What Is Cystitis?

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder, sometimes involving the tube that drains urine from the bladder, called the urethra.

Cystitis is the most common form of urinary tract infection and occurs mainly in women. But men and children also can experience cystitis.

Elderly men and women are especially at high risk for cystitis. Nearly one-third experiences the condition.

Bacterial infection causes most bouts of cystitis. Although the urinary tract is normally sterile, germs sometimes may enter the body through the urethra and grow inside the bladder.

This bacterial growth causes the inside walls of the bladder to become inflamed. That inflammation leads to the common symptoms of cystitis.

Cystitis does not:

• Cause cancer

• Lead to more serious kidney disease in otherwise healthy individuals

Occasionally, no cause can be found for a bladder inflammation.

Understanding How the Bladder Works

The bladder is a balloon-like sac that sits in the lower part of the abdomen in front of the bowel. It stores the urine that the kidneys produce as they filter out waste products from the bloodstream.

• As urine forms in the kidneys, it travels down the ureters, which are the tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder.

• The urine is stored in the bladder until the person feels the urge to urinate.

• Going to the bathroom to urinate causes the bladder to contract.

• This releases the urine, which passes down a tube called the urethra.

• The urethra connects the bladder to the outside of the body.

Urinating allows the body to continually remove certain waste products from its system.