Do you also have the urge to urinate frequently? But when you go to the toilet, you only go a little. Is there unbearable burning and pain along with it? These can be symptoms of a urinary tract infection that many people, especially women in our country, often experience. The medical name we give to this is cystitis. Many people are embarrassed to talk about this, but this is a very common condition. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
Simply put, what is cystitis?
Simply put, cystitis is an inflammation of your urinary bladder. It is a condition that causes swelling. The main cause of this is a bacterial infection. This infection occurs when bacteria, usually found in the area between our genitals and anus, travel up the urethra and enter the bladder.
Think about it, there is a special reason why this happens to women more often. That is the location and length of the urethra in women. The urethra in men is about 8-9 inches long. But the urethra in women is very short, about 1.5 inches. So along this short path, bacteria can easily travel to the bladder. This is why more than 50% of women have to experience this condition at least once in their lives. If you have it once, the chances of it happening again are high.
This is a very common condition, so don't be shy about talking to your doctor about it. Doctors treat patients like this every day. So the most important thing is to talk about it without fear and get the right treatment.
What are the main types of cystitis?
We divide this situation into two main categories, based on its severity.
| Type of cystitis | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Uncomplicated Cystitis | This is a common, non-serious condition. It usually resolves with treatment. Serious complications are rare. |
| Complicated Cystitis | This is a serious condition. The infection can spread to the kidneys. It can be difficult to treat. |
What are the main symptoms of this condition?
If you have cystitis, you may experience one or more of these symptoms.
| Symptom | How does that feel? |
|---|---|
| Frequent urination | You feel like you need to urinate all the time, but when you go to the toilet, you only pass a small amount. Sometimes you have a sudden, unbearable urge to urinate and can't stop (urge incontinence). |
| Burning and pain when urinating (Dysuria) | You may feel a burning or itching sensation when you start or finish urinating. You may feel a burning pain. |
| Changes in urine | The color of your urine may be darker than usual, perhaps even a dirty color. It may also have a bad odor. |
| Be careful! If the infection spreads to the kidneys (pyelonephritis), these symptoms may also occur: | |
| Fever and Chills | You get a high fever, and at the same time, your body gets cold and you start shivering. |
| Nausea and Vomiting | Vomiting can accompany a stomach ache. |
| Flank Pain | Often, there is a sharp pain in the lower back, just above the groin, on one side. |
If you have symptoms like fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain, do not delay and immediately see a doctor or go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
What are the causes and risk factors for developing cystitis?
Most of the time, this is caused by bacteria. The main culprit is a bacterium called Escherichia coli (E. coli) . This bacteria is normally found in our large intestine. It can enter the urinary tract through things like not cleaning properly after using the toilet.
In addition, there are several other risk factors:
- Having certain problems with the urinary system from birth (congenital urinary abnormalities).
- Pregnancy.
- Menopause.
- Long-term use of a Foley catheter.
- Some birth control methods, for example, the use of a diaphragm or spermicides.
- Having sex. (This is not a contagious disease, but there is a greater chance that bacteria can enter the urethra during sex.)
- Constipation.
- Diseases such as diabetes.
- If you have had cystitis before, the risk of it recurring is higher.
How exactly does the doctor find this?
If you have the symptoms mentioned above, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. He or she will ask you about your symptoms and will often ask you to take a urine sample.
Two main tests are performed:
1. Urinalysis: This tests the appearance of your urine and the contents of it (such as pus cells, blood cells).
2. Urine Culture: This test identifies the exact bacteria causing the infection, so that the most appropriate antibiotic can be given for that bacteria.
What are the treatments for this? What can I do to get better quickly?
The fastest and most effective way to treat cystitis is to take antibiotics . Your doctor will review your urine test results and prescribe the most appropriate medication for the bacteria causing your infection.
This medication is usually taken for 3 to 14 days, depending on the severity of the infection.
Very important: Even if your symptoms subside or you feel better, you should definitely take the medicine your doctor prescribed for the full duration. Otherwise, the infection may not be completely cured and may come back, making it more difficult to treat.
You should start to feel better within a few days of starting the medication. But if your symptoms don't improve after about a week, see your doctor again.
What should you do during treatment?
While taking medication, it is best to stay away from certain foods and drinks that can further irritate the bladder.
- Alcohol
- Citrus juices
- Caffeinated beverages (tea, coffee)
- Spicy, chili-heavy food
How can this situation be prevented from recurring?
Cystitis is a condition that can recur, so it's important to incorporate these habits into your life.
| What to do | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Drink plenty of water. | When you drink more water, you urinate more, which washes away germs in the urinary tract. |
| Don't hold your urine. | Go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to urinate. Holding in for too long provides a good environment for bacteria to grow. |
| Clean from front to back. | When cleaning yourself after using the toilet (with water or tissue), always wipe from front to back . This prevents bacteria from entering the anus from entering the urinary tract. |
| Urinate after sex. | This helps wash away any bacteria that may have entered the urethra. |
| Be careful with some birth control methods. | Methods like spermicides and diaphragms can change the balance of healthy bacteria in the vagina, increasing the risk of infection. If you get frequent infections, talk to your doctor about this. |
| Talk to your doctor. | If you have recurrent UTIs, your doctor may look for the cause and may prescribe a low-dose daily antibiotic as a preventative measure. |
We don't usually talk about our urinary habits openly. But if you feel burning or pain when urinating, it's not a good idea to ignore it. It means that there is something wrong with your body. So, don't be shy or afraid, see a doctor and get the right treatment.
Take-Home Message
- Cystitis is a common bacterial infection of the bladder, especially among women.
- The main symptoms are burning and pain when urinating, and the need to urinate frequently.
- This is treated with antibiotics. It is essential to take the medication prescribed by the doctor for the full duration.
- If you have symptoms such as fever, vomiting, chills, and back pain, the infection may have spread to your kidneys. Seek medical attention immediately.
- Drinking plenty of water, cleaning yourself properly after using the bathroom, and urinating after sexual intercourse can help prevent this condition from recurring.
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