One of the unpleasant diseases that are widespread in the modern world is cystitis or cystitis. This disease can be independent and can be a complication of other pathologies. Cystitis is a urinary tract disease consisting in inflammation of the lining of the bladder. It occurs in men, women and children. The female sex is more prone to this disease due to the peculiarities of the anatomy of their body: the female urethra is short and wide, which is very convenient for the penetration of infections into the body. Many people think of cystitis as a female disease. This begs the question: do men have cystitis? Answer: Of course it happens, just less often. In percentage terms, the incidence of cystitis is about 25% in women and 0. 5% in men.
The main cause of the development of an infectious inflammatory process of the bladder is Escherichia coli, but chlamydia, ureaplasma and candida fungi are also dangerous. The development of cystitis is favored by a sedentary lifestyle, which provokes impaired blood circulation in the pelvic organs and bladder, reduced immunity, metabolic disorders, menopause, consumption of spicy foods, and diabetes mellitus. Cystitis occurs in two forms: acute and chronic. With acute cystitis, the patient has frequent and painful urination with possible bleeding. Symptoms of chronic cystitis are similar but not as pronounced. Chronic cystitis can become interstitial without the necessary treatment.
All forms can make serious changes in the usual way of life, reduce efficiency and cause psychological discomfort. Therefore, at the first symptoms, competent treatment should be initiated by a specialist. Cystitis is treated by urologists and gynecologists. These specialists determine how to treat cystitis, prescribe treatment, which usually includes pills to boost immunity, reduce inflammation and antibiotics. An example of cystitis is trigonitis. This means that the inflammation has spread to the cystic triangle. If only the lower part of the triangle is affected, we speak of cervical cystitis. Cervical cystitis owes its name to the location of the inflammation in the neck of the bladder. Treatment is a complex process that requires the patient to rest on bed, follow a strict diet, and drink plenty of water.
Speaking of cystitis in women, it is important to mention that this disease worsens before menstruation. Cystitis during menstruation is a fairly common occurrence. During this period, due to the anatomical and biological characteristics of the female body, the penetration of bacteria, protozoa and viruses into the genital tract and urethra becomes faster and more dangerous. In addition, during menstruation, the immunity of a woman or girl is very vulnerable, and if hygiene is not observed, the spilled blood can become an excellent source of food for uninvited guests. In addition, there are fungi of the genus Candida in the vagina, which themselves can provoke cystitis with a decrease in immunity.
Cystitis in children is also more common in girls than boys. This is due to the proximity of the short, wide urinary system and anus. Also, cystitis in children can be caused by hypothermia, a weakened immune system, and a hereditary factor. Bladder infections in babies are favored by today's constant wearing of diapers and the presence of stones in the urinary organs.
Cystitis in men is typical for representatives of mature age. Male symptoms of this disease are identical to female ones. The cause of the development of cystitis in men almost always lies in the penetration of the infection through the blood of nearby inflamed organs.
In addition to the traditional perception of the causes of cystitis, psychosomatic provocations are also possible. The psychosomatics of cystitis has its place, because this disease manifests itself during a period of life that is changing. Cystitis is often seen in people who tend to hold back or suppress their emotions.
types of cystitis
Asmentioned above, a distinction is made between acute and chronic cystitis. Acute cystitis is defined as cystitis, which occurred for the first time in the patient and did not become a chronic disease. If exacerbations of cystitis occur 2 or more times within 6 months, or 3 or more times within a year, such cystitis is called recurrent. Exacerbation of cystitis and acute form of cystitis are not synonymous. Exacerbations indicate complications of the disease. In the absence of effective and complete treatment, acute cystitis becomes chronic. The development of acute cystitis is unexpected. Symptoms of acute cystitis are more pronounced than chronic ones. Exacerbations of the disease occur mainly in spring and autumn. In most cases, gram-negative enterobacteria and coagulase-negative types of staphylococci become a provocateur of the development of infectious cystitis. Cystitis is diverse in its types. Doctors distinguish the following types: hemorrhagic, interstitial, radiation, sexual, postcoital, cervical, hypercalceuric, chemical, allergic and parasitic cystitis. Let's take a closer look:
- Hemorrhagic cystitis is inflammation of the bladder caused by an infection. It is characterized by excretion of urine with an unpleasant odor and bloody discharge;
- With interstitial cystitis, the inflammatory process develops due to a non-infectious nature. This type is characterized by pain when filling the bladder and a decrease in its volume. With interstitial cystitis, not only the mucous membrane becomes inflamed, but also the submucosal layer;
- One of the consequences of radiation therapy is radiation cystitis. This happens due to damage to the lining of the bladder;
- Sexual cystitis develops due to changes in the microflora on the basis of sex. Its subspecies is venereological cystitis caused by sexually transmitted diseases;
- When infection enters the urethra and bladder, postcoital cystitis develops. Its main pathogens are Escherichia coli, mycoplasma and other infections;
- cervical cystitis - inflammation of the neck of the bladder. This species may exhibit urinary incontinence;
- with metabolic disorders, hypercalceuric cystitis may develop, especially when the kidneys begin to secrete calcium salt crystals;
- with intoxication of the bladder, chemical cystitis develops, but it is not very common;
- Allergens that got into the human body (in the form of food, medicines, cosmetics and household chemicals) can cause allergic cystitis;
- helminthic invasions can often cause a parasitic form of cystitis
Regardless of the type of cystitis, treatment is possible with antibacterial drugs, bed rest, dry heat, herbal decoctions and adequate fluid intake.
Symptoms of cystitis
The symptoms of a bladder infection are basically the same in women, men and children. Cystitis, as a rule, provokes frequent urination in small portions, which leads to pain and burning. The urine becomes cloudy and takes on a sharp, unpleasant odor. It is not uncommon for a small amount of blood to pass through the urine. With cystitis, weakness and pain in the lumbar region can be observed.
Symptoms of cystitis in children and the elderly are not so pronounced and can manifest themselves in the form of temperature changes, stomach pain and nausea. In old age, cystitis may be asymptomatic. Another symptom of cystitis is urinary incontinence.
The first manifestation of the disease is the frequent urge to urinate. The desire to go to the toilet can occur every few minutes during the day and night. Sometimes women lose control of this process and urination occurs spontaneously.
As the inflammatory process progresses, the clinical picture is supplemented by the following symptoms:
- severe itching and burning in the vulva;
- suprapubic pain radiating to lower back;
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- Color change, smell of urine.
In severe cases, attacks of cystitis are accompanied by high fever, nausea, vomiting and blood in the urine.
The female symptoms of cystitis are dysuria and nocturia. Characteristic of such states is the application of urinary urgency (urge pressure), involuntary urinary incontinence, pain at the beginning and at the end of urination. With acute cystitis, there is an increase in body temperature and a weakened state of health.
The symptoms of cystitis in men are similar to those in women: frequent urination, especially at night, cramps and pain in the pubic area and perineum, presence of mucus and blood in the urine.
Cystitis in children is not always detected immediately, since it is more difficult for a child to explain his condition and the nature of the pain, and newborns cannot explain anything at all. As in adults, children usually experience weakness, abdominal pain, pain and burning. The color of the urine becomes dark yellow. The child becomes lethargic and has a temperature of up to 38 ° C. Cystitis in boys is less common than in girls.
Causes of cystitis
The most common cause of cystitis is bacteria entering the bladder through the urethra, particularly Escherichia coli. Cystitis after intercourse develops due to prolonged friction of the urethra. As a rule, the first symptoms of cystitis after sexual intercourse are observed after 12 hours. The cause of the development of cystitis can be an allergy to intimate cosmetics. In children, the cause of cystitis can be the pathology of the urinary organs, when the flow of urine is disturbed and it can fall back into the ureter. Elderly people often have difficulty moving and lead a sedentary lifestyle. This leads to incomplete emptying of the bladder and infrequent urination, which can lead to the development of cystitis. Cystitis affects people who often refrain from urinating for various reasons. The presence of a tumor can be one of the causes of cystitis, but this phenomenon is rare.
The causes of cystitis in women are associated with a violation of the microflora of the vagina. Most often, infectious and allergic inflammation is manifested in women. Gonorrhea with no less success can provoke cystitis. Hypothermia is considered a major risk for women. So, let's highlight the most common causes of cystitis in women:
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- hypothermia (sitting in the cold);
- urinary obstruction;
- weak immunity;
- Pregnancy;
- surgical intervention in the genital organs and their infection.
The causes of cystitis in men are the presence of diseases of the urinary system, of which cystitis is a complication. In general, the causes are similar to women: urinary stasis, hypothermia, E. coli and gonorrhea (and other sexually transmitted diseases) also provoke the disease. Cystitis in men can be associated with tuberculosis of the genitourinary system. With infectious and viral diseases, cystitis can develop due to the hematogenous pathway. The development of cystitis is promoted by diabetes mellitus, abdominal trauma, stress and surgical interventions in the urogenital system.
Classification of cystitis in women
Depending on the nature of the course, acute and chronic forms of the disease are distinguished. Acute cystitis usually develops spontaneously after exposure to provoking factors. If the symptoms of the disease last longer than 14 days, chronic inflammation occurs.
With acute cystitis, the inflammatory process does not go beyond the mucous membrane, submucosal layer. The clinical picture is represented by frequent urination, pain in the bladder area, the presence of pus in the urine, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, false urge to urinate.
Severe forms of acute inflammation are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, severe intoxication. Painful sensations are localized not only in the area of \u200b\u200bthe pubic bone, but also give genitals to the perineum. In the urine there are many leukocytes, cells of the mucous membrane of the bladder, bacteria.
Chronic cystitis in women is accompanied by structural changes affecting the walls and muscles of the bladder. In this case, the disease does not develop independently, it is usually preceded by diseases of the kidneys, urethra, genital organs, sclerosis of the neck of the bladder, adenoma of the prostate, urolithiasis. Given the multifactorial etiology of chronic cystitis, treatment in women is selected only after determining the causes of the development of the disease.
The disease often progresses with relapses and exacerbations. With chronic inflammation, damage to the kidneys, throat, lateral, posterior and anterior walls of the bladder is not excluded.
Diagnosis of cystitis
Laboratory tests are the basis for diagnosing cystitis. To confirm or identify cystitis, the patient may be referred for the following tests:
- complete blood count - allows you to identify the inflammatory process by increasing ESR and leukocytes;
- Urinalysis - in the presence of cystitis shows protein. The results of microscopic examination of the sediment with cystitis reveal an increase in leukocytes and erythrocytes. Urine with cystitis becomes cloudy and may turn pink with bleeding;
- Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko - they turn to him if there are erythrocytes in the urine sediment and a high number of leukocytes. For this analysis it is necessary to pass the average stream of urine in the morning;
- Urine bacteriological diagnosis allows you to establish the culprit of cystitis. This is important when prescribing antibiotic therapy;
- special test strips for leukocytes allow you to calculate their high concentration in the urine;
- Nitrite test strips allow the detection of an infection in the urinary tract.
During menstruation, women should not give urine for tests because the results can be inaccurate.
Rules for passing a urine test for cystitis
Before you start collecting morning urine, you need to rinse the genitals with warm water or a disinfectant solution. Before a urine test, you should not eat foods that can affect the color of urine, it is better not to drink compote, fruit drinks and kefir (affects the acid flora). Also, you can not take diuretics and laxatives.
treatment of cystitis
Can a bladder infection be permanently cured? This is probably the main question that worries people who have personally experienced this disease. This is possible if the right treatment is started at the right time. How and how to treat a bladder infection is determined by the urologist. As a rule, the doctor chooses complex therapy. In addition to drug treatment, compliance with diet, bed and drinking regimens plays an important role. Let's clarify that the amount of daily water intake should be at least 2-2. 5 liters, and the diet includes the consumption of diuretics and the rejection of alcohol, coffee, spicy, fried, smoked, salty, sour, canned food and preservatives . Compliance with these regimens is a general rule in the treatment of cystitis in women, men and children. Let's examine aspects of the treatment of cystitis in more detail.
Treatment of cystitis in women does not require hospitalization and can be done at home. A heating pad placed on the lower abdomen and a warm bath help with unpleasant symptoms. For the period of treatment for cystitis, women must temporarily refuse sexual intercourse. The desired result of therapy is the normalization of the vaginalmicroflora. Women are mainly prescribed penicillin antibiotics to neutralize microbes and preparations with beneficial bacteria to stabilize microflora. Candles with belladonna will help calm the inflammation. Depending on the doctor's requirements, the treatment lasts less than a week. Important questions for women: how to treat cystitis during pregnancy and is it dangerous for the fetus? Cystitis is a disease that, if not treated properly during pregnancy, can provoke complications in the form of kidney infections and premature birth. For the treatment of cystitis during pregnancy, doctors choose the safest drugs. Infectious cystitis causes difficulties, since its treatment requires antibiotics, which are not recommended for the fetus. Painkillers and anticholinergics, drugs that relax the bladder muscles, are used to treat cystitis in pregnant women. Postpartum cystitis results from the pinched position of the bladder and impaired blood flow during labor, catheterization, and cooling, as well as postpartum suppression of the immune system. Cystitis that appeared during breastfeeding is safer to treat with herbal preparations, but we must remember that, like any drug, only a doctor can prescribe it.
To eliminate pain and frequent urges to urinate, doctors prescribe antispasmodic drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The choice of drugs for cystitis in men depends on the current pathologies of the genitourinary system. Physiotherapy and sanatoriums are good assistants to improve the condition after exacerbation and during remission.
As antibiotics for cystitis are used:
- fluoroquinolones
- nitrofurans
Treatment of cystitis in children should only be prescribed and supervised by a doctor. Self-administration of antibiotics to children can lead to serious health problems in the future. Sick children, like sick adults, need rest, diet, and warm sitz baths. In the acute form, uroseptics, analgesics, antibacterial drugs are usually prescribed. The main task of parents in the treatment of children is strict adherence to medical recommendations, in particular, the dosage of drugs and the duration of their use. Chronic cystitis in children is mainly the result of phimosis, genital infections, urethritis, diverticula and other diseases. This indicates that therapy for chronic cystitis is scheduled depending on the comorbidity.
To prevent cystitis in children and adults, it makes sense to take preventive measures. Prevention of cystitis includes observing hygiene rules (daily water treatments with soap), wearing clean linen, strengthening immunity, competent and healthy nutrition.
Medicines for cystitis
Preparations for bladder infections in women, men and children include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and general tonics. Means of choice for cystitis with active ingredients: fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, furazidin. Alternative antibacterial therapy for cystitis with active substances: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, levofloxacin hemihydrate. The first three drugs have been used to treat cystitis for many years and have not lost their relevance to this day. Let's consider in more detail the features of remedies for cystitis.
broad spectrum antibiotics. The course of therapy with these drugs ranges from a week to 10 days. It is recommended to consume them after meals. These cystitis drugs are good for first aid in the event of an exacerbation. The disadvantages of drugs include a large number of side effects.
The ideal antibiotic for bladder infections with fosfomycin, so to speak. It is available in tablet and powder form to be dissolved in water. This modern tool has a minimal list of side effects, which is a definite plus when choosing a drug. The drug has a rapid point of absorption and action, aimed at the bacteria that cause the development of cystitis. With just one tablet from cystitis, you can achieve a successful therapeutic effect. It's hard to believe, but it has been proven that a single dose of an antibiotic will help get rid of all the unpleasant symptoms of cystitis. But that's not all the advantages: the substance fosfomycin is effective and safe for treating cystitis during pregnancy. It is recommended to take it at bedtime after urinating. The effect of the antibiotic lasts for 3 days.
In the treatment of cystitis, herbal remedies have also proven their worth, which can be used together with antibiotics to increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevent the development of further exacerbation after an acute flare-up for a long time. For these purposes, long-term intake of decoctions of various diuretic and antiseptic herbal preparations or official herbal medicines is indicated. Treatment of cystitis with herbs is successfully combined with drug therapy. Studies have shown that the result of herbal medicine is observed in a couple of weeks. The advantage of using herbal preparations is their naturalness. But plants are not always safe for our bodies, so respecting the doses is very important. The dosage of using herbal preparations differs depending on the age of the patient. So, for example, the daily dose of herbal tea for children under 1 year old is half a teaspoon, for children under 3 years old - 1 teaspoon, from 6 to 10 years old - 1 tablespoon, for adults - 2 tablespoons. Here is an example of a bladder infection herb gathering recipe that you can recreate at home.
Prevention of cystitis in women
In half of the cases, the cystitis recurs in women. To prevent attacks of the disease and its recurrence, it is enough to follow a number of simple recommendations:
- Pay more attention to personal hygiene. Girls should be taught from an early age to keep their genitals extra clean, wash daily, and change their underwear.
- When choosing underwear, women should pay attention to its composition. You can not wear products made of synthetic fabrics and unsuitable size.
- Drink plenty of clear, clean water. Maintaining normal water balance in the body strengthens the immune system, and frequent urination accelerates the removal of pathogenic microflora from the genitourinary system.
- Avoid hypothermia, wear clothing appropriate to the season, do not wear short skirts and thin tights in the cold season.
- Do not tolerate urges to urinate.
Many women do not consider cystitis to be a serious condition and try to deal with the pain on their own. The situation is particularly dangerous if they start taking antibiotics on the advice of friends or acquaintances. At the first symptoms of the pathology, it is necessary to consult a doctor and strictly follow all his recommendations. The treatment regimen is selected strictly individually, based on the nature of the course of the disease, its form and the presence of concomitant diseases.