Have you also had a urinary tract infection? This is about Acute Cystitis!

Do you also feel like you need to urinate frequently? Or do you experience burning or pain when you urinate? Does your urine sometimes smell a little bad or look dirty? These could be symptoms of a bladder infection, called acute cystitis . Shall we talk about this in simple terms?

What exactly is Acute Cystitis?

Simply put, acute cystitis is an infection of your bladder. The word 'acute' means that the infection develops suddenly and the symptoms worsen quickly.

So is this a UTI?

This is a question that many people ask. `UTI` (Urinary Tract Infection) is an infection that occurs in any part of the urinary system. Your urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. So, if an infection occurs in any of these parts, it is a `UTI`. However, acute cystitis is an infection that is specifically limited to the bladder. Do you understand? That means not every `UTI` is cystitis, but cystitis is part of a `UTI`.

Is this what blood in the urine means? (Acute Cystitis with Hematuria)

Sometimes, with this acute cystitis condition, you may have blood in your urine. Doctors call this hematuria . This can happen in two ways.

• Microscopic hematuria : This is when there are red blood cells in your urine, but they can only be seen by a doctor under a microscope. Your urine will usually appear light yellow or dark yellow.
• Gross Hematuria : This is when you can see blood in your urine. The urine may appear pink or red. If you see something like this, you should definitely see a doctor right away .

Who is more likely to develop acute cystitis?

It can actually happen to anyone, but people over the age of 65, especially women, are at higher risk.

Why do women get this more often?

There are several reasons why women develop acute cystitis . Let's see what they are:

• Shortness of the urethra:The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body. In women, the urethra is only 1-2 inches long. In men, it is about 6 inches long. Bacteria enter the body through the urethral opening (meatus). So, because this tube is shorter in women, bacteria have less distance to travel to the bladder. Therefore, an infection can easily occur.
• Location of the urethra: The urethra in women is very close to the rectum. Poop in the rectum can contain bacteria that cause cystitis. So, this close proximity increases the risk of infection.
• Sexual intercourse: During sexual intercourse, bacteria from around the vagina can enter the urethra.
• Some birth control methods : Some birth control methods can also increase the risk of this. For example, spermicidal gels, creams, and foams can irritate the vagina and encourage bacteria to grow. Also, when a diaphragm is inserted into the vagina, it can block the urethra and prevent the bladder from emptying completely when you urinate. This can allow bacteria to grow in the remaining urine.

Are there other risk factors?

Yes, these things can also increase the risk of developing acute cystitis :

• For those with urinary catheters.
• For those with diabetes .
• For those who cannot control their bowel movements (Fecal incontinence).
• For men with an enlarged prostate that blocks the urethra.
• For pregnant mothers.

Is Acute Cystitis Common?

Yes, acute cystitis is a very common condition. Roughly speaking, about 40% of women will develop acute cystitis or another urinary tract infection at some point in their lives. Women who are postmenopausal are especially at risk. This is because estrogen levels drop after menopause.When hormone levels drop, bacteria multiply more. Also, the vaginal tissue becomes thinner, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra. Approximately 12% of men develop this type of infection in their lifetime.

What are the symptoms of acute cystitis?

In this situation, you can expect symptoms like these:

• Always feeling like you need to urinate again as soon as you finish urinating.
• Burning or pain when urinating.
• Feeling like urine stinks.
• Urine that looks dark in color.
• Blood in the urine (Hematuria).
• Difficulty controlling urine (Urinary incontinence).
• Men may experience pain in the penis.
• Sexual intercourse can be painful.
• You may experience pain in the lower abdomen or lower back.
• Feeling tired.
• You may feel a slight fever.
• People over the age of 65 can sometimes experience mental changes or confusion .

What is the main cause of acute cystitis?

The main cause of this is the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) . This bacteria is normally found in our intestines. If we do not clean properly after defecation or if we wipe incorrectly (from back to front), this bacteria can enter the urinary tract. This E. coli bacteria is responsible for 90% of cases of acute cystitis .

Can stress cause acute cystitis?

No, stress does not directly cause acute cystitis . However, stress can worsen another bladder condition called interstitial cystitis (IC) . IC is a chronic condition that causes pressure, discomfort, or pain around the bladder.

Is Acute Cystitis Contagious?

No, acute cystitis is not a contagious disease. You cannot catch this infection from close contact or sexual contact, nor can you catch it from someone else.

How do you know for sure if you have acute cystitis?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and perform the necessary tests to determine if you have this condition. The tests that are usually done are:

• Urinalysis:This involves taking a sample of your urine and examining it for its appearance, chemical composition, and microscopic examination. The urine is checked for red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria. If these are present, there may be an infection.
• Urine Culture: This test can help determine the exact bacteria causing your acute cystitis . This will help your doctor decide which antibiotic is best for that bacteria.

Do you sometimes do other tests?

Yes, sometimes acute cystitis may not respond to antibiotics, or may recur frequently. In such cases, a doctor may also perform tests such as these to check for an infection or bladder injury:

• Ultrasound scan: This is a painless, external test that allows you to see your bladder and other parts of your urinary system in detail.
• CT scan: This is also a painless test. It can produce three-dimensional (3D) images of the bladder and urinary system.
• Cystoscopy: In this procedure, a doctor uses a special instrument ( cystoscope) to look inside your bladder through your urethra. Usually, a numbing gel is applied to your urethra so you don't feel any pain. Rarely, you may be given general anesthesia to make you unconscious.

How to cure acute cystitis quickly?

The best way to treat this quickly is to take antibiotics . Your doctor will examine your health, look at the type of bacteria in your urine, and prescribe the right antibiotic for you. Typically, women will take antibiotics for about three days for a minor urinary tract infection. Men will take antibiotics for about a week or two. If you are pregnant, or have other medical conditions like diabetes, or have a kidney infection, you will also need to take antibiotics for a week or two. The most important thing is to finish the entire course of antibiotics that your doctor prescribes, even if you feel a little better. If you stop taking them halfway, you may develop acute cystitis again, and it will be harder to treat the next time.

What should you drink when you have acute cystitis? Is it okay to drink cranberry juice?

If you have acute cystitis , you should drink plenty of water throughout the day. Drinking plenty of water will help you urinate more often, which will help flush out the bacteria that caused the infection. Many people think that sugar-freeDrinking unsweetened cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements may help treat or prevent acute cystitis . Researchers think that unsweetened cranberry juice or cranberry supplements may help. However, they are not yet sure exactly how cranberries help or how much to drink to be effective.

One popular belief is that cranberries make your urine slightly acidic. When urine is acidic, it's harder for bacteria to grow.

Another theory is that the nutrients in cranberries make it difficult for bacteria to adhere to the walls of the bladder.

However, be sure to drink plenty of water. Also , ask your doctor about cranberries.

What are the medications used to treat acute cystitis?

Acute cystitis requires treatment to clear up the infection. Antibiotics are a type of medicine that kills the bacteria that caused it. Your doctor will prescribe the best antibiotic that works against the specific bacteria that caused your infection. Some of the most common types of antibiotics are:

• Nitrofurantoin (Nitrofurantoin - Macrobid®)
• Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (Bactrim®)
• Fosfomycin `(Fosfomycin - Monurol®)`
• Pivmecillinam (Pivmecillinam - Selexid®) (This may be out of stock in Sri Lanka)

How long does it take to recover from acute cystitis?

You should feel better within a few days, or even a week, after you start antibiotics.

What happens if acute cystitis is left untreated?

It is very important to seek treatment if you have acute cystitis . If left untreated, you are at risk of developing other complications. For example:

• Sepsis (a serious condition similar to blood poisoning)
• Acute kidney injury
• Abscess formation
• Air bubbles in the bladder wall (Emphysematous cystitis)

These are serious conditions, so if you have symptoms, be sure to see a doctor.

How can I reduce the risk of developing acute cystitis?

You can reduce your risk of developing acute cystitis by following these practices:

• Maintain good hygiene: For women, because your urethra is short and close to the anus, bacteria can easily move from the anus to the urethra. ThereforeIt is very important to wipe from front to back after defecating. If you are on your period, change your pads and tampons regularly.
• Drink plenty of fluids: Drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, helps flush out harmful bacteria through the urinary tract. Try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water (about 1.5 - 2 liters) a day.
• Urinate before and after sex: This helps flush out harmful bacteria from the urinary tract.
• Consider another birth control method: Using spermicides and diaphragms can increase your risk of developing acute cystitis . Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods.
• Wear loose underwear and pants: Tight underwear and pants can trap heat and moisture in the groin area. Heat and moisture are the best environment for bacteria to spread quickly. Also, change your underwear regularly, and wear cotton underwear or underwear made of synthetic materials that absorb moisture. Cotton absorbs moisture, while synthetic materials dry moisture quickly.
• If you are postmenopausal, talk to your doctor about estrogen cream or pills. These medications can change the pH (a measure of how acidic or alkaline the water is) of your vagina and help prevent acute cystitis .

What to expect if I have Acute Cystitis? / How do I take care of myself?

With proper diagnosis and treatment, people with acute cystitis can recover quickly. Most people feel better within a few days. The best way to take care of yourself is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Again, it is very important to finish the full course of antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel a little better. If you stop taking them early, you may develop acute cystitis again, and it will be harder to treat the next time.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have symptoms of acute cystitis, you should definitely see a doctor. If your doctor has prescribed medication for acute cystitis , but your symptoms do not improve after a week, see your doctor again. You may need a different antibiotic.

What questions should I ask the doctor?

When you see a doctor, it's a good idea to ask questions like these:

• How do you know for sure that I have acute cystitis ?
• I have acute cystitis.Or, what other situation could I be in?
• How did I get acute cystitis ?
• What bacteria caused my acute cystitis ?
• How long should I take the medicine and how many times a day?
• How should I store my medicine?
• When will I get better?
• Do I need to come back for the tests?

What is the difference between Acute Cystitis and Pyelonephritis?

Acute cystitis is an infection of your bladder. Pyelonephritis is an infection of your kidneys. The same bacteria that cause acute cystitis also cause pyelonephritis . Here's what happens: The bacteria enter the urethra, travel up the bladder, and then travel up the ureters, the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys, where they infect the kidneys. This means that if a bladder infection (cystitis) is not treated properly, it can develop into a kidney infection (pyelonephritis). A kidney infection is a slightly more serious condition.

Final Take-Home Message

Acute cystitis is a very common infection that affects your bladder. It is especially common in women. If you feel that you have symptoms of acute cystitis , be sure to talk to a doctor. He or she will prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. The most important thing is to finish the entire course of medication prescribed by your doctor, otherwise the infection may come back. To prevent acute cystitis , drink plenty of water, stay clean, and practice good sexual hygiene. Keeping your urinary system healthy is very important!