Cystitis (Bladder Infection) Treatment Near You in New Jersey
Patients experiencing cystitis can experience discomfort when going to the bathroom, impacting their daily lives. At Bergen Medical Associates, we provide cystitis and bladder infection treatments from our practice at locations near you in northern New Jersey. Our dedicated internal medicine team and state-of-the-art resources have helped establish us as a trusted name in our communities. Learn more about the bladder infection treatments we offer.
What Is Cystitis?
Cystitis is a condition that causes the bladder to become inflamed. It is often caused by an infection and can result in irritation and pain. If the condition is unaddressed, it can cause serious health problems as the infection spreads to your kidneys.
There are a few types of cystitis, with bacterial cystitis being the most common. In these cases, the condition is caused by bacteria entering the body through the urinary tract, resulting in a urinary tract infection (UTI). Noninfectious varieties can be caused by several other factors, including:
- Reactions to certain drugs, such as those used during chemotherapy
- Inflammation from radiation therapy
- Catheter use for an extended period
- Sensitivity to certain chemicals found in personal hygiene products
Interstitial cystitis is a type of noninfectious cystitis that results in chronic inflammation of the bladder. Also known as painful bladder syndrome, this condition is mostly found in women. Because its cause is unknown, interstitial cystitis can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Whichever type of cystitis you have, it’s important to get it diagnosed and treated, as it may be the result of another illness.
What Are Cystitis Symptoms?
Bladder infections happen inside the body and can lead to certain symptoms. Some signs you’ll want to look out for include:
- A consistent urge to urinate
- Discomfort or a burning sensation during urination
- Hematuria (blood in the urine)
- Small amounts of urine
- Urine with a strong smell
- Cloudy or dark urine
- A sensation of internal pressure below your belly button
- Low-grade fever
While many of these symptoms may seem more inconvenient than serious, you’ll want to seek medical attention if you are experiencing a high fever (temperature above 100°F), chills or shakiness, pain in the back or sides, or vomiting. These can be signs of a more serious issue, such as a kidney infection. It’s best to turn to experts in internal medicine if you feel any discomfort or irritation in the area. They may refer you to our urology department if more in-depth testing is needed.
What Are the Risk Factors of Cystitis?
In general, cystitis is more common in women than in men. Women with short urethras are at greater risk, as bacteria have a shorter route to the bladder. Other factors that may put one at risk include being sexually active, using birth control methods that feature spermicide, and being pregnant. Those going through menopause are also more likely to experience these infections because of the hormone changes their bodies are going through.
How Is Cystitis Diagnosed?
To correctly identify a bladder infection, a medical professional may review your symptoms and medical history. However, if further information is needed, your internal medicine or primary care doctor may refer you to a urologist. These doctors specialize in treating issues with the bladder and urinary tract. They may order a urine analysis test, which can help discover bacteria, blood, or pus within the urine. If needed, they may turn to medical imaging scans, such as X-rays or ultrasounds, to get a more in-depth look at the area without any invasive procedures.
What Are Cystitis Treatment Options?
Cystitis treatments will depend on the type of infection the patient is suffering from. Bacterial cystitis is typically treated with antibiotics. For first-time sufferers, only a few days’ worth of antibiotics may be necessary. However, for those with recurring problems, doctors will likely provide longer prescriptions and may even refer them to a specialist. Noninfectious cystitis brought on by hygiene products or household items is treated differently. Doctors often recommend their patients avoid the suspected culprit and drink more fluids to get the irritating substances out of the body.
If the cause of the infection is unknown, doctors will offer medication orally or through a tube placed in the bladder. Another potential treatment is called nerve stimulation, which involves the use of slight electrical pulses to help manage pain in the pelvis. If no other option has solved the problem, surgical options are possible, although they are rarely used.
If your condition has mainly led to discomfort, our team will suggest some at-home remedies you can try before looking into anything more serious. Drinking lots of fluids and avoiding things like alcohol, caffeine, and citrusy drinks is a simple way to prevent bladder irritation. Placing a heating pad on your lower abdomen can also help alleviate strain in the bladder area.
Get Reliable Bladder Infection Treatment Near You in New Jersey
If you’re experiencing symptoms of a bladder infection, turn to the experienced team at Bergen Medical Associates. We work hard to keep patients feeling their best, so we offer bladder infection treatment options to suit every situation. Our medical experts have plenty of experience helping patients in northern New Jersey get the care they need, allowing us to build a strong reputation as a trusted primary care provider.
Our dedicated team of internal medicine practitioners is passionate about what they do. We use an electronic health records system to digitally link your PCP with any of the specialists in our practice. This ensures your medical information gets where it needs to be quickly. We can even perform most diagnostic tests, including EKGs, spirometry, ultrasounds, and blood tests on-site, which saves you time and stress. If you don’t have time for an in-person appointment, we also offer telehealth visits to let you speak directly with a medical professional online.
To learn more about cystitis or to make an appointment with one of our medical professionals, contact us at Bergen Medical Associates today. We have locations in Emerson, Montvale, Northvale, Paramus, and Ridgewood, NJ, making it easy to find treatment near you.
