Final answer:
Cystitis is the inflammation of the bladder, commonly caused by a bacterial infection. It is a form of urinary tract infection with symptoms like painful urination and the frequent need to urinate. Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat cystitis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. It is a type of urinary tract infection that typically occurs when the bladder becomes infected by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. Although less common, cystitis can also be caused by fungi or be a reaction to certain irritants or treatments.
Symptoms include pain with urination, frequent urination, the feeling of needing to urinate despite an empty bladder, and potentially the presence of blood in the urine. If left untreated, a bladder infection can lead to a more serious infection called pyelonephritis, which affects the kidneys.
Urinary tract infections such as cystitis can also lead to inflammation in other parts of the urinary system, including urethritis and pyelonephritis. Cystitis is typically treated with antibiotics to eradicate the bacterial infection.