Cystitis Symptoms

Bladder Infection: Cystitis. How To Diagnose & Treat It?

What is cystitis? In general, cystitis refers to an inflammation of the bladder and is a type of urinary tract infection, or UTI. Like many other conditions, it can occur in a more sudden form (acute cystitis) or affect an individual for prolonged periods of time (interstitial cystitis). Diagnosing cystitis involves conducting a patient interview and, if enough suspicion is raised, scheduling urine sample tests. Many cystitis symptoms experienced by patients are rather similar to a range of other conditions that can impact the urinary tract, making proper diagnosis crucial for treatment. For additional information and answers to such questions as what causes interstitial cystitis, take a look at the rest of the article.

What Is Cystitis?

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder caused by bacteria getting into the urinary tract. Therefore, by definition, it is a kind of urinary tract infection. In fact, one of its primary causes is the bacteria Escherichia coli entering the urethra and the bladder, disrupting the lining of the organ and causing widespread inflammation.

Cystitis can be classified into two separate types: acute cystitis and interstitial (or chronic) cystitis.

Interstitial Cystitis – Symptoms

Whenever an individual suffers from cystitis for prolonged periods, the condition gets labeled as interstitial cystitis due to the prevalent nature of the condition. Symptoms can include:

  • Intermittent pain in the region of the bladder and pelvis
  • Constant need to pass urine, up to dozens of times a day
  • Pain during urination
  • Pressure and tenderness around the bladder

Additionally, all of these cystitis symptoms tend to be made worse by sexual intercourse, especially in women. Thus, once treatment begins, a typical recommendation made by doctors concerns limiting sexual activity until symptoms subside.

What Causes Interstitial Cystitis?

Much like a recurring UTI, the exact cause of interstitial cystitis isn’t known. Research suggests the syndrome connects to other underlying causes, including autoimmune diseases, cancer or genetic predisposition.

Acute Cystitis – Symptoms

Acute cystitis is characterized by symptoms much more commonly associated with various bladder and urinary tract conditions. These include:

  • Pain while urinating
  • Urine discoloration, especially dark-colored urine
  • Blood in urine
  • Foul smell of urine
  • Cramping in the abdomen and/or pelvis
  • Increased tenderness in the pelvic and bladder regions
  • Frequent urination
  • Low fever & general signs of infection

What Is Acute Cystitis (Without Hematuria)?

Acute cases of cystitis that don’t involve hematuria (blood in the urine) are generally considered less problematic and alarming. In contrast, whenever hematuria occurs, consulting a medical professional becomes paramount for health, as it could signal a much more serious condition, including the beginning stages of kidney failure or other kinds of chronic kidney disease.

How Is Cystitis Diagnosed?

There are multiple ways of diagnosing cystitis. Most commonly, doctors order a urinalysis to obtain a comprehensive reading of your urine’s chemical composition, as well as test for the presence of various markers, such as leukocytes or abnormal urine pH.

With the advent of self-testing, a range of at-home kidney health tests can make obtaining a diagnosis drastically easier. Sometimes, though, a urine sample alone won’t return an unambiguous result, and further lab testing may be required. Example procedures that may follow include:

  • Cystoscopy – this procedure involves inserting a thin tube with a camera used to see inside the patient’s bladder. 
  • Imaging tests – if a urinalysis by itself is inconclusive, doctors may schedule more advanced tests, like an MRI or CT scan to get a better look at the inside of the bladder.
  • Pelvic exam – female patients may have their health care professionals perform a pelvic exam, which won’t differ much from procedures performed during a typical gynecologist visit.
  • Bladder biopsy – if imaging tests and physical exams prove insufficient, a small tissue sample from the bladder may be taken to examine for signs of disease or infection. 
  • Urine cytology – this kind of test involves a closer look at the patient’s urine. Using a microscope, doctors look for abnormal cells and other signs that could indicate underlying conditions.

How to Get Rid of Cystitis Fast?

If you’re suffering from cystitis but are days away from your doctor’s appointment, you may be looking for ways to ease your symptoms. 

There are several ways to decrease the pain and discomfort caused by cystitis, though it’s important to consult your doctor as soon as you can. If they rule it inadvisable to continue any given type of self-treatment, heed their instructions immediately.

So, how to get rid of cystitis fast? You may want to try some of these methods:

  • OTC painkillers
  • Drinking plenty of water
  • Abstaining from sex until symptoms resolve
  • Drinking cranberry juice
  • Ingesting a teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate to regulate urine acidity 

The Takeaway

We’ve explained what cystitis is, including its interstitial and acute varieties, as well as its causes, symptoms, and possible at-home treatments. If you have any interstitial cystitis symptoms, contact your doctor quickly for a detailed diagnosis and scan for potential underlying conditions.

You may also read: What is a Rapid Urine Test? How To Read Your Results?

Sources:

Grover S, Srivastava A, Lee R, Tewari AK, Te AE. Role of inflammation in bladder function and interstitial cystitis. Ther Adv Urol. 2011 Feb;3(1):19-33. doi: 10.1177/1756287211398255. PMID: 21789096; PMCID: PMC3126088.

Back to blog