Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCystitis vs. UTI: DifferencesCystitis vs. UTI: SymptomsWhat Causes Cystitis and UTIs?How Are Cystitis and UTIs Diagnosed?How Are Cystitis and UTIs Treated?Cystitis TreatmentHow to Prevent Cystitis and UTIs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Cystitis vs. UTI: Differences
Cystitis vs. UTI: Symptoms
What Causes Cystitis and UTIs?
How Are Cystitis and UTIs Diagnosed?
How Are Cystitis and UTIs Treated?
Cystitis Treatment
How to Prevent Cystitis and UTIs
Identifyingcystitisvs. urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be tricky because there are many similarities. However, there are some key differences too.
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder that can result from infectious or noninfectious causes. UTIs are infections of the urinary tract, including everything from the urethra to the bladder to the kidneys.
The article will compare the two conditions, along with symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention.
Cystitis is inflammation that occurs only in the bladder.In contrast, UTIs are an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary tract—the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys.
Mild cases of cystitis will often get better in a few days.However, if there is a bladder infection or other UTI and any complications—such as pregnancy, diabetes, or a mild kidney infection—it will last longer and antibiotics will be prescribed for seven to 14 days.
Many symptoms are the same for cystitis and UTIs. However, fever, nausea, and vomiting are more likely to occur with UTIs—especially if the infection is in the kidneys.
Cystitis Symptoms
UTI Symptoms
In addition to the above symptoms, with a UTI, you may also experience:
In older people, mental changes or confusion may be the only signs of cystitis or UTI.
How to Sleep With UTI Discomfort: Home Remedies and Treatments
There are a variety of causes of cystitis and UTIs.
Cystitis Causes
The most common cause of cystitis is a bacterial infection. Some conditions can increase the chances of this occurring, including:
Still, it can have other causes that are not related to an infection such as:
Cystitis can be an acute condition that develops suddenly or a long-term condition calledinterstitial cystitis. Both types can be managed, and they may even go away on their own.
Risk factors for developing cystitis include being an older adult and being female, as the urethra (the tube carrying urine out of the body from the bladder) is shorter and closer to the rectum than a male’s.
UTI Causes
Bacteria that may cause UTIs include:
Factors that may increase your risk for developing a UTI are very similar to risk factors for developing cystitis.
Urinalysis tests and urine cultures check for white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, and other particles that could help diagnose the condition.
Other tests might include:
Treatment for cystitis and UTIs depends on what is causing the conditions. Your healthcare provider can help you determine which treatment is best for you.
Many mild cases of cystitis can be managed at home until they resolve on their own. Home remedies to help resolve symptoms include:
Sometimes over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) may help to reduce pain and discomfort associated with cystitis. Ask your healthcare provider about the best option for you.
Medications commonly used to treat cystitis include:
UTI Treatment
Common medications prescribed to treat UTIs are:
Severe infections may require hospitalization and treatment with intravenous (IV) antibiotics. If you experience a fever, vomiting, or pain in your back or sides, seek medical attention right away because this could be a sign of a more serious infection.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Cystitis Prevention
There are no strategies to fully prevent cystitis. Still, some lifestyle changes may be able to lower your risk, including:
UTI Prevention
The methods mentioned above may also lower your risk of developing other types of UTIs. In addition, urinating after sexual intercourse can help flush bacteria away that are close to the urethra and prevent them from entering the urinary tract.
In addition, some research suggests drinking unsweetened cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements or dietary supplements, likeD-mannose, may help lower the risk of developing urinary tract infections.
If you experience recurrent UTIs, your healthcare provider may suggest long-term antibiotics, probiotics, and other options to reduce the recurrence of infections.
Summary
There are many similarities between the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of cystitis and UTIs. Your healthcare provider can help you distinguish the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan to help.
If you experience a fever, blood in your urine, or pain in your back or sides, contact your healthcare provider right away because these could be signs of a serious infection. However, mild cases may heal on their own, and both of these conditions are treatable.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Health Service UK.Cystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.Penn Medicine.Urinary tract infection (UTI).MedlinePlus.Cystitis.Medline Plus.Cystitis - noninfectious.Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231Kolman KB.Cystitis and pyelonephritis: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.Prim Care. 2019;46(2):191-202. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001Colgan R, Williams M.Diagnosis and treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis.Am Fam Physician. 2011;84(7):771-776.Centers for Disease Control.Urinary tract infection.Hisano M, Bruschini H, Nicodemo AC, Srougi M.Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention.Clinics(Sao Paulo). 2012;67(6):661-667. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(06)18
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Health Service UK.Cystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.Penn Medicine.Urinary tract infection (UTI).MedlinePlus.Cystitis.Medline Plus.Cystitis - noninfectious.Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231Kolman KB.Cystitis and pyelonephritis: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.Prim Care. 2019;46(2):191-202. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001Colgan R, Williams M.Diagnosis and treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis.Am Fam Physician. 2011;84(7):771-776.Centers for Disease Control.Urinary tract infection.Hisano M, Bruschini H, Nicodemo AC, Srougi M.Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention.Clinics(Sao Paulo). 2012;67(6):661-667. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(06)18
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Health Service UK.Cystitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.Penn Medicine.Urinary tract infection (UTI).MedlinePlus.Cystitis.Medline Plus.Cystitis - noninfectious.Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231Kolman KB.Cystitis and pyelonephritis: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.Prim Care. 2019;46(2):191-202. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001Colgan R, Williams M.Diagnosis and treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis.Am Fam Physician. 2011;84(7):771-776.Centers for Disease Control.Urinary tract infection.Hisano M, Bruschini H, Nicodemo AC, Srougi M.Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention.Clinics(Sao Paulo). 2012;67(6):661-667. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(06)18
National Health Service UK.Cystitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Bladder infection (urinary tract infection-UTI) in adults.
Penn Medicine.Urinary tract infection (UTI).
MedlinePlus.Cystitis.
Medline Plus.Cystitis - noninfectious.
Chu CM, Lowder JL.Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections across age groups.American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;219(1):40-51. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2017.12.231
Kolman KB.Cystitis and pyelonephritis: diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.Prim Care. 2019;46(2):191-202. doi:10.1016/j.pop.2019.01.001
Colgan R, Williams M.Diagnosis and treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis.Am Fam Physician. 2011;84(7):771-776.
Centers for Disease Control.Urinary tract infection.
Hisano M, Bruschini H, Nicodemo AC, Srougi M.Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention.Clinics(Sao Paulo). 2012;67(6):661-667. doi:10.6061/clinics/2012(06)18
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
