Symptoms of cystitis, which is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bacterial infection, are similar in men and women, and include:
- Frequent desire to urinate, but little urine volume; Pain or burning when urinating; Presence of blood in the urine; Dark, cloudy and very intense smell urine; Pain in the bottom of the belly or feeling of heaviness; General malaise or weakness.
In addition, in adults, although fever may develop, it is usually not higher than 38º C, however when there is a high fever or back pain, it may be an indication that the kidneys have been compromised.
In children, cystitis can be very difficult to identify because they are very vague and the child has difficulty explaining what he feels. However, some signs that may indicate this problem include peeing your pants during the day, having a fever above 38º C, feeling very tired or being more irritated, for example.
It is recommended that cystitis be treated at the first symptoms to prevent kidney damage, for example. The diagnosis of cystitis is made through urine tests, in which the characteristics of the urine and the presence of microorganisms are evaluated.
How the diagnosis is made
The initial diagnosis of cystitis should be made by a urologist or gynecologist, by assessing the symptoms presented. To conclude the diagnosis, the doctor can also request a urine test, also called EAS, to analyze the characteristics of the urine, as well as to identify if there are signs of infection.
Usually, when the urine test is verified, the presence of numerous pocytes, erythrocytes, positive nitrite and the presence of bacteria, and indicative of infection. However, the diagnosis can only be concluded by means of the urine culture test, in which the urine is analyzed at the microbiological level, in which tests are carried out to identify the microbial species causing the infection, as well as verifying the sensitivity profile of the microorganism., indicating which is the best antimicrobial to be used in the treatment.
Although urine tests are the main forms of diagnosis for the identification of the disease, cystitis can also be caused by the use of medication or diabetes, and the result of the urine test is negative. Therefore, it is recommended that the urologist perform an ultrasound of the bladder to check for signs of inflammation in the bladder. If it exists, the doctor will assess the family and individual history to identify the cause and, thus, start treatment.
In the case of cystitis caused by microorganisms, the initial treatment is done with the use of Ciprofloxacino, however, after urine culture, a more specific medication is usually recommended for the treatment. See what are the other remedies for cystitis.
What can cause cystitis
In most cases, cystitis is caused by a bacterial infection in the bladder, however, other causes can be:
- Frequent use of medications, especially chemotherapy, such as Cyclophosphamide or Ifosfamide; Menopause, due to the urethra becoming more susceptible to infections; Diabetes, as high blood sugar levels increase the risk of infections in the body; Irritation by chemicals, such as the use of soaps or perfumes in the intimate area that unbalance the pH; Injuries caused by sexual intercourse or the use of a bladder catheter, for example.
Depending on the cause, the treatment should be adapted and, therefore, whenever symptoms appear it is recommended to consult the doctor to confirm the cause of the problem and start the appropriate treatment.
