Rigi10™ Malleable Penile Prosthesis
Also Known As
Cystitis, Urinary Bladder Inflammation, Painful Bladder Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis (when chronic), IC/BPS (Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome), UTI (when infection-related), Radiation Cystitis (when caused by radiation therapy), Chemical Cystitis (when caused by chemical irritants)
Definition
Bladder inflammation, medically known as cystitis (sis-TIE-tis), is the swelling and irritation of the bladder wall characterized by discomfort, pain, and urinary symptoms.1 This condition occurs when the bladder tissue becomes inflamed due to various causes, including bacterial infections, chemical irritants, radiation therapy, certain medications, or autoimmune responses.2 The inflammation can be acute or chronic, with the latter potentially leading to long-term bladder dysfunction.3 In bacterial cystitis, which accounts for most cases, microorganisms (predominantly Escherichia coli) enter the urinary tract through the urethra and multiply in the bladder, triggering an inflammatory response.4 Non-infectious forms include interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a chronic condition characterized by bladder pain and irritative symptoms lasting more than six months without an identifiable cause.5
Clinical Context
Bladder inflammation is a common urological condition that affects individuals of all ages, though it occurs more frequently in women due to their shorter urethra, which allows bacteria easier access to the bladder.1 The clinical presentation typically includes urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria (painful urination), suprapubic discomfort, and occasionally hematuria (blood in urine).2
Patient selection for treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, and chronicity of the condition. For bacterial cystitis, antibiotic therapy is the standard approach, with the choice of agent guided by local resistance patterns and patient factors.1 For non-infectious forms such as interstitial cystitis, treatment is more complex and often requires a multimodal approach.5
In acute bacterial cystitis, symptoms typically resolve within 3-7 days of appropriate antibiotic therapy.2 However, chronic forms like interstitial cystitis require long-term management strategies, including behavioral modifications, oral medications, bladder instillations, and in refractory cases, surgical interventions.5
The expected outcomes vary based on the type of bladder inflammation. Bacterial cystitis generally has an excellent prognosis with appropriate treatment, while chronic forms like interstitial cystitis may require ongoing management to control symptoms and improve quality of life.3 Complications of untreated bladder inflammation can include kidney infection (pyelonephritis), recurrent infections, and in chronic cases, reduced bladder capacity and function.1