Download Cystitis - East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Cystitis
Information for patients from the Urology Department
This leaflet is not meant to replace the information discussed between you and your doctor, but
can act as a starting point for such a discussion or as a useful reminder of the key points.
What is cystitis?
Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder. It is more common in women than in men. There
are several triggers to cystitis.
• Bacterial infection lies at the root of many cases and the main culprit is the bowel bug, E.coli,
which lives in the intestines and helps the digestive process. This can easily move to the
bladder and cause problems, particularly in women.
• Chlamydia (sexually-transmitted disease) – a small percentage of cases are caused by the
Chlamydia organism, a vaginal infection that has been linked to infertility.
• Sex – cystitis is much more common in sexually-active women. Sexual arousal, semen, and
some types of contraceptives can change the balance of normal bacteria in the vagina and
encourage infection that migrates to the bladder.
• Other causes – men with prostatic problems, diabetes, other health problems, and people with
urinary catheters are also at risk of developing cystitis from time-to-time.
How can I tell if I have cystitis?
The most common complaints are frequency of urine, a feeling of urgency to urinate, pain when
passing urine, and blood in the urine.
How is cystitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on symptoms and on tests carried out on a urine sample.
How is cystitis treated?
If the cystitis is caused by bacteria the treatment is antibiotics that are prescribed for a variable
amount of time, depending on the severity and length of the infection and on the condition of
the patient. If there are repeated bouts of cystitis and no underlying infection, you may have
to be referred to a urologist (a consultant who specialises in bladder and kidney problems) for
investigations, such as a cystoscopy (when the bladder is looked at through a small telescope
under a general anaesthetic).
Is there anything special I need to know?
• As soon as symptoms appear, drink 300ml (millilitres) of water immediately and then
another 300ml every 20 to 30 minutes for three hours. It is important to increase daily fluids up
to two to three litres.
• A daily glass or two of unsweetened cranberry juice can reduce the incidence of infection.
Cranberries contain a compound that prevents bacteria sticking to the walls of the bladder; a
minimum of 200ml per day is required to be effective.
• Observe careful hygiene - women can avoid sweeping bacteria towards the urethra (the
opening where urine discharges from) by wiping the anal area from front to back after opening
their bowels. They should also avoid using vaginal deoderants and bubble bath. Washing this
area after going to the toilet is advised.
If your symptoms persist you should contact your GP.
Further information
• Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation
Telephone: 0121 702 0820
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cobfoundation.org/
Cystitis, March 2016
Any complaints, comments, concerns, or compliments
If you have other concerns please talk to your doctor or nurse. Alternatively please contact our
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01227 783145 or 01227 864314,
or email [email protected]
Further patient information leaflets
In addition to this leaflet, East Kent Hospitals has a wide range of other patient information leaflets
covering conditions, services, and clinical procedures carried out by the Trust. For a full listing
please go to www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patientinformation or contact a member of staff.
After reading this information, do you have any further questions or comments? If so,
please list below and bring to the attention of your nurse or consultant.
Would you like the information in this leaflet in another format or language?
We value equality of access to our information and services and
are therefore happy to provide the information in this leaflet in
Braille, large print, or audio - upon request.
If you would like a copy of this document in your language, please contact the ward or department
responsible for your care.
Pacjenci chcący uzyskać kopię tego dokumentu w swoim języku ojczystym powinni skontaktować
się z oddziałem lub działem odpowiedzialnym za opiekę nad nimi.
Ak by ste chceli kópiu tohto dokumentu vo vašom jazyku, prosím skontaktujte nemocničné
pracovisko, alebo oddelenie zodpovedné za starostlivosť o vás.
Pokud byste měli zájem o kopii tohoto dokumentu ve svém jazyce, kontaktujte prosím oddělení
odpovídající za Vaši péči.
Чтобы получить копию этого документа на вашем родном языке, пожалуйста обратитесь в
отделение, ответственное за ваше лечение.
We have allocated parking spaces for disabled people, automatic doors, induction loops, and can
provide interpretation. For assistance, please contact a member of staff.
This leaflet has been produced with and for patients
Information produced by the Urology Department
Date reviewed: March 2016
Next review date: March 2018
Web 089