Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder. The condition more often affects women, but can affect either sex and all age groups.

Types

There are several types of cystitis:

• bacterial cystitis, the most common type, which is most often caused by coliform bacteria being transferred from the bowel through the urethra into the bladder
• interstitial cystitis (IC) is considered more of an injury to the bladder resulting in constant irritation and rarely involves the presence of infection. IC patients are often misdiagnosed with UTI/cystitis for years before they are told that their urine cultures are negative. Antibiotics are not used in the treatment of IC. The cause of IC is unknown, though some suspect it may be autoimmune where the immune system attacks the bladder. However, there is hope. Several therapies are now available.
• eosinophilic cystitis is a rare form of cystitis that is diagnosed via biopsy. In these cases, the bladder wall is infiltrated with a high number of eosinophils. The cause of EC is also unknown though it has been triggered in children by certain medications. Some consider it a form of interstitial cystitis.
• radiation cystitis often occurs in patients undergoing radiation for the treatment of cancer.
• hemorrhagic cystitis

Causes, incidence and risk factors

Cystitis occurs when the normally sterile lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) is infected by bacteria and becomes irritated and inflamed. It is very common.Fact: date=October 2007

The condition frequently affects sexually active women ages 20 to 50 but may also occur in those who are not sexually active or in young girls. Older adults are also at high risk for developing cystitis, with the incidence in the elderly being much higher than in younger people.

Cystitis is rare in males. Females are more prone to the development of cystitis because of their relatively shorter urethrabacteria do not have to travel as far to enter the bladderand because of the relatively short distance between the opening of the urethra and the anus. However it is not an exclusively female disease.

More than 85% of cases of cystitis are caused by Escherichia coli ("E. coli"), a bacterium found in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Sexual intercourse may increase the risk of cystitis because bacteria can be introduced into the bladder through the urethra during sexual activity. Once bacteria enter the bladder, they are normally removed through urination. When bacteria multiply faster than they are removed by urination, infection results.

Risks for cystitis include obstruction of the bladder or urethra with resultant stagnation of urine, insertion of instruments into the urinary tract (such as catheterization or cystoscopy), pregnancy, diabetes, and a history of analgesic nephropathy or reflux nephropathy.

The elderly of both sexes are at increased risk for developing cystitis due to incomplete emptying of the bladder associated with such conditions as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis and urethral strictures. Also, lack of adequate fluids, bowel incontinence, immobility or decreased mobility and placement in a nursing home are situations which put people at increased risk for cystitis.