Cystitis

What is cystitis?
Cystitis is an infection of the bladder usually caused by a urine infection. Typical symptoms are pain when you pass urine, and passing urine frequently. You may also have pain in your lower abdomen, blood in your urine, and fever (high temperature). Women are much more likely to get cystitis than men. The following are common causes of cystitis:

• Bacteria which normally live in and around the anus can sometimes get into the urethra and bladder
  
• Allergic reactions to toiletries like vaginal deodorants, perfumed soap, talcum powder, detergents in washing powder
  
• Stress, anxiety and depression can cause cystitis, or make symptoms worse

Treatment
Cystitis usually settles after 1 to 2 days. It is important to increase the amount of fluid you drink which will flush bacteria out of your bladder, and drinking cranberry juice helps during an attack, and also reduces the frequency of infections

Remember that simple analgesia such as paracetamol and ibuprofen will help reduce the discomfort. Your pharmacy will also sell cystitis relief medicine, which usually contains ingredients that make your urine less acidic

In the following circumstances you should see a doctor who will test your urine to rule out other causes, and if appropriate prescribe an antibiotic:

• if the cystitis has lasted longer that 2 days
• if you have repeated attacks
• if you have pain in your loins or back ache
• if you are pregnant
• if there is blood in your urine
• if you have other symptoms, for example vaginal soreness, and in men and women irritation or discharge
• Chlamydia infection can cause symptoms that are very similar to cystitis

Source: LSMP

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Last revision: April 2011