Member-only story

Embarrassing Illnesses Cystitis: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatments

Alvin Bell

·9.5k Followers· Follow

Published in Embarrassing Illnesses Cystitis Signs Symptoms Treatments

4 min read · 2 weeks before

763 View Claps

47 Respond

Save

Listen

Embarrassing Illnesses - Cystitis - Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments

by Alycia Morris

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	174 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	11 pages

Cystitis is a common urinary tract infection (UTI) that affects the bladder. It can cause a burning sensation during urination, urgency to urinate frequently, and pain in the lower abdomen. Cystitis is usually caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and travel up the urinary tract to the bladder.

Signs and Symptoms of Cystitis

The most common signs and symptoms of cystitis include:

Burning sensation during urination
Frequent urge to urinate
Urinary urgency (feeling like you have to urinate right away)
Pain in the lower abdomen
Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Fever
Chills

Causes of Cystitis

Cystitis is usually caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and travel up the urinary tract to the bladder. The most common type of bacteria that causes cystitis is Escherichia coli (E. coli). Other bacteria that can cause cystitis include Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis.

Cystitis can also be caused by other factors, such as:

Sexual intercourse
Using a diaphragm or cervical cap for birth control
Having a urinary tract abnormality
Having a weakened immune system
Using antibiotics for a long period of time

Treatment for Cystitis

The treatment for cystitis depends on the cause of the infection. If the infection is caused by bacteria, antibiotics will be prescribed to kill the bacteria. The antibiotics will usually be taken for 3-7 days.

Other treatments for cystitis include:

Drinking plenty of fluids to help flush out the bacteria
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers to relieve pain and discomfort
Using a heating pad to relieve pain
Avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder

Prevention of Cystitis

There are a number of things you can do to prevent cystitis, including:

Drinking plenty of fluids
Urinating frequently
Wiping from front to back after using the toilet
Avoiding using harsh soaps or douches
Wearing cotton underwear
Using condoms during sex
Getting vaccinated against E. coli

Cystitis is a common urinary tract infection that can be painful and uncomfortable. However, it is usually treatable with antibiotics. If you think you may have cystitis, it is important to see a doctor right away to get the proper diagnosis and treatment.

Embarrassing Illnesses - Cystitis - Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments

by Alycia Morris

4 out of 5