Up&Down Portugal - Cystitis

Home

Cystitis

What is it and how do you get?

Cystitis is the name given to inflammatory diseases and / or diseases of the bladder. The most frequent bladder infections are caused by germs from our intestinal tract. One is a bacterium known as Escherichia coli.

The same is found in feces. In special situations, these bacteria migrate contaminating the perineum (the area where are located the genitals). After a period of multiplication, the bacteria can invade the urethra and is situated in the bladder, causing infectious cystitis. This situation is easier to occur in women, especially due to anatomic causes.

Other types of infectious agents can also cause cystitis, for example, Koch's bacillus. In this case, we have a tuberculosis cystitis.

In immunosuppressed patients (HIV-AIDS patients or HIV carriers) or those undergoing chemotherapy, is common fungal cystitis. There are non-infectious cystitis, cause inflammation.

Patients undergoing radiotherapy to the pelvic organs (uterus, prostate) can acquire a bladder inflammation which is called radiation cystitis. Another type of cystitis is not rare interstitial cystitis of unknown cause. It is a chronic inflammation, insidious, with a tendency to decrease bladder capacity, bringing pain and discomfort for the patient.

Infectious cystitis are caused by anatomical factors predisposing to genetic and constitutional factors, instrumentation of the urinary tract (urethral dilators), surgeries on the urinary tract, diseases of the urinary tract (stones), sexual activity, the presence of vaginal discharge.

What you feel and how does it manifest?

Cystitis patients complain of increased frequency of urination (urinary stream), urinary urgency (urgent urination), bladder pain (cystalgia), of burning and difficulty urinating (dysuria).

The urine may show a characteristic odor as well as blood. General discomfort, low back pain, irritation may accompany the condition. Fever usually does not accompany cystitis in adults.

Hyperthermia (fever) or moderate may be present in children. There are situations where the patient has germs in the urine without any symptoms. Is what is called bacteriuria (bacteria in the urine) asymptomatic.

Other types of cystitis, non-infectious diseases, the symptoms are the same with the only difference: the absence of germs in urine tests. There is

symptoms differentiating between infectious cystitis in a non-infectious.

How is it diagnosed?

The patient's history is important in the location of the organ involved. The qualitative urine test gives us idea of the amount of leukocytes, red blood cells and density. However, the most important test is urine culture with sensitivity.

This review is the only one that will differentiate between an infectious cystitis and a non-infectious. It identifies the bacteria by antibiotic and guides in choosing the best antibiotic treatment. If the urine point no pathogens, the diagnosis of noninfectious cystitis is more likely.

There are situations that mimic cystitis, such as carcinoma in situ of the bladder and the diagnosis is made by biopsy of the bladder mucosa.

Calculations ends of the ureter can give symptoms similar to cystitis. Neurological diseases that affect the bladder are another example.

Once diagnosed infectious cystitis, you should look for its cause. Imaging studies (radiographs of the urinary tract, ultrasound) and cystoscopy should be requested as appropriate. The diagnostic approach varies according to age and sex of the patient. The same goes for non-infectious cystitis.

How is it?

Infectious cystitis is treated with antibiotics according to the results of urine culture. If a cause is found, this must be eliminated (for example, a kidney).

Non-infectious cystitis are more complex when it comes to their treatment. Analgesics, anti-inflammatory, myorelaxant, anti-spasmodic, local anesthetics are widely used resources.

General measures also act as local heat, alkaline urine, teas. In extreme situations, as in advanced interstitial cystitis, the bladder is removed from the patient.

What is the prognosis?

Fortunately, infectious cystitis has a good prognosis. The problem is the repetition especially in women, where most of the time is not an obvious cause.

In many cases, the doctor needs to make prolonged use of antibiotics in small daily doses to prevent a recurrence.

Interstitial cystitis is a challenge to the urologist, because its cause is unknown, so the treatment is impaired. Each year there are new drugs without, however, a significant benefit for patients.

Radiation cystitis is less common than years ago, as the modernity of radiotherapy equipment.

Questions you can ask your doctor

What causes cystitis?

This disease is transmitted?

Cystitis can cause cancer?

< Prev		Next >

Headline

1/3

Manchester fans losing patience with Ronaldo

April 11, 2009

Goals are forgotten over discipline issue

Gone are the times in which Ronaldo was an idol consensus among supporters of Manchester United. He who was considered the best player on the planet in 2008 continues with vein ballers with shirt number 7 - but not enough for fans of the 'red devils'. The growing field and in displicência endless soap opera of the transfer to Real Madrid fans leave angry.