Acute cystitis occurs when the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) become infected by bacteria. Most cases are caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacteria found in the intestines. When you urinate, you help remove bacteria from the bladder. However, sometimes the bacteria grow so fast that some remains in the bladder.
Cystitis is rare in men. Women are more likely to have cystitis. It is much easier for the bacteria to travel into a woman's bladder, because it does not have to travel as far.
The condition is very common, and most often affects sexually active women age 20 to 50. Sexual intercourse may increase the risk of cystitis.. However, the infection may also occur in those who are not sexually active.
Urination - painful (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your symptoms and medication history, such as:.When did the painful urination begin? Reviewer: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 10/02/2008
Urinalysis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine.A urine sample is needed. Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 03/14/2009
Urinary tract infection - adults (5 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the:.Bladder Kidneys Ureters-- the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder Urethra-- the tube that emptie...Reviewer: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 10/02/2008
Urethritis (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Urethritis is inflammation of the urethra from any cause.Urethritis may be caused by bacteria or a virus. The same bacteria that cause urinary tract infections( E. coli) and some sexually transmitted diseases( chlamydia, gonorrhea) can l...Reviewer: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 09/07/2008
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