What is Cystitis infection ?

Cystitis is an infection of the bladder. Bladder infection commonly occurs in women, especially in the reproductive period. Some women suffer from recurrent bladder infections.


CAUSE
Bacteria from the vagina can move from the urethra into the bladder. Women often suffer from bladder infections after sexual intercourse, possibly because of urethral injury during sexual intercourse. Sometimes recurrent bladder infections in women occur due to the abnormal relationship between the bladder and vagina (fistula vesicovaginal).

Bladder infections are rare in men and usually begins as an infection of the urethra that moves into the prostate and the bladder. In addition, bladder infections can occur due to catheter or device used during surgery. The most common cause of recurrent bladder infections in men are prostate infection caused by bacteria that are settled. Antibiotics will soon wipe out the bacteria from the urine in the bladder, but antibiotics can not penetrate the prostate well so it can not relieve the infection in the prostate. Therefore, if the use of antibiotics is stopped, the bacteria inside the prostate will tend to re-infect the bladder.

Abnormal relationship between the bladder and colon (fistula vesicoenteric) sometimes causes the gas-forming bacteria enter and grow in the bladder. These infections can cause air bubbles in the urine (pneumaturia).


SYMPTOMS
Bladder infections usually cause the urge to urinate and a burning sensation or pain during urination. Pain is usually felt above the pubic bone and is often also felt in the lower back. Other symptoms are nocturia (frequent urination at night). The urine looks cloudy and contain blood.

Sometimes bladder infections cause no symptoms and unknown at the time of examination of urine (urinalysis for other reasons.) Cystitis with no symptoms are especially common in the elderly, who may suffer from incontinence uri as a result.


Diagnosis
Diagnosis based on typical symptoms. Taken midstream urine samples (midstream), so that urine is not contaminated by bacteria from the vagina or tip of the penis. The urine is then examined under a microscope to see any red blood cells or white blood cells or other substances. And made a head count of bacteria cultured to determine the type of bacteria. If infection occurs, it is usually a type of bacteria found in significant amounts.

In men, urine flow was usually sufficient for diagnosis. In women, urine samples are sometimes contaminated by bacteria from the vagina, so that urine samples should be taken directly from the bladder using a catheter.

Other tests are performed to help establish the diagnosis of cystitis are:
- X-rays, to describe the kidneys, ureters and bladder
- Sistouretrografi, to know of any backflow of urine from the bladder and urethral stricture
- Uretrogram retrograde, to find out the narrowing, diverticula or fistula
- Cystoscopy, to see the bladder directly with fiber optics.