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What Causes Cystitis?

Cystitis is a term medical professionals use when referring to an inflamed bladder. The term can also apply to inflammations that extend into the urinary tract. Cystitis can be quite painful and if left untreated can lead to more serious health issues such as a kidney infection. There are three primary types of cystitis: community-acquired infectious bacterial, hospital-acquired infectious bacterial and non-infectious.

  1. Community-Acquired

    • Community-acquired cystitis is a bacterial infection that occurs in people who are not in medical facilities such as a nursing care facility or hospital. Women between the ages of 30 and 50 years are the most likely to contract a community-acquired bladder infection, primarily through sexual intercourse which can introduce bacteria into the urinary tract. Men over the age of 50 may also suffer from this type of cystitis due to an enlarged prostate, which may block the flow of urine.

    Hospital-Acquired

    • Hospital-acquired cystitis is also a bacterial infection and typically occurs to patients in medical facilities due to infections that result for urinary catheterization which is often performed before surgery. The elderly in nursing homes who require catheterization as a means of draining their bladder may also risk urinary tract infections, which can inflame the bladder and result in cystitis.

    Non-infectious

    • Bacterial infections are the primary culprit when it comes to bladder inflammation, but here are several non-infectious causes of cystitis. Painful bladder syndrome, also known as interstitial cystitis, is a painful condition that afflicts some women. Interstitial cystitis is hard to diagnose and treat in part because its cause is currently not known. Certain types of drugs can cause cystitis. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy can cause non-infections cystitis. People who are sensitive or allergic to certain common chemicals that may be present in soaps, shampoos or feminine hygiene products may develop cystitis. Some other medical conditions such as endometriosis, lupus and tuberculosis can also inflame the bladder.

    Sexual Activity

    • Sexual intercourse can introduce bacteria into the urethra. This bacterial infection can spread to the bladder and result in a urinary tract infection and painful inflammation of the bladder. However, not all bladder infections are a result of sexual activity. Women who are not sexually active may still contract a bacterial infection of the lower urinary tract, which can lead to cystitis.

    E. Coli

    • The Escherichia coli bacteria, commonly referred to as E. coli, is the primary cause of bacterial cystitis. This type of bacteria is common to the female genital area. Bacterial cystitis is typically treated with, and responds well to, antibiotics. However, newer strains of the E. coli bacteria are emerging that appear to be more resistant to common antibiotics and are proving to be more difficult to treat. Patients suffering from any type of cystitis should consult their health care provider for appropriate treatment.

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