What is Cystitis and What is Done in Treatment?

Cystitis, which is more common in women than in men, is a condition that, although often thought to be "unsolvable," actually has treatment options.

Cystitis, more frequently observed in women compared to men, is a condition that, despite being considered "unsolvable," is actually treatable. Dr. Elnur Allahverdiyev, a Urology Specialist at Anadolu Health Center, states that with the right treatment and lifestyle changes, cystitis can be prevented. He emphasized, “The symptoms of cystitis are similar to those of all diseases affecting the bladder. Therefore, it is important for individuals with complaints to consult a urology specialist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.” Dr. Elnur Allahverdiyev provided important information on the subject...

What is Cystitis?

In medical terminology, cystitis refers to inflammation of the bladder, or in other words, a bladder infection. The symptoms of cystitis can be described as burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, feeling as though there is a lot of urine but being unable to urinate, and a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. In common parlance, frequent urination is often referred to as "cystitis." However, frequent urination can occur in all bladder diseases. Therefore, patients who experience frequent urination or burning with each urination should not automatically be assumed to have cystitis. It is important for individuals with these complaints to consult a urology specialist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Which Diseases Can Be Confused with Cystitis?

For example, urinary tract stones, bladder stones, infections of any organ near the bladder, inflammatory conditions, infections of the intestines or prostate gland, or strictures of the urinary canal can all create sensations similar to cystitis. This is because the symptoms of all diseases affecting the bladder are similar. Therefore, when a patient says, "I have cystitis," they should definitely be evaluated by a urology specialist.

What is Done in the Treatment of Cystitis?

If there is a simple urinary tract or bladder infection, antibiotic treatment can be initiated against the causative agent of the infection. However, if the symptoms are not due to such an infection, antibiotic treatment will not be effective.

How Many Types of Cystitis Are There?

Cystitis is divided into two groups: acute and chronic cystitis. However, these can also be further subdivided into subgroups.

What is Interstitial Cystitis?

Interstitial cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder wall without a bacterial infection. It is also referred to as "painful bladder syndrome." It is a long-term (chronic) condition characterized by pain, a persistent feeling of urgency to urinate, or burning sensations. Various medication applications can be made into the bladder for treatment. The incidence in women is about 10 times higher than in men.

In which situations are interventions like Botox and blockage applied, and are they used in every type of cystitis?

Botox is administered into the bladder in cases such as overactive bladder and neurogenic bladder. It alleviates patients' complaints with a success rate of 70% over an average duration of six months.

Can dietary habits lead to cystitis?

In chronic cystitis, diet is an integral part of the treatment. It can be considered essential. Particularly, the consumption of fried foods, salty and spicy foods, carbonated beverages, tea, and coffee can trigger cystitis. It is recommended to avoid these.

Is cystitis more common in women or men?

Due to different anatomical features, cystitis is more commonly seen in women. Cystitis related to urinary tract infections is more prevalent in women because their anatomical structures differ from men’s. The urinary tract in women is shorter, allowing bacteria from the genital area to easily reach the urinary tract. As a result, women are more prone to cystitis, and some women may experience frequent cystitis episodes.

How are recurrent cystitis cases treated?

If a woman or man exhibits symptoms of recurrent urinary tract infections, it is essential to evaluate the patient, identify the cause, and provide treatment. Without investigating the cause, patients may receive prolonged antibiotic treatment, but the recurrence of cystitis will not be prevented.

What are the risk factors?

The most significant risk factors for urinary tract infections and cystitis include insufficient fluid intake and anomalies such as urethral stricture. For instance, standing in wet swimsuits during the summer or having cold feet are also among the risk factors. Cold exposure can increase symptoms of overactive bladder (commonly referred to as cystitis) in patients with chronic cystitis. Consuming plenty of fluids and urinating regularly can reduce the likelihood of cystitis. Sometimes, cystitis symptoms develop in women after sexual intercourse. These women should be examined, and any correctable causes should be treated.

What should be done to prevent recurrent cystitis?

To prevent recurrent urinary tract infections or cystitis, it is especially important to consume plenty of fluids, go to the toilet regularly, not hold urine, and pay attention to hygiene. Additionally, constipation is one of the significant causes of cystitis. Therefore, if constipation is present, it should be addressed and treated first. To prevent recurrent cystitis, it is also important to treat any urinary disorders, vaginal dryness, anatomical anomalies in the genital area, urethral strictures, or anatomical abnormalities in the urinary tract.