Cystitis, or cystitis, is one of the widespread unpleasant diseases in the modern world. This disease can be independent and can be a complication of other pathologies. Cystitis is a urinary tract disease consisting of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. It occurs in men, women and children. The female gender is more susceptible to this disease due to the peculiarities of the anatomy of the body: the female urethra is short and wide, which is very convenient for the infection to enter the body. Many people consider cystitis to be a woman's disease. Here the question arises: do men have cystitis? Answer: Of course it happens, but less often. Expressed as a percentage, the incidence of cystitis in women is about 25%, and in men - 0. 5%.
The main cause of the infectious inflammatory process of the bladder is Escherichia coli, but chlamydia, ureaplasma and Candida fungi are also dangerous. The development of cystitis is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, which causes circulatory disorders of the pelvic organs and bladder, reduced immunity, metabolic disorders, menopause, consumption of spicy foods and diabetes. Cystitis occurs in two forms: acute and chronic. In case of acute cystitis, the patient has frequent and painful urination, with possible bleeding. The symptoms of chronic cystitis are similar, but not as pronounced. Chronic cystitis can become interstitial in the absence of the necessary treatment.
All forms are capable of making serious changes in the usual way of life, reducing efficiency and causing psychological discomfort, therefore competent treatment should be started with a specialist when the first symptoms appear. Cystitis is treated by urologists and gynecologists. These specialists determine how to treat cystitis and prescribe treatment, which usually includes immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory pills and antibiotics. Cystitis is a multispecies disease. 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, then we are talking about bladder neck inflammation. Cervical cystitis owes its name to the localization of inflammation in the region of the bladder neck. Its treatment is a complex process that requires bed rest, a strict diet and drinking 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 phenomenon. 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, spilled blood can become an excellent source of food for uninvited guests. In addition, fungi of the genus Candida are found in the vagina and are able to provoke cystitis by themselves with a decrease in immunity.
Cystitis in children is also more common in girls than in boys. This is due to the short, wide urinary tract and proximity to the anus. Cystitis in children can be caused by hypothermia, a weakened immune system and hereditary factors. In babies, cystitis is promoted by the constant wearing of diapers, which is so common these days, and the presence of stones in the urinary organs.
Bladder inflammation in men is typical for representatives of mature age. Male symptoms of this disease are the same as female symptoms. Almost always, the reason for the development of cystitis in men lies in the penetration of the infection through the blood of the adjacent inflamed organs.
In addition to the traditional understanding of the causes of cystitis, psychosomatic provocations are also possible. The psychosomatics of cystitis has its place, because this disease manifests itself in a period of life changes. Cystitis is often observed in people who tend to suppress or repress their emotions.
Types of cystitis
As noted above, acute and chronic cystitis can be distinguished. Acute inflammation of the urinary bladder means cystitis that appeared for the first time in the patient and did not become a chronic disease. If the exacerbation of cystitis occurs twice or more within 6 months, or three or more times within a year, such cystitis is called recurrent. Exacerbation of cystitis and acute form of cystitis are not synonymous. Aggravation indicates complications of the disease. In the absence of effective and complete treatment, cystitis from the acute form becomes chronic. The development of acute cystitis is unexpected. Symptoms of acute cystitis are more pronounced than chronic ones. The aggravation of the disease occurs mainly in spring and autumn. In most cases, gram-negative enterobacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococci become the provocateurs of the development of infectious cystitis. There are different types of cystitis. 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 an inflammation of the bladder caused by an infection. It is characterized by unpleasant-smelling and bloody discharge of urine;
- in the case of 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. In the case of interstitial cystitis, not only the mucous membrane is inflamed, but also the layer under the mucous membrane;
- one of the consequences of radiation therapy is radiation infection. This happens due to damage to the mucous membrane of the bladder;
- genitourinary cystitis develops due to gender-based changes in the microflora. Its subtype is venereological cystitis caused by sexually transmitted diseases;
- when the infection enters the urethra and bladder, postcoital cystitis develops. Its main pathogens are Escherichia coli, mycoplasmas and other infections;
- cervical cystitis - inflammation of the neck of the bladder. This species can be associated with urinary incontinence;
- in case of metabolic disorders, hypercalceuric cystitis may develop, especially if the kidneys begin to excrete calcium salt crystals;
- with poisoning of the bladder, chemical cystitis develops, but this is not very common;
- allergens that enter the human body (in the form of food, drugs, cosmetics and household chemicals) can cause allergic cystitis;
- helminthic invasions are often able to cause parasitic forms of cystitis
Regardless of the type of cystitis, treatment includes antibacterial drugs, bed rest, dry heat, herbal decoctions, and sufficient fluid intake.
Symptoms of cystitis
The symptoms of cystitis are basically the same in women, men and children. Cystitis usually causes frequent urination in small doses, causing pain and burning sensation. Urine becomes cloudy and has a sharp unpleasant smell. It is not uncommon for a small amount of blood to pass through the urine. With cystitis, weakness and pain are observed in the lumbar region.
The symptoms of cystitis in children and the elderly are not so pronounced and can manifest in the form of temperature changes, heartburn and nausea. In old age, cystitis can be asymptomatic. Another symptom of cystitis is urinary incontinence.
The first manifestation of the disease is the frequent urge to urinate. The urge to go to the toilet can appear every few minutes during the day and at night. Sometimes women lose control over this process and urination occurs spontaneously.
With the development of the inflammatory process, the clinical picture is supplemented by the following symptoms:
- severe itching and burning in the vulva;
- suprapubic pain that radiates to the lower back;
- slight rise in body temperature;
- a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- color change, smell of urine.
In severe cases, cystitis attacks are accompanied by high fever, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine.
Female symptoms of cystitis are dysuria and nocturia. Such conditions are characterized by the use of efforts to urinate (the need to press), involuntary urinary incontinence, and pain at the beginning and end of the urination process. In case of acute inflammation of the urinary bladder, the body temperature rises and the state of health weakens.
In men, the symptoms of cystitis are similar to those of women: frequent urination, especially at night, cramps and pain in the vulva and perineum, the presence of mucus and blood in the urine.
Cystitis in children is not always determined immediately, since it is more difficult for the child to explain his condition and the nature of the pain, and newborns cannot explain anything at all. Children usually have weakness, discomfort in the lower abdomen, pain and burning, as in adults. The color of the urine becomes dark yellow. The child becomes lethargic and warms up to 38 ° C. Cystitis is less common in boys than in girls.
Causes of cystitis
The most common cause of cystitis is the entry of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, into the bladder through the urethra. Post-coital cystitis develops due to prolonged friction of the urethra. Usually, the first symptoms of cystitis can be observed 12 hours after sexual intercourse. Cystitis can be caused by an allergy to intimate cosmetics. In children, the cause of cystitis can be a pathology of the urinary organs, when the flow of urine is disturbed and can fall back into the ureter. Elderly people often find it difficult to move 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 frequently refrain from urinating for various reasons. The presence of a tumor can be one of the causes of cystitis, but this phenomenon rarely occurs.
In women, the causes of cystitis are associated with a violation of the microflora of the vagina. Most often, women show infectious and allergic types of inflammation. Gonorrhea can provoke cystitis with no less success. Hypothermia is a major risk for women. So let's highlight the most common causes of cystitis in women:
- failure to observe personal hygiene;
- hypothermia (sitting in the cold);
- urinary retention;
- weak immunity;
- pregnancy;
- surgical intervention in the genitals and their infection.
In men, the causes of cystitis are the presence of urinary tract diseases, against which cystitis is a complication. In general, the causes are similar to those of women: urinary stasis, hypothermia, E. coli and gonorrhea (and other STDs) also provoke the disease. In men, cystitis can be associated with tuberculosis of the urogenital system. In the presence of infectious and viral diseases, cystitis may develop due to the hematogenous route. The development of cystitis is facilitated by diabetes mellitus, abdominal trauma, stress and surgical interventions in the urinary system.
Classification of cystitis in women
According to 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 persist for more than 14 days, chronic inflammation occurs.
In acute cystitis, the inflammatory process does not go beyond the mucous membrane, the submucosal layer. The clinical picture is represented by frequent urination, pain in the area of the bladder, the presence of pus in the urine, the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, false urge to urinate.
Severe forms of acute inflammation are accompanied by an increase in body temperature and severe poisoning. Painful sensations are localized not only in the region of the pubic bone, but also in the perineum and genitals. Urine contains many leukocytes, cells of the bladder mucosa, and bacteria.
Chronic cystitis in women is accompanied by structural changes affecting the bladder wall and muscles. In this case, the disease does not develop independently, it is usually preceded by kidney, urethra, genital diseases, bladder neck sclerosis, prostate adenoma, and 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 continues with relapses and exacerbations. In the case of chronic inflammation, damage to the kidneys, neck, side, back and front wall of the bladder is not excluded.
Diagnosis of cystitis
Laboratory tests are the basis for the diagnosis of cystitis. To confirm or identify cystitis, the patient may be referred for the following tests:
- complete blood count - allows identifying the inflammatory process by increasing ESR and leukocytes;
- urinalysis - shows protein in the presence of cystitis. Microscopic examination of the sediment associated with cystitis results in an increase in the number of leukocytes and erythrocytes. In cystitis, the urine becomes cloudy and may turn pink with bleeding;
- urinalysis according to Nechiporenko - they turn to him if there are red blood cells in the urine sediment and the number of leukocytes is high. For this analysis, the average urine flow must be passed in the morning;
- Bacteriological diagnosis of urine makes it possible to determine the culprit of cystitis. This is important for prescribing antibiotic therapy;
- special test strips for leukocytes make it possible to calculate a high concentration of urine;
- Nitrite test strips allow the detection of urinary tract infections.
During menstruation, women should not provide urine for tests, as the results may be false.
Rules for passing a urine test for cystitis
Before starting to collect morning urine, rinse the genitals with warm water or an antiseptic solution. Before the urine test, you should not eat foods that can affect the color of the urine, it is better not to drink canned food, fruit drinks and kefir (it affects the acid flora). You can't take diuretics or laxatives either.
Treatment of cystitis
Can cystitis be permanently cured? This is probably the main question that worries those who have personally encountered this disease. This is possible if the right treatment is started at the right time. How and how to treat cystitis is determined by the urologist. Usually, the doctor chooses complex therapy. In addition to medication, adherence to eating, sleeping and drinking habits plays an important role. We clarify that the daily water intake should be at least 2-2. 5 liters, and the diet includes the consumption of diuretic products, as well as the rejection of alcohol, coffee, spicy, fried, smoked, salty, sour, canned and preservatives. . Adherence to these regimens is a general rule for cystitis in women, men, and children. Let's examine the aspects of cystitis treatment in more detail.
Treatment of cystitis in women does not require hospitalization and can be done at home. A heating pad applied to the lower abdomen and a warm bath help to cope with unpleasant symptoms. During the period of cystitis treatment, women should temporarily refuse sexual intercourse. The desired result of the therapy is the normalization of the vaginal microflora. For women, mainly penicillinantibiotics are prescribed to neutralize microbes, and preparations with beneficial bacteria to stabilize the microflora. Candles with belladonna help reduce inflammation. Depending on the doctor's instructions, 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 cause complications in the form of kidney infection and premature birth. Doctors choose the safest drugs to treat cystitis during pregnancy. Infectious cystitis is difficult because its treatment requires antibiotics that are not recommended for the fetus. To treat cystitis in pregnant women, pain relievers and anticholinergic drugs, drugs to relax the muscles of the bladder, are used. Postpartum cystitis develops due to the trapped position of the bladder and impaired blood circulation during labor, catheterization and cooling, as well as the weakening of the immune system after childbirth. It is safer to treat cystitis during breastfeeding with herbal preparations, but we must remember that, like all medicines, this can only be prescribed by a doctor.
In order to eliminate the pain and the frequent urge to urinate, doctors prescribe antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The choice of drugs for the treatment of cystitis in men depends on the current pathologies of the urogenital system. Physiotherapy and sanatoriums will be good helpers in improving the condition after exacerbation and during remission.
It is used as an antibiotic for cystitis:
- fluoroquinolones
- nitrofurans
Treatment of cystitis in children should only be prescribed and supervised by a doctor. Self-administration of antibiotics for children can lead to serious health problems in the future. Sick children, like sick adults, need rest, diet and a warm sitz bath. In the acute form, uroseptic, pain-relieving and antibacterial drugs are usually prescribed. The main task of parents in the treatment of children is to strictly follow medical recommendations, especially the dosage of medicines and the duration of their use. Chronic cystitis in children is mainly the result of phimosis, genital infections, urethritis, diverticulum and other diseases. This suggests that the treatment of chronic cystitis takes place based on comorbidity.
To prevent cystitis in children and adults, it is useful to take preventive measures. The prevention of cystitis includes compliance with hygiene rules (daily water treatment with soap), wearing clean bed linen, strengthening immunity, and a competent and healthy diet.
Medications to treat cystitis
Cystitis remedies for women, men, and children include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and general tonics. Medicines of choice for the treatment of cystitis with active ingredients: fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, furazidine. Alternative antibacterial therapy for the treatment of cystitis with active ingredients: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, levofloxacin hemihydrate. The first three drugs have been used to treat cystitis for many years and still have not lost their importance. Let's take a closer look at the features of cystitis remedies.
Broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. The duration of therapy with these drugs lasts from a week to 10 days. Their consumption is recommended after meals. These anti-vesitis agents are excellent for providing first aid for exacerbations. The disadvantages of the drugs include a large number of side effects.
The ideal antibiotic for cystitis is fosfomycin, so to speak. It is available in tablet and powder form to dissolve 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 fast absorption and a point of action aimed at the bacteria that cause cystitis. Only one tablet from cystitis allows to achieve a successful therapeutic effect. It's hard to believe, but it has been proven that a single dose of antibiotics helps to eliminate all the unpleasant symptoms of cystitis. But this is not all the advantages: fosfomycin is effective and safe for the treatment of cystitis during pregnancy. It is recommended to take it at bedtime, after urination. The effect of the antibiotic lasts for 3 days.
Herbal remedies have also proven their effectiveness in the treatment of cystitis, which can be used together with antibiotics to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and to prevent the development of another exacerbation for a longer period of time after an acute episode. For this purpose, long-term intake of various diuretic and antiseptic herbal preparations or decoctions of official herbal preparations is recommended. The treatment of cystitis with herbs is successfully combined with drug therapy. Studies have shown that the results of herbal treatment can be observed within a few weeks. The advantage of using herbal preparations is their naturalness. However, plants are not always harmless to our body, so it is very important to follow the dosages. The dosage of herbal preparations varies depending on the age of the patient. For example, the daily dose of medicinal tea for children under 1 year is half a teaspoon, for children under 3 years - 1 teaspoon, between 6-10 years - 1 tablespoon, for adults - 2 tablespoons. Here is an example of a recipe for a cystitis herbal collection that you can prepare at home.
Prevention of cystitis in women
Cystitis recurs in women in half of the cases. In order to prevent attacks and recurrence of the disease, it is enough to follow a few simple recommendations:
- Pay more attention to personal hygiene. Girls should be taught from an early age to keep their genitals especially clean, to wash and change their underwear every day.
- When choosing underwear, women should pay attention to its composition. You must not wear products made of synthetic fabric and of the wrong size.
- Drink plenty of plain, clean water. Maintaining the body's normal water balance strengthens the immune system, and frequent urination accelerates the removal of pathogenic microflora from the urogenital system.
- Avoid hypothermia, wear seasonal clothing, do not wear short skirts and thin stockings in the cold season.
- Do not tolerate the urge to urinate.
Many women do not consider cystitis as a serious disease and try to cope 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 pathology, you should consult a doctor and strictly follow all his recommendations. The treatment regimen is selected strictly individually depending on the nature and form of the course of the disease and the presence of concomitant pathologies.