Cystitis is a condition in which the bladder becomes inflamed, swollen, irritated, red, or tender. It is a condition indicating bladder pressure and pain in the pelvic area. The pain ranges from mild to severe.
Your bladder is a hollow and muscular organ that stores urine until it is excreted out. The bladder expands until it is full, and only then it sends signals to the brain that it is time to urinate with the help of pelvic nerves. This process creates the urge to pass the urine.
With interstitial cystitis, there are mixed-up signals. You may feel the need to urinate often but pass only smaller volumes of urine than regular.
It is believed that UTI manifests as cystitis. A urinary tract infection begins when the bacteria enter the bladder or urethra and begin to multiply or spread. The less common cause include natural bacteria in the body growing abnormally. This leads to inflammation once the infection has developed.
Cystitis could also be due to certain drugs or medication overuse and improper hygiene practices that lead to inflammation.
The condition can affect anyone, but it occurs most often in women. It can affect the quality of life in the long run. Treatment for cystitis depends on the underlying cause of the disease.
What are the symptoms of cystitis?
The symptoms of cystitis vary from person to person. The symptoms may come and go over time in response to triggers, such as during mensuration, sexual activities, stress, sitting for a long time.
Interstitial cystitis signs and symptoms include:
- Pain in your pelvis or between the vagina
- Pain in the anus in women
- Pain between the scrotum and anus in men
- An urgent need to urinate frequently
- Urinating little than usual
- Pain or discomfort while the bladder fills and relief after urinating.
- Pain during sexual intercourse
The signs of cystitis are similar to that of a longstanding urinary tract infection, but there is no infection in cystitis. If you do get both the conditions simultaneously, the symptoms may worsen.
When to see a doctor
If you are experiencing the signs of cystitis, such as urinary urgency or painful urination, seek immediate medical intervention.
The following are the signs you need to worry about:
- Back or side pain
- Fever and chills
- Nausea and vomiting
What are the types of cystitis?
Cystitis can be of two types:
Acute cystitis: Acute cystitis has a sudden onset.
Interstitial cystitis: It is a chronic or long-term case of cystitis that affects layers of bladder tissue.
Both acute and interstitial cystitis have different causes linked to them.
Bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis occurs when the bacteria enter your urethra or bladder and triggers an infection. The other possible reason could be an imbalance in the normal growing bacteria in the body. The possible result could be cystitis or inflammation in your bladder.
Chemical cystitis
Chemical irritants can also put the person at risk of cystitis by irritating the bladder. Some of the products that cause chemical cystitis may include:
- chemicals from a bubble bath
- feminine hygiene sprays
- spermicidal jellies
- use of a diaphragm with spermicide
Drug-induced cystitis
Certain drugs or medications may cause inflammation in the bladder. When we consume medications, the waste exits through the body in the form of urine. Some medicines can naturally irritate the bladder as they pass through the urinary system.
Radiation cystitis
Radiation therapies are used in the treatment of cancer. But meanwhile, in the process of destroying cancer cells, the healthy cells also get damaged. Radiation therapy in the areas around the pelvis may cause the bladder to become inflamed.
Foreign body cystitis
This form of cystitis develops when a person is on a dialysis procedure, and the use of a catheter tube puts the person at the risk of bacterial infection and tissue damage. Both damaged tissues and bacteria infection can lead to inflammation.
Cystitis is also imputed to other medical conditions such as:
- diabetes
- stones
- enlarged prostate
- HIV
- spinal injuries
What are the complications of cystitis?
If left untreated, cystitis may lead to serious health issues later in life. These may include:
Kidney infection. Kidney infection is quite common in people with a bladder infection. Recurrent kidney infection, which is called pyelonephritis, can lead to permanent kidney damage.
Blood in the urine. One of the severe complications of cystitis is blood in the urine. The blood in the urine can be seen with or without a microscope, depending upon the type of hematuria.
What are the preventive measures for cystitis?
Drink plain water. When you have a bladder infection, drink lots of plain water. This will help bacteria to flush down naturally, especially if you are undergoing radiation therapies.
Urinate frequently. If you have the urge to use the washroom, do not delay.
Personal hygiene. Use toilet hygiene practices to prevent bacterial growth, such as wiping from front to back after a bowel movement. This stops the bacteria from spreading to the urethra and vagina.
Use bathtubs. Instead of using bathtubs prefer taking showers to prevent bacterial infections.
Immediately empty your bladder after the intercourse.
Avoid using deodorants or feminine products in the genital area. These products irritate the urethra and bladder.
How is cystitis diagnosed?
There are certain tests to diagnose cystitis. Your doctor may order a urine test to check for infection in the urinary tract.
Imaging tests and cystoscopy is also done to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Ayurvedic treatment for cystitis
According to Ayurveda, cystitis is linked to problems in urination. It is the function of Apanvayu that leads to problems in passing the urine and pain in the pelvic area. With the help of ayurvedic medicines, the doshas of the body are balanced, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. If these doshas are balanced, normal functioning of the body can be achieved without any health issues.
Further, ayurvedic treatment restricts surgical procedures in the recovery; rather, medicinal herbs are used in the treatment. The diuretics properties of herbs detoxify the body and clean and remove any blockage in the urinary tract. Thus, the disease is eliminated of its roots naturally.