Cystitis Health Video

Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the bladder. A bladder infection can be painful and annoying and can become a serious health problem if the infection spreads to your kidneys. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of cystitis in this video.

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Contact a doctor for frequent urination
Contact a doctor for a burning sensation
Contact a doctor for lower abdominal pain & pressure

About this Author

Dr. Susan McGladdery is a medical graduate from Oxford University in the UK and has a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences from Cambridge University. She has been a member of the Royal College of Physicians since 1991 and a member of the American Academy of Urgent Care since 2006. She trained as a Family Physician in the UK in Oxford and then in London. In a medical career that spans over 20 years, she has worked as a doctor in 5 countries on 3 continents and cared for patients from a multitude of different nationalities and backgrounds. Dr. McGladdery joined FirstMed Centers in mid 2002 and became Regional Medical Director in 2003.

SUSAN MCGLADERRY, BM, BCH, MRCP: Hello. My name is Dr. Sue McGladerry. I'm the medical director from the FirstMed Centers in Budapest, Hungary. I'd like to give you some information about cystitis. This is the medical term for inflammation of the urinary bladder. It's mostly caused by bacterial infection. It can be painful and very annoying and it may lead to a serious health problem if the infection spreads to the kidneys. Sometimes, it occurs not as a result of infection but as a reaction to certain drugs, radiation therapy, or to some kind of irritants such as a feminine hygiene product or spermicide or even as a consequence of long-term catheterization. Cystitis symptoms are predominantly urinary. There may be a strong persistent urge to urinate of frequent and small amounts urine accompanied by burning feeling. The urine may be cloudy with a strong smell. It may be pink or red from blood, and there may be lower abdominal pain, pressure, and fever. Who gets cystitis? Women often get urinary tract infection or cystitis; the reason is anatomical. Women have a shorter urethra than men so bacteria can more easily reach the urinary bladder causing infection or cystitis. Being sexually active or being pregnant increases the risk of cystitis. Also, for women around the time of menopause, they're more likely to get cystitis. The usual treatment for bacterial cystitis is antibiotics. This should be started wherever possible after taking a sample of urine for culture. It's important to know the bacteria causing the infection and to check the antibiotic sensitivity. Other treatments are used for other forms of cystitis. When should you see your doctor? If you have symptoms of cystitis, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. You'll probably need antibiotic treatment. Delays in treatment can increase the risk of complications such as kidney infection.

Cystitis Health Video

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