Cystitis

Testimonial

For a long time I was suffering with kidney infections/cystitis and generally feeling unwell. I was taking antibiotics regularly and felt this was compromising my health in general and was not getting to the root of the problem. As a 28 year old girl this became very frustrating for me. I read about allergy testing on the internet and decided to make an appointment to see Alma @ The Amber Clinic. I had to take homeopathic drops in water every day for a month and go back for another visit. I found taking the drops so easy and there was no taste off them either. Each time I returned I was feeling better. I would say it took 4 months of treatment before I noticed a big difference. On my 6th visit I really was feeling the best I had in years. Alma then informed me that I was finished the treatment. I have to go back in 12 months for a check up. I am so grateful to Alma for her professional expert work and highly recommend her. Thank you Alma!

Michelle, 28 OFFALY.

What is Cystitis?

Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder. The condition more often affects women, but can affect either sex and all age groups.

There are several types of cystitis:

Bacterial cystitis, the most common type, which is most often caused by coliform bacteria being transferred from the bowel through the urethra into the bladder.

interstitial cystitis (IC) is considered more of an injury to the bladder resulting in constant irritation and rarely involves the presence of infection. IC patients are often misdiagnosed with UTI/cystitis for years before they are told that their urine cultures are negative. The cause of IC is unknown, though some suspect it may be autoimmune where the immune system attacks the bladder.

eosinophilic cystitis is a rare form of cystitis that is diagnosed via biopsy. In these cases, the bladder wall is infiltrated with a high number of eosinophils. The cause of EC is also unknown though it has been triggered in children by certain medications. Some consider it a form of interstitial cystitis.

In sexually active women the most common cause is from E. Coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

Causes

Cystitis occurs when the normally sterile lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) is infected by bacteria and becomes irritated and inflamed. It is very common.
The condition frequently affects sexually active women ages 20 to 50 but may also occur in those who are not sexually active or in young girls. Older adults are also at high risk for developing cystitis, with the incidence in the elderly being much higher than in younger people.
Cystitis is rare in males. Females are more prone to the development of cystitis because of their relatively shorter urethra—bacteria do not have to travel as far to enter the bladder—and because of the relatively short distance between the opening of the urethra and the anus. However it is not an exclusively female disease.
More than 85% of cases of cystitis are caused by Escherichia coli ("E. coli"), a bacterium found in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Sexual intercourse may increase the risk of cystitis because bacteria can be introduced into the bladder through the urethra during sexual activity. Once bacteria enter the bladder, they are normally removed through urination. When bacteria multiply faster than they are removed by urination, infection results.
Older males are at increased risk for developing cystitis due to incomplete emptying of the bladder associated with such conditions as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis and urethral strictures. Also, lack of adequate fluids, bowel incontinence, immobility or decreased mobility are situations which put people at increased risk for cystitis.

Symptoms

• Pressure in the lower pelvis
• Painful urination
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Need to urinate at night
• Abnormal urine color (cloudy), similar to a urinary tract infection
• Blood in the urine (hematuria) • Foul or strong urine odor

Prevention

Keeping the genital area clean and remembering to wipe from front to back may reduce the chance of introducing bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

Increasing the intake of fluids may allow frequent urination to flush the bacteria from the bladder. Urinating immediately after sexual intercourse may help eliminate any bacteria that may have been introduced during intercourse. Refraining from urinating for long periods of time may allow bacteria time to multiply, so frequent urinating may reduce risk of cystitis in those who are prone to urinary tract infections.

Drinking cranberry juice prevents certain types of bacteria from attaching to the wall of the bladder and may lessen the chance of infection. Cranberry extract tablets have also been found to be effective in preventing cystitis.

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