{"id":9436,"date":"2019-08-18T14:11:55","date_gmt":"2019-08-18T14:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9436"},"modified":"2022-02-07T08:48:24","modified_gmt":"2022-02-07T08:48:24","slug":"14-frequent-causes-of-cystitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-frequent-causes-of-cystitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Frequent Causes of Cystitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Cystitis is the de facto term used by medical professionals used to describe an inflammation of the bladder. In most cases, this inflammation is the result of infection \u2014 often bacterial. In such cases, it\u2019s referred to as a UTI \u2014 a urinary tract infection.\u00a0 Bladder infections can be both annoying and painful. They can even develop into significant health risks if this infection manages to make its way to the kidneys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of cystitis are treated through the use of antibiotics seeing as a majority of them are caused by bacterial infections. That being said, knowing what causes cystitis in great depth can help you both prevent future cases and get proper treatment before complications develop. There are quite a few things that could lead to cystitis. That being the case, we\u2019ll just go over eight common causes that you need to know about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Bacterial cystitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As we\u2019ve mentioned above, most cases of cystitis <\/a>are bacterial in nature. Urinary tract infections develop whenever bacteria from the outside world manage to make their way into the urinary tract via the urethra. It will then start to multiply in numbers while there. E. coli is the leading cause of cystitis cases. Bladder infections that are bacterial in nature could develop in women due to penetrative sexual acts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That being said, even females who are sexually inactive could fall victim to these UTIs. The vagina is a harbor for various types of bacteria, many of which could lead to the development of cystitis. There are also some cases that are chronic known as interstitial cystitis. The exact cause of this type of cystitis remains unclear, but it is more prominent in women rather than men. It can be very difficult to both treat and even diagnose this type of condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Irritable bowel syndrome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Irritable bowel syndrome<\/a> is another risk factor that could lead to the development of cystitis. This condition is often shortened to IBS. It\u2019s a relatively common disorder that negatively impacts the large intestine within your body. It is one of the few conditions that can cause both diarrhea and constipation despite the fact that the two are polar opposites of each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abdominal pain, cramps, and bloating are other telltale symptoms of the disorder. It can even cause nocturnal diarrhea \u2014 diarrhea at night \u2014 which is why patients with IBS are at a higher risk for developing cystitis. If the bacteria from nocturnal diarrhea make their way into the urinary tract then cystitis could occur soon after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are various precautions that one can take to ensure that this doesn\u2019t occur. One of which consists of taking loperamide before going to bed to ensure that no overnight diarrhea episode occurs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Chemo drugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are also some medications that could lead to the development of cystitis. Chemo <\/a>drugs are especially potent on this front. Ifosfamide and cyclophosphamide are two chemo drugs that have been known the inflame the bladder as they make their way out of your body. This is why cancer patients often suffer from frequent cases of cystitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors are currently trying to find chemo drugs that are just as effective at killing cancer cells but don\u2019t cause as much harm and inflammation to the bladder. In fact, some scientists have suggested that cancer treatment may not involve chemotherapy at all in the next few decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, until that happens, cancer patients will still likely have to deal with the bladder inflammation caused by these chemo drugs. Speaking of cancer treatment, the next item on our list ties into this one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Radiation treatment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Along with chemotherapy, radiation treatment is one of the staples of cancer treatment. If this treatment is done on the pelvic area then changes to the bladder tissue that results in inflammation could occur. Radiation <\/a>treatment aimed at the pelvis area is often used to treat cervical cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cervical cancer patients are at a high risk of developing cystitis. As a matter of fact, there is currently an ongoing study on more than 10,000 cervical cancer patients that seeks to get more data on the link between cystitis and radiation treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the study concludes, we should have the exact percentage of cervical cancer patients that get cystitis due to radiation treatment. Until then, we\u2019ll just have to keep an eye on those who receive radiation treatment so that any resulting cases of cystitis can be treated promptly before any other complications occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Catheter usage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Using a catheter <\/a>over a long period of time can actually make one more likely to develop cystitis. If you\u2019re not familiar with what a catheter is or what it does, it\u2019s a medical device in the form of a thin tube. It has various uses in the world of medicine. One common use is to drain urine from the bladder \u2014 a process known as urinary catheterization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can also be used to treat pneumothorax \u2014 collapsed lung \u2014 patients by draining out the air around their lungs. They have also been used to drain abscesses in patients. As you can see, catheters are very useful, but they aren\u2019t perfect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you use a catheter for extended periods then you could be more susceptible to bacterial infections as well as tissue damage. Both infections and tissue damage can lead to cystitis. This is why the use of a catheter is reserved for necessary cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Chemicals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some individuals who might be excessively sensitive to specific chemical compounds that are found in consumer products. These products could be hygiene sprays, bubble baths, and other similar bathing supplies. If they are in fact sensitive to the chemicals <\/a>contained therein, they might end up with an allergic reaction to the products from their bladder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This reaction will lead to inflammation. Before the discovery of this, doctors would often wonder how bubble baths managed to cause cystitis. It wasn\u2019t until relatively recently that the link between sensitivity to bath products and the development of cystitis was made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Diabetes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pre-existing diseases always pose the potential threat of leading to the development of new conditions. Such is the case with diabetes as it can cause cystitis. This is due to the fact that high glucose levels could promote the growth of bacteria. As the bacteria feed on the sugar in your blood and grow their numbers, your odds of developing cystitis gradually go up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of high glucose <\/a>levels as a buffet for pathogens that want to inflame your bladder. The more food is available in your blood, the higher your risk will be. Diabetes patients tend to have abnormally high blood sugar levels which is why they\u2019re classified as high-risk patients for cystitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating diabetes itself could prevent cases of cystitis as the insulin will lower the amount of sugar present in your blood thus slowing the growth of bacteria that would otherwise inflame your bladder. Failing to take insulin shots regularly will not only increase the odds of developing cystitis but could also cause hyperglycemia which can lead to headaches and even nerve damage in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Kidney stones<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kidney stones<\/a> are made up of salts and minerals that form within your kidneys. Most kidney stones don\u2019t cause lasting damage if they\u2019re detected early enough. That being said, if they remain within you long enough then they could start to inflame the surrounding areas including the bladder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the mechanism that allows kidney stones to cause cystitis. The easiest way to ensure that kidney stones don\u2019t inflame your bladder and cause cystitis is by treating them early before any permanent damage occurs. Drinking a lot of water is the first step to treating your kidney stones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should aim to drink enough fluids to make your urine clear. Needless to say, if your doctor instructs you otherwise then you should heed their instructions rather than blindly following online guides. Surgical procedures may also be necessary if drinking fluids isn\u2019t enough to take care of kidney stones. Treating these stones early reduces the odds of developing cystitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. General Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals are more prone to urinary tract infections than others. People who experience the loss of a kidney or chronic kidney disease (CKD) will experience frequent UTIs when they differentiate from their treatment or recommended diet<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These general UTIs typically resolve without any need for medical intervention. Normally, these patients with kidney problems or CKD will regularly consult with their doctor or nephrologist (kidney specialist). They will undergo regular bloodwork to check their kidney function and markers waste products like urea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If they experience severe UTI, the doctor or specialist will likely refer them to the local pathology lab for bloodwork to check on the state of their kidney health and that the UTI is not a sign of a more serious complication with the kidneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If these individuals experience a UTI, it might be because they drank too much alcohol or had complications with their diet forcing them into ketosis. In ketosis, the kidneys struggle to handle the buildup of acidosis in the blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Weakened Immune Function<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The immune system<\/a> is complex, and it has a presence in many organs throughout the body, including the kidneys. Our immune system helps us fight off pathogens like bacteria and viruses, preventing us from getting sick or experiencing a severe outcome from the illness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, some people have weakened immune systems due to infections, such as HIV. HIV causes a reduction in the CD-4 count of the immune system, reducing its ability to fight off infection. As a result, an HIV patient doesn’t end up dying from HIV; they die from a viral or bacterial infection, like influenza or tuberculosis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with weakened immune systems are also more prone to developing urinary tract infections due to viral or bacterial infections. They may require the use of antibiotics or antivirals to help them clear the infection and return the bladder to its normal function. If left untreated, the UTI can cause complications with the kidneys. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Spinal Injuries or Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People with spinal injuries <\/a>may also experience UTIs more often than those with healthy central nervous system responses. The CNS controls the functioning of the bladder and the kidneys. In some cases, patients may develop problems with the signaling of the nerves that contract and release the bladder, resulting in incontinence forming in the patient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They may experience problems releasing all of the urine, resulting in an infection in the urethra that migrates to the bladder and potentially the kidneys. While there is no cure for CNS dysfunction caused by spinal nerve dysfunction, the patient can cope with a UTI through the use of medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with chronic kidney disease experience dysfunction with the kidneys due to the disease altering the normal function of the organ. They may find that they are more prone to developing UTIs, and they require the use of medications to stop infections. These individuals need to work closely with their nephrologist to prevent complications of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Problems Urinating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some individuals may have problems urinating, causing the onset of a UTI. Urinary incontinence affects millions of Americans, mostly women in their 40s or women that undergo natural childbirth. The urine may back up in the urethra, causing an infection leading to the onset of cystitis<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contrary to popular belief, urine is not sterile, and it can cause a UTI. If you have incontinence, you can use pelvic floor exercises to regain control of the pelvic muscles controlling the bladder. This technique effectively restores the health of the supporting structures in the pelvis, leading to improvements in bladder function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it might be impossible to remove the incontinence completely, pelvic floor exercises can help mitigate the severity of the condition, improving your quality of life. Speak to your doctor, and they will refer you to a physiotherapist that can assist you with learning the exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Use of Diaphragms and Spermicides<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another common cause of cystitis in women is the use of diaphragms and spermicides for contraception<\/a>. These contraception products effectively prevent pregnancy, but they may cause complications with bladder health, leading to the development of UTIs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spermicides are chemical products containing ingredients designed to kill sperm on contact. The features as gels and creams, and many condom manufacturers coat the inside of condoms with spermicide to prevent accidental pregnancy if the condom breaks. However, spermicides are aggressive, and some people are sensitive to the ingredients in these products. As a result of coming in contact with the spermicide, the affected individual may experience the onset of a UTI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diaphragms require insertion into the vaginal canal, where it sits against the canal’s walls, preventing sperm from passing through the barrier to reach the eggs. However, diaphragms require manual insertion. If the person doesn’t have clean hands, they may transfer bacteria into the vagina, which travels up the urethra and into the bladder, causing the onset of bacterial UTI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. An Enlarged Prostate<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Men older than 40 require an annual checkup on their prostate. Prostate cancer<\/a> affects nearly a quarter of a million American men each year. The extent of cancer depends on whether the patient seeks early diagnosis and treatment or if they leave the problem in the hope that it will go away, failing to receive early diagnosis and treatment for the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some men may experience a condition known as BHP (benign prostatic hyperplasia). With this disorder, the prostate keeps growing in men after the age of 30, when it would normally stop its growth phase. As a result, the patient experiences pressure against the urethra when peeing, resulting in problems with the normal urine flow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The urine may trap in the urethra where it returns to the bladder, causing a UTI. Men over the age of 40 should receive a rectal exam every few years to check on their prostate health, and the doctor should monitor their prostate health through a bloodwork test of their PSA levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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