Painful Urination

Do you urinate often? Is it a painful experience? Perhaps you have cystitis, a common problem in women.

Cystitis is the inflammation of the urinary bladder, the organ which holds urine before it leaves the body. It is caused by bacteria which have entered the bladder via the urethra, the tube that carries urine outside the body.

Men do not develop cystitis as often as women because they have longer urethras which make it difficult for bacteria to reach the bladder. Also, in women, the distance between the anus and the external openings of the vagina and urethra is shorter, thereby permitting bacteria to travel from one place to another.

However in men who develop cystitis, the problem can usually be traced to some underlying disorder such as an enlarged prostate. This obstructs the flow of urine from the bladder and causes bacteria to multiply further. Other possible causes of obstruction are tumors and kidney stones.

"Cystitis in men is uncommon. When it does occur, the usual cause is an infection that has spread from an inflamed prostate gland or that has developed in the bladder because of an enlarged prostate," according to he editors of Consumer Guide's “Family Health & Medical Guide.”

"Urethritis, an infection or inflammation of the urethra, often sets the stage for the development of cystitis. Urethritis occurs in both men and women and is usually acquired through sexual intercourse with an infected individual," they added.

Cystitis is characterized by painful urination. Oth¬ers may experience a burning or itching sensation. Patients have a frequent urge to urinate and their urine may be cloudy or bloody. Occasionally, they may have low back pain and a slight fever.

To diagnose the problem and identify the infecting agent, your doc¬tor will rely on urine tests as well as the symptoms present. If there is reason to doubt the results of a simple urinalysis, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) may be inserted into the bladder through the urethra although this is not always necessary in men.

For difficult or chronic cases of cystitis which are usually caused by an obstruction, special x-ray studies may be required to make a correct diagnosis. Cystitis is a simple problem which can be treated easily; but if the underlying prob¬lem is not treated, recurrence is common and things can get worse.

Oral antibiotics are the first line of defense against cystitis. Large single doses may be used or the drugs may be given for months depending on the severity of the problem.

"If the same organism is causing the trouble, the condition may require larger doses of medication or long-term treatment (for up to four to six weeks). If cystitis persists daily doses of medications may be necessary for up to six months. It is important that dosage instructions be followed exactly, because a person is vulnerable to a new infection or reinfection if the entire course of recommended drug therapy is not completed," said Consumer Guide's “Family Health & Medical Guide.”

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