Inflammation of the bladder is called cystitis, and has a variety of causes, according to the Mayo Clinic. In most cases, bacterial infection is the cause of the cystitis, and this may be diagnosed as a urinary tract infection. Symptoms can include pelvic pain or discomfort, sudden urges to urinate, and a low-grade fever. If cystitis is not treated, it can spread to the kidneys and cause serious medical problems.
Bacterial Cystitis
When bacteria enter the urinary tract and start to multiply, bacterial cystitis can occur, according to the Mayo Clinic. Bacteria may enter through sexual intercourse, but the female genital and urinary tract naturally have bacteria that can cause infection. There are two primary types of bacterial infections of the bladder: community-acquired bladder infections and hospital-acquired, or nosocomial infections. Community-acquired bladder infections are when people who are not in a medical facility get a bladder infection. These types of infections most commonly occur in women ages 30 to 50, and in men older than 50-years-old. Nosocomial infections typically occur when the patient has had a catheter while in the medical facility.
Noninfectious Cystitis
Sometimes the bladder becomes inflamed for reasons other than bacteria, and when this happens, a diagnosis of noninfectious cystitis can be made. Types of cystitis in this category include drug-induced cystitis, radiation cystitis, foreign-body cystitis and chemical cystitis. Drug-induced cystitis occurs when medications irritate your bladder as the drugs are broken down and exit your body. If you receive radiation to the pelvic area, your bladder may become inflamed or irritated, which is radiation cystitis. Foreign-body cystitis typically occurs in people who have catheters for a period of time, which can lead to bacterial infections or tissue irritation. Hypersensitivity to products like bubble bath or feminine hygiene products can cause chemical cystitis due to a reaction in the bladder similar to that of an allergic reaction, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis can look similar to bladder cancer or urinary tract infections, and can be hard to accurately diagnose, according to the Interstitial Cystitis Association. It affects 3 to 8 million women in the United States, and is a recurring, chronic condition. Symptoms include urinary frequency during the day and night (up to 60 times a day, for some people), an immediate urge to urinate that may occur with pain or pain in the urethral, vaginal, or lower abdominal area. Pain may also occur with sexual intercourse or ejaculation.
