What is cystitis?
Inflammation of the bladder is called cystitis. It is characterized by chronic urinary urgency and frequency with discomfort which is relieved by urinating.
Cystitis is divided into two subtypes on the basis of findings at cystoscopy and bladder over-distention.
Ulcerative: surface of bladder appears red with ulcerative patches. The ulcers become apparent on over-distention.
Non-ulcerative: After over-distention tiny, discreet, rasp-berry like lesions appears on the dome and lateral wall of bladder with tiny mucosal tears and sub-mucosal hemorrhages.
What causes cystitis?
A woman’s urethra is shorter as compared to man’s urethra and also it is situated in close proximity to anus which makes it easier for bacteria to enter the female bladder. Most common bacteria that cause infection are E.coli. Conditions that cause risk for infection include:
• Catheterization
• Men with an enlarged prostate
• Pregnancy
• Congenital deformity in the urinary system
Other causes may include:
• ‘Honeymoon’ cystitis: This refers to cystitis in women in relation to increased frequency of sexual activity. Bacteria that are present near the urethral opening may enter into the urethra and bladder and cause cystitis.
• Sexually transmitted infection (STI)
• Parasites (schistosomiasis).
• Lack of female sex hormones in postmenopausal women
• Contact dermatitis
What are the signs of cystitis?
In men:
• Burning pain while urinating (dysuria)
• Discharge from penis
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Urgent urination
• Pain with intercourse or ejaculation
• Itching, tenderness, or swelling in penis or groin area
• Fever (rare)
In women:
• Burning pain while urinating
• Fever and chills
• Abdominal pain
• Pelvic pain
• Urgent urination
• Vaginal discharge
What happens if cystitis is left untreated?
If left untreated, however, the bacteria can travel up your urinary tract to the kidney and result into a serious, life-threatening infection. Pain or tenderness in the lower back, fever, chills, nausea or vomiting, and a general feeling of sickness suggest a kidney infection.
What is difference between cystitis and urinary tract infection?
The difference between a cystitis (inflammation of bladder) and UTI is that a UTI is a general term for when any of the organs of urinary tract are infected e.g. your kidneys, urethra, or bladder. Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) and urethritis (inflammation of the urethra) are also urinary tract infections.
Is cystitis serious?
Cystitis is a common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly in women. Mild cases will often get better by themselves without taking any medicines within a few days. But some people experience recurrent episodes of cystitis frequently and may need regular or long-term treatment.
How homeopathy helps in cystitis?
- Apis mellifica
- Arsenicum album
- Berberis vulgaris
- Cantharis vesicatori
- Equisetum hyemal
- Lycopodium clavatum
- Merc cor
