cystitis /sistī″tis/ [Gk, kystis + itis, inflammation] , an inflammatory condition of the urinary bladder and ureters, characterized by pain, urgency and frequency of urination, and hematuria. It may be caused by a bacterial infection, calculus, or tumor. Increased sexual activity in women can cause cystitis, and certain venereal diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia may cause cystitis-like symptoms. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include antibiotics, increased fluid intake, medications to control bladder wall spasms, and, when necessary, surgery.
