What is cystitis?

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More information on dealing with cystitis.

What is cystitis?

Cystitis is an infection of the bladder where there is inflammation. It can occur at any age and affects both men and women.

Symptoms

Even when the sufferer has been to the toilet and emptied their bladder there is a desire to go again. Urination is very painful with a burning sensation experienced and sometimes there is blood present.

A strong smelling urine is associated with this condition and the urine is often cloudy. Many experience lower abdominal pains of a cramp-like nature and although the infection does not always travel up to the kidneys, it can do so in some cases. Those displaying symptoms should seek medical advice.

Causes

The bacteria E-coli is responsible for cystitis. E-coli is a bacteria that normally inhabits the bowel and it is more common for females to get cystitis than it is men because of two factors :

1. The urethra - the tube that leads from the bladder to the outside world is much shorter in women than in men, thereby allowing an infection to travel up to the bladder quickly or more effectively.

2. The position of the vagina, urethra and anus are in close proximity to each other, thus enabling the bacteria to travel quickly. Other causes include the use of a diaphragm, pregnancy and sexual intercourse, although urinating as soon as possible after sex will help flush out any contaminated urine before it has a chance to multiply.