Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are very common and often recur. Cystitis is a common bacterial disease that usually affects women (about 8 times more likely than men).
What is bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis is characterized by the inflammatory process of the bladder wall. It responds well to treatment and usually does not require hospitalization.
Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the urinary system, most complaints about this problem come from women, but sometimes men also experience it.
Reasons for development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for one reason - as a result of pathogens entering the bladder.
The following factors can provoke the disease:
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- the presence of chronic infections;
- delayed 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 cause of the disease. The appearance of cystitis can be influenced by prolonged cold, frequent stressful situations and taking certain medications, but all these factors go together. By affecting the general immunity of the body, they increase the probability of the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder by ascending, lymphogenous and hematogenous routes. A necessary condition for the development of the disease is the penetration of bacteria into the wall of the bladder.
Symptoms
Bacterial cystitis begins with an acute phase in both sexes.
It can be recognized by several specific properties:
- the appearance of a frequent desire to go to the toilet;
- pain, burning and discomfort during urination;
- passing a small amount of blood in the urine;
- a false urge to go to the toilet, a decrease in the amount of urine excreted.
In addition to the specific symptoms, the patient may experience the following symptoms of cystitis:
- pain during and after intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- rise in body temperature;
- pulling pains in lower back.
The progressive disease leads to cloudy urine and the appearance of a specific smell. Urinary incontinence can also occur when sneezing or coughing. The chronic form of cystitis is characterized by the same symptoms as the acute, but they are less pronounced and intense.
Distinctive features compared to other forms
Cystitis is a disease that has many forms and manifestations. The most common infectious types are bacterial, fungal and viral cystitis. In some cases, the disease is triggered by a "caught" kidney infection.
In addition to those listed, there is also an extensive group of non-infectious cystitis. They can develop as a result of mucosal damage of non-biological origin.
Cystitis has the following types:
- Traumatic foreign body or cystitis. It develops during prolonged use of the urinary catheter, which leads to tissue damage.
- Interstitial or autoimmune.It is 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 experts. Most often, this form of cystitis can be recognized by the strong pain that occurs when the bladder is filled, as well as by the very frequent urge to urinate - in some cases, their number can reach up to 100 per day.
- Beam. It occurs in cancer patients who have undergone radiation therapy. Irradiation adversely affects the mucous membrane of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urge to urinate, and blood in the urine.
- Allergic.It appears as a reaction to allergens that have entered the body.
- Chemically toxic. This form of the disease can occur when using spermicidal gels, hygienic sprays or chlorine entering the urethra during a visit to the pool.
Diagnostics
Even in the presence of specific symptoms, cystitis can only be diagnosed using a laboratory urine test. The analysis makes it possible to identify the presence of protein, an excessive percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (the presence of red blood cells). In addition, 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 gland is additionally examined and tests are performed to rule out many hidden and asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections. Women should be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to assess the microflora.
Methods of treatment of bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires medical treatment with antibacterial drugs. After studying the results of the laboratory tests, the doctor selects the appropriate devices. The disease in the chronic stage requires therapy lasting 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 of the bladder is usually an infection, patients are most often 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 occur less frequently.
Pathogenetic treatment
Antibacterial therapy for women can get rid of bacteria in the bladder, but has no effect on bacteria in the intestines. They fall again on the surface of the perineum, into the urethra and then into the bladder. The membrane of the bladder, which is intended to protect it from the penetration of bacteria, breaks during cystitis, which is most likely to cause a recurrence of the disease.
The treatment of the chronic form of cystitis by injecting sodium hyaluronan into the bladder is widespread in world practice. There are oral agents, but more often a combination of them is most effective.
Such drugs allow:
- protects the wall of the bladder from the penetration of bacteria;
- restores the damaged protective layer of the mucous membrane;
- protects the urothelium from the effects of toxic components in urine;
- significantly reduces the intensity of the inflammatory process occurring in the bladder.
This technique is effective in cases of relapses, resistance to antibacterial drugs and failure of other types of therapy. Another advantage is that it reduces the likelihood of relapses and the ability to get rid of cystitis in the long term, even in advanced cases.
Symptomatic treatment that reduces the manifestations of the disease
Bacterial cystitis in women causes discomfort and pain that can be quite severe. Symptomatic treatment allows you to cope with this, 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. You can take a warm bath and use a heating pad to ease the pain. When treating cystitis, it is important to drink enough water.
Medicines for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment of cystitis in women includes oral medication. Coping with the disease in a short time allows an integrated approach that takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Antibiotics
The basis of the treatment of cystitis is the use of drugs that selectively inhibit or destroy pathogens. For the treatment of inflammatory processes occurring in the urogenital system of the body, uroseptics are used, which are excreted through the kidneys and thus ensure the effective concentration of the drug in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotic | Description |
|---|---|
| Phosphonic acid derivative | Water-soluble powder with a citrus aroma. This drug is one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. It works for about 2 hours and is completely eliminated from the body after 2 days. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the group of macrolides II | White tablets. It is prescribed for patients who have suffered from cystitis as a result of sexual infection. |
| Antibiotic from the group of fluoroquinolones II. generation | Orange pill. 1 tablet is sufficient for 12 hours, the drug is completely eliminated from the body within 1 day. |
| Antibiotic from the group of 1st generation quinolones | It affects a wide range of viruses. It is available in the form of hard capsules, the active ingredient is nalidixic acid. |
| Antibiotic from the group of 1st generation quinolones | Available in capsule form, the active ingredient is pipemidic acid. It starts working in the first 1. 5 hours after taking it. A maximum of 85% of the active substance is excreted within 1 day. |
| A semi-synthetic antibiotic from the group of III generation cephalosporins | Orange tablets with a berry scent. The effect of the drug is aimed at suppressing the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Pain relievers
For cystitis, doctors usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.
Patients whose disease relapses often need to take such drugs mainly. The same approach is used in cases where the use of antibiotics is not possible for one reason or another. As a complex therapy, the specialist can prescribe antispasmodics that block the painful spasms of the bladder wall.
In the acute phase of the disease, the bladder may contract, 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 anticonvulsants affect systemic blood flow and the functioning of internal organs, so they are not used in hematopoietic problems, kidney and liver failure, acute gastrointestinal diseases and some other health problems. Therefore, their intake and dosage should be discussed with the doctor.
Diuretics
Diuretics are prescribed to restore normal urination, which is an important factor in the treatment of cystitis. The most gentle are herbal diuretics or herbal remedies that are used as adjuvant therapy.
These include:
- A preparation in the form of a paste consisting of herbs and essential extracts. A small amount of this medicine is diluted with water and taken orally.
- Herbal tablets or solutions containing centaury herb, maidenhair roots and rosemary leaves. It has both a diuretic and antimicrobial effect on the body.
- Medicinal plant collections. The composition of such herbal preparations includes herbs that stimulate urine production and have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and relaxing effects. Oak bark, St. John's wort, chamomile and flax are part of the awards. Such remedies are effective in various forms of cystitis and are used even in advanced cases.
Drinking method
Drinking the right amount of fluid can reduce the concentration of urine and the irritation of the inflamed bladder walls, as well as increase the urge to urinate and speed up the removal of pathogenic bacteria. Doctors recommend drinking at least 2-3 liters of water per day, depending on the patient's body weight. In the case of cystitis, bed rest is necessary, which allows you to speed up the treatment and healing process.
Prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis is excellent for prevention, with which you can avoid this disease and protect yourself from possible relapses after treatment.
Most experts recommend preventive measures:
- Hygiene. It must be washed at least once a day, while the direction is from front to back. This prevents pathogens from entering the vagina and urethra from the anus (this is the mechanism that most often leads to the development of cystitis in women).
- Drinking enough fluids.
- Use of friendly contraceptives.
- Protection against hypothermia and long stays in wet swimwear.
- Refusal of synthetic underwear in favor of underwear made of natural materials.
We also recommend that women urinate after each intercourse to get rid of any bacteria that may have entered the urethra. It is equally important to empty the bladder regularly, since stagnant urine is a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogens.
If symptoms return within 14 days after the end of therapy, a urine sample is required for bacterial culture. The reason for the failure of the treatment may be the low sensitivity of the microorganism to the selected 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 whose therapy is also more expensive. You can avoid this consequence if you consult a specialist in time when the first signs of the disease appear. A fairly common complication is vesicoureteral reflux. It occurs when urine enters the ureter from the bladder, i. e. in the opposite direction.
This process, if not paid enough attention, can lead to endometritis, peritonitis or peritonitis. The inflammatory process in the wall of the bladder sometimes causes abscesses and scars, as a result of which the capacity to absorb urine decreases. In this case, the patient faces frequent and painful urination.
In men, protracted cystitis can lead to leakage of urine into the prostate gland, inflammation of the prostate, and epididymitis. Women may face reproductive problems. Acute bacterial cystitis can lead to miscarriage in pregnant women. Therefore, the treatment, which in most cases lasts about a week, cannot be postponed.