticsgive you a prescription for antibiotics but suggest you wait for 48 hours before taking them, in case your symptoms go away on their own If you keep getting cystitis, a GP may prescribe: a single-dose antibiotic to take within 2 hours of having sex, if you've noticed sex triggers cystitisa low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 monthsa vaginal oestrogen cream, if you have gone through the menopause In some women, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection even though you have cystitis symptoms. This may mean you have a long-term (chronic) bladder infection that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatment. Long-term infections are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.
Prevention
If you get cystitis frequently, there are some things you can try to help prevent it returning. wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet pee as soon as possible after sex pee as soon as possible after sex drink plenty of fluids, especially water – so that you pee regularly during the day and do not feel thirsty drink plenty of fluids, especially water – so that you pee regularly during the day and do not feel thirsty have a shower rather than a bath – this stops exposing your genitals to cleaning products for too long have a shower rather than a bath – this stops exposing your genitals to cleaning products for too long wash the skin outside the vagina (vulva) with water before and after sex wash the skin outside the vagina (vulva) with water before and after sex change soiled nappies or incontinence pads promptly change soiled nappies or incontinence pads promptly keep the genital area clean and dry keep the genital area clean and dry do not use scented soap, bubble bath or talcum powder do not use scented soap, bubble bath or talcum powder do not use spermicide with diaphragm or condoms – try non-spermicidal lube or different type of contraception do not use spermicide with diaphragm or condoms – try non-spermicidal lube or different type of contraception do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go do not hold your pee in if you feel the urge to go do not rush when going for a pee – try to fully empty your bladder do not rush when going for a pee – try to fully empty your bladder do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks or coffee – they may irritate your bladder do not drink lots of alcoholic drinks or coffee – they may irritate your bladder do not have lots of sugary foods or drinks – they may encourage bacteria to grow do not have lots of sugary foods or drinks – they may encourage bacteria to grow If you keep getting cystitis, there is some evidence you may find it helpful to take: D-mannose – a sugar you can buy as a powder or tablets to take every daycranberry products – available as juice, tablets or capsules to take every day Be aware that D-mannose and cranberry products can contain a lot of sugar. If you're taking warfarin, you should avoid cranberry products.