Acute cystitis involves abrupt inflammation of the bladder. In most instances, it is due to a bacterial infection such as urinary tract infection or reaction to certain medications.
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The treatment for the condition due to a bacterial cause involves antibiotics. As for a non-infectious cause, it depends on the underlying cause.
Indications of acute cystitis
The indications of acute cystitis occur abruptly and can cause discomfort. The usual symptoms that might arise include:
- Frequent and strong urge to urinate even after emptying the bladder (urgency)
- Cloudy urine
- Burning sensation while urinating (dysuria)
- Strong-smelling urine
- Low fever
- Chills
- Sensation of pressure, cramping or bladder fullness in the lower back or abdomen
- Presence of blood in the urine
Management of acute cystitis
The treatment for acute cystitis involves antibiotics to be taken for 3-10 days if due to a bacterial infection. The symptoms might settle in a day or two but it is vital to continue taking antibiotics as long as prescribed by the doctor. It is vital to ensure that the infection has completely settled so that it will not recur.
The doctor might also prescribe a pain medication during the initial days to relieve the discomfort while the antibiotics take effect.
The treatment for the non-infectious cases is based on the exact cause. If the individual is allergic or sensitive to certain chemicals or products, the ideal treatment is to avoid these products. Pain medications are given to manage cystitis due to chemotherapy or radiation.
How to manage the symptoms
The symptoms of acute cystitis can be managed at home while waiting for antibiotics or other treatments to work. Some of these measures that can be done at home include:
- Increased intake of fluids
- Taking a warm bath
- Applying a heating pad on the abdomen
- Avoiding caffeine, spicy foods, citrus juices and alcohol
Many individuals drink cranberry juice or cranberry extract supplements to prevent UTI or to help ease the symptoms.
Most cases of acute cystitis settle without any complications if properly treated. It is rare for a kidney infection to develop but it can be dangerous if not treated right away. Individuals with weakened immune systems or have a current kidney condition are at higher risk for this type of complication.