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Cystitis Diagnostic Procedures

Cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, can be a painful and serious condition if left untreated, so early diagnosis is critical. Cystitis is marked by painful urination, pelvic pain, frequent urge to urinate and sometimes a low grade fever. If you experience these symptoms, visit your doctor as soon as possible. In addition to considering your symptoms, your doctor might do a few tests to diagnose cystitis.

  1. Urine Test

    • A urine test is often the first test a doctor will administer when he suspects cystitis. After you urinate into a cup, your sample will be analyzed for bacteria and blood that indicate infection. If there is bacteria in your urine, you will be diagnosed with bacterial cystitis and usually prescribed an antibiotic to clear up the infection. Blood in the urine, also known as hematuria, is associated with what is known as hemorrhagic cystitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, this kind of cystitis is most often seen in people undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments. The first line of treatment for hemorrhagic cystitis is to increase fluid intake. If this treatment doesn't work, or if the hematuria is severe, your doctor may temporarily discontinue your chemotherapy or radiation until the bleeding stops. In very severe cases, a blood transfusion may also be required.

    Cystoscopy

    • A cystoscopy is most often done in cases of interstitial cystitis, or recurring cystitis, whose cause is unclear. During a cystoscopy, after filling your bladder with water or gas (hydrodistention), doctors insert a small tube with a camera on the end through the urethra and into the bladder. Doctors may examine the images or use a tool on the end of the scope to remove a small piece of bladder tissue for closer examination. According to the Women's Health Channel, these tests are done under general anesthesia because they are painful, but many interstitial cystitis sufferers actually have some relief of their symptoms after the test, thanks to the hydrodistention.

    Imaging Tests

    • Imaging tests, including X-rays and ultrasounds, are usually used when other tests don't show an infection but patients are still experiencing symptoms. Imaging tests are used to determine if there is a tumor or other internal problem that is at the root of the bladder inflammation. The next step in treatment depends on what the tests show.

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