Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are very common and often recur. Cystitis is a common bacterial condition that usually affects women (they are about 8 times more likely than men to have it).
What is bacterial cystitis
Cystitis of a bacterial nature is characterized by an inflammatory process in the walls of the bladder. It responds well to treatment and does not usually require hospitalization.
Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the genitourinary system, most of the complaints about this problem come from women, but sometimes men experience it too.
reasons for development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for one reason - as a result of the penetration of pathogens into the bladder.
The following factors can provoke the disease:
- non-observance of hygiene rules;
- the presence of chronic infections;
- postponed installation of a urinary catheter;
- use of spermicidal contraceptives;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- atrophic vaginitis in history.
In men, STIs are the most common factor in causing the disease. The occurrence of cystitis can be influenced by prolonged exposure to cold, frequent stressful situations and the use of certain medications, but all these factors are considered concomitant. Affecting the overall immunity of the body, they increase the likelihood of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder ascendingly, lymphogenically and hematogenously. A necessary condition for the development of the disease is the penetration of bacteria into the walls of the bladder.
symptoms
Bacterial cystitis in patients of either sex begins with an acute phase.
It can be recognized by several special features:
- the appearance of frequent urges to the toilet;
- pain, burning and discomfort when urinating;
- Excretion of a small amount of blood in the urine;
- false urge to go to the toilet, decrease in the amount of urine passed.
In addition to specific symptoms, the patient may experience the following signs of cystitis:
- pain during and after intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- increase in body temperature;
- drawing pains in the lower back.
A progressive disease leads to cloudy urine and the appearance of a specific odor. Urinary incontinence can also occur when you sneeze or cough. The chronic form of cystitis is characterized by the same symptoms as the acute one, but they become less pronounced and more intense.
Special features compared to other forms
Cystitis is a disease that has a large number of forms and manifestations. The most common bacterial, fungal and viral cystitis of an infectious nature. In some cases, the disease is caused by a "descending" kidney infection.
In addition to those listed, there is an extensive group of non-infectious cystitis. They can arise as a result of non-biological mucosal damage.
There are types of cystitis:
- Traumatic or cystitis of a foreign body. It develops with prolonged use of a urinary catheter, leading to tissue damage.
- Interstitial or autoimmune.A chronic form of the disease, which is difficult to diagnose and treat, since the exact causes of its development have not yet been established by specialists. Most often, this form of cystitis can be recognized by severe pain when filling the bladder, as well as a very frequent urge to urinate - in some cases their number can reach 100 times a day.
- Beam. Occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Radiation affects the lining of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urination, and blood in the urine.
- Allergic.It occurs in response to allergens that have entered the body.
- Chemically toxic. This form of the disease can occur when using spermicidal gels, hygienic sprays or chlorine into the urethra when visiting the swimming pool.
diagnosis
Even if specific symptoms are present, a bladder infection can only be diagnosed with the help of a laboratory urine test. The analysis allows you to identify the presence of protein, an excessive percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (the presence of red blood cells). In addition, a bacterial culture is performed, thanks to which the doctor can identify the causative agent of the disease and select the most effective drugs.
In men, the prostate is additionally examined and tests are carried out to exclude a number of genital infections, which can be hidden and asymptomatic. Women need to be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to assess the microflora.
Methods of treating bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires drug treatment with antibacterial drugs. The doctor selects the appropriate means, having examined the results of laboratory tests. The disease in the chronic stage requires therapy for 7-10 days. In many cases, an integrated approach to the treatment of cystitis is effective.
etiological treatment
Since the cause of the inflammatory process in the bladder is usually an infection, most often patients are prescribed antibacterial drugs. The most common causative agent of cystitis is Escherichia coli, this uropathogenic microorganism is detected in 75-90% of cases.
In 5-10% of patients, the disease is caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus, other enterobacteria are less common.
Pathogenetic treatment
Antibacterial therapy in women can eliminate the bacteria in the bladder but does not affect the bacteria in the gut. They fall back to the surface of the perineum, down the urethra, and then into the bladder. The bladder's membrane, which is designed to protect it from bacterial invasion, is ruptured during cystitis, causing a high likelihood of the disease recurring.
In world practice, the treatment of the chronic form of cystitis by introducing sodium hyaluron into the bladder is widespread. There are oral agents, but more often their combination is the most effective.
Such drugs allow:
- protect the walls of the bladder from the penetration of bacteria;
- restore the damaged protective layer of the mucous membrane;
- protect the urothelium from the influence of toxic components contained in urine;
- significantly reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process occurring in the bladder.
This technique is effective in cases of relapse, resistance to antibacterial drugs and lack of results from other forms of therapy. Another advantage is to reduce the likelihood of recurrence and get rid of cystitis for a long time, even in advanced cases.
Symptomatic treatment that reduces the manifestations of the disease
Bacterial cystitis in women causes discomfort and pain that can be severe. It is possible to deal with symptomatic treatment, the main goal of which is to alleviate the general condition of the patient.
In most cases, doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and recommend avoiding tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. To relieve pain, you can take warm baths and use a heating pad. It is important to drink enough water while treating a bladder infection.
Remedies to treat bacterial cystitis in women
Therapy of cystitis in women involves oral medications. Coping with the disease in a short time allows for an integrated approach, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
antibiotics
The basis of the treatment of cystitis is the use of drugs that can selectively inhibit or destroy pathogens. For the treatment of inflammatory processes that occur in the urogenital system of the body, uroseptics are used, which are excreted through the kidneys, thereby providing an effective concentration of the drug in the inflammatory area.
| antibiotic | description |
|---|---|
| phosphonic acid derivative | Water-soluble powder with citrus flavor. This drug is considered one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. It works for about 2 hours, after 2 days it is completely eliminated from the body. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the group of macrolides 2nd generation | White tablets. It is prescribed to patients who have developed cystitis as a result of a sexual infection. |
| Second-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic | Orange tablets. 1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the drug is completely eliminated from the body within 1 day. |
| First-generation quinolone antibiotic | Affects a variety of viruses. The active substance, available in the form of hard capsules, is nalidixic acid. |
| First-generation quinolone antibiotic | Available in capsule form, the active ingredient is pipemidic acid. Begins to work within the first 1. 5 hours of ingestion. Up to 85% of the active ingredient is excreted within a day. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the group of III. generation | Orange tablets with a berry scent. The action of the drug is to suppress the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Painkiller
For cystitis, doctors usually prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.
Patients who experience a relapse of the disease often have to take such drugs as the main ones. The same approach is used in cases where the use of antibiotics is not possible for one reason or another. As a complex therapy, a specialist can prescribe antispasmodic drugs that block painful spasms of the bladder wall.
In the acute phase of the disease, the bladder can shrink, preventing normal emptying. Muscle relaxation solves this problem and has an analgesic effect, improves blood circulation and restores the normal functioning of the organ.
It is important to consider that antispasmodics affect systemic blood flow and the functioning of internal organs, so they are not used for problems with hematopoiesis, kidney and liver failure, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and some other health problems. Therefore, their intake and dosage must be coordinated with the doctor.
diuretics
Diuretics are prescribed to restore normal urination, which is an important factor in treating cystitis. The most economical are herbal diuretics or herbal remedies intended for adjuvant therapy.
Among them are:
- A preparation in the form of a paste consisting of herbs and essential extracts. A small amount of this remedy is diluted with water and taken orally.
- Herbal tablets or solution with centaury, lovage root and rosemary leaves. It has both a diuretic and antimicrobial effect on the body.
- herbal collections. The composition of such herbal remedies includes herbs that stimulate urine production and have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and relaxing effects. As part of the fees you can find oak bark, St. John's wort, chamomile and flax. Such funds are effective in various forms of cystitis, and are also used in advanced cases.
drinking mode
Drinking enough fluids can reduce urine concentration and irritation of inflamed bladder walls, increase urination, and speed up the elimination of disease-causing bacteria. Doctors recommend drinking at least 2-3 liters of water a day, depending on the patient's body weight. With cystitis, bed rest is required, which allows you to speed up the process of treatment and recovery.
prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis is a good prophylactic, which can both prevent you from developing this condition and protect you from possible recurrences after treatment.
Most experts recommend taking preventive measures:
- Hygiene. It is necessary to wash at least 1 time per day, the direction should be from front to back. Thus, it is possible to avoid the penetration of pathogens from the anus into the area of \u200b\u200bthe vagina and urethra (this is the mechanism that most often leads to the development of cystitis in women).
- Drink enough liquid.
- Use of barrier contraceptives.
- Protection against hypothermia and long stay in a wet swimsuit.
- Abandoning synthetic underwear in favor of underwear made from natural fabrics.
It is also recommended that women urinate after each intercourse to get rid of any bacteria that may have entered the urethra. It is just as important to empty the bladder regularly, since stagnant urine is a favorable environment for the multiplication of pathogens.
If the symptoms return within 14 days after stopping therapy, it is necessary to pass urine for bacterial culture. Treatment failure may be due to the low sensitivity of the microorganism to the chosen drug.
Possible complications and chronicity of the disease
Untreated cystitis can develop into a chronic form, which is much more difficult to get rid of and is more expensive to treat. You can avoid this consequence if you contact a specialist in good time at the first signs of the disease. A fairly common complication is vesicoureteral reflux. It occurs when urine enters the ureter from the bladder, that is, in the opposite direction.
This process, if not properly attended to, can lead to inflammation of the uterus, peritonitis, or inflammation of the peritoneum. The inflammatory process in the walls of the bladder sometimes causes abscesses and scars, resulting in a reduction in the amount of urine it can hold. In this case, the patient faces frequent and painful urination.
In men, persistent cystitis can lead to leakage of urine into the prostate, inflammatory process in the prostate, and inflammation of the epididymis. Reproductive problems can occur in women. Bladder infection, which is bacterial in nature, in an acute form in pregnant women can lead to miscarriage. Therefore, the treatment, which in most cases lasts about a week, cannot be postponed.