One of the nasty diseases that have spread in the modern world is bladder inflammation, or cystitis. This disease can be independent and can be a complication of other pathologies. Cystitis is a disease of the urinary tract, which consists of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. It occurs in men, women and children. Females are more susceptible to this disease due to the peculiarities of their body's anatomy: 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 female disease. Here the question arises: do men have cystitis? Answer: Of course, it happens, just less often. In percentage terms, the incidence of cystitis in women is about 25%, and in men - 0. 5%.
The main cause of the development of an infectious inflammatory process of the bladder is Escherichia coli, but the chlamydia, ureaplasma and Candida fungi are also dangerous. The development of cystitis is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle that causes circulatory disorders of Organs pelvic organs and bladder, decreased immunity, metabolic disorders, menopause, consumption of spicy foods and diabetes mellitus. Cystitis occurs in two forms: acute and chronic. In 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 in the absence of the necessary treatment can turn into interstitial.
All forms are capable of making serious changes in the usual way of life, reducing efficiency and introducing psychological disorders; therefore, at the first symptoms, competent treatment should be started by a specialist. Cystitis is treated by urologists and gynecologists. These specialists determine how to treat bladder inflammation, prescribe treatment, which, as a rule, includes pills to boost immunity, relieve inflammation 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 will talk about cervical bladder inflammation. Cervical cystitis owes its name to the location of inflammation in the bladder neck region. Its treatment is a complex process that requires the patient to adhere to bed rest, a strict diet and the intake of plenty of water.
Speaking of female cystitis, it is important to mention that this disease tends to get worse 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. Also, 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 Candida genus are located in the vagina, capable of causing cystitis itself with reduced immunity.
Infantile cystitis is also more common in girls than boys. This is due to the proximity of the short and wide urinary system and the anus. Also, bladder inflammation in children can be caused by hypothermia, a weakened immune system, and a hereditary factor. Cystitis in babies is facilitated by the constant use of diapers, so common today, and the presence of stones in Organs urinary organs.
Bladder inflammation in men is typical for representatives of mature age. The male symptoms of this disease are identical to the female ones. Almost always, the cause of the development of cystitis in men lies in the penetration of the infection through the blood of neighboring inflamed organs.
In addition to the traditional perception of the causes of cystitis, psychosomatic provocations are also possible. The psychosomatics of cystitis has a place to be, as this disease manifests itself during a period of life changes. Bladder inflammation is often seen in people who tend to hold back their emotions or suppress them.
types of cystitis
As noted above, acute and chronic cystitis are distinguished. Acute bladder inflammation is understood as cystitis that first appeared in the patient, which did not turn into a chronic disease. If exacerbations of cystitis occur 2 or more times in 6 months or 3 or more times in a year, this 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, cystitis from an acute form becomes chronic. The development of acute cystitis is unexpected. The symptoms of acute cystitis are more pronounced than the chronic ones. Exacerbations of the disease occur mainly in the spring and autumn periods. In most cases, gram-negative enterobacteria and coagulase-negative types of staphylococci become a trigger for the development of infectious cystitis. Cystitis is diverse in its types. Doctors distinguish the following types: hemorrhagic, interstitial, radioactive, sexual, post-coital, 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 the excretion of urine with an unpleasant odor and bloody secretion;
- with interstitial cystitis, the inflammatory process develops due to a non-infectious nature. This species 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 radiotherapy is radiation cystitis. This happens due to damage to the bladder mucosa;
- due to changes in microflora based on sex, sexual cystitis develops. Its subspecies 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 bladder neck. This species may have urinary incontinence;
- in case of metabolic disorders, hypercalceuric cystitis may develop, in particular, when the kidneys begin to secrete calcium salt crystals;
- with bladder intoxication, chemical cystitis develops, but it is not very common;
- allergens that have entered the human body (in the form of food, drugs, cosmetics and household chemicals) can cause allergic cystitis;
- helminthic invasions are often capable of causing a parasitic form of cystitis
Regardless of the type of cystitis, treatment will include antibacterial medications, bed rest, dry heat, herbal decoctions, and sufficient fluid intake.
Symptoms of Cystitis
The symptoms of cystitis in women, men and children are basically the same. As a rule, cystitis causes frequent urination in small portions, bringing a sensation of pain and burning. The urine becomes cloudy and acquires a strong unpleasant odor. It is not uncommon for a small amount of blood to pass through the urine. With cystitis, weakness and pain in the lower back can be observed.
Symptoms of cystitis in children and the elderly are not as pronounced and may manifest in the form of temperature changes, gastralgia 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 urge to go to the bathroom may appear during the day and night every few minutes. Sometimes women lose control over this process and urination occurs spontaneously.
As the inflammatory process develops, the clinical picture is complemented by the following symptoms:
- intense itching and burning in the vulva;
- suprapubic pain radiating to the lower back;
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- color change, urine smell.
In severe cases, attacks of cystitis are accompanied by high fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine.
The female symptoms of cystitis are dysuria and nocturia. Characteristic for such states is the application of efforts to urinate (need to push), involuntary urinary incontinence, pain at the beginning and end of the urination process. In acute inflammation of the bladder, 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, cramping and pain in the pubic area and perineum, presence of mucus and blood in the urine.
Cystitis in children is not always determined immediately, because it is more difficult for a child to explain their condition and the nature of the pain, and newborns will not be able to explain anything. In children, there is usually a state of 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 there is 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 the penetration of bacteria into the bladder through the urethra, in particular Escherichia coli. Cystitis after sexual 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 pathology of Organs urinary organs, when the flow of urine is disturbed and it can fall back into the ureter. Older people often have difficulty getting around 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 a variety of reasons. The presence of a tumor can be one of the causes of cystitis, but this phenomenon is infrequent.
The causes of cystitis in women are associated with a violation of the microflora of the vagina. Most often, women manifest types of infectious and allergic inflammation. Unsuccessful gonorrhea can cause 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 stasis;
- weak immunity;
- pregnancy;
- surgical intervention on Organs genitals and their infection.
The causes of cystitis in men are the presence of diseases of the urinary system, against which inflammation of the bladder is a complication. In general, the causes are similar to those in women: urine stasis, hypothermia, E. coli and gonorrhea (and other STDs) also cause the condition. Cystitis in men may be associated with tuberculosis of the genitourinary system. In the presence of infectious and viral diseases, cystitis can develop due to the hematogenous route. The development of cystitis is promoted by diabetes mellitus, abdominal trauma, stress and surgical interventions in the genitourinary 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 triggering factors. If disease symptoms 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 bladder area, presence of pus in the urine, 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 located not only in the pubic bone region, but also in the perineum, genitals. 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 that affect 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, genitals, bladder neck sclerosis, prostate adenoma, urolithiasis. Given the multifactorial etiology of chronic cystitis, in women, treatment is selected only after determining the causes of the development of the disease.
The disease usually proceeds with relapses and exacerbations. In chronic inflammation, damage to the kidneys, neck, lateral, posterior and anterior walls of the bladder is not excluded.
diagnosis of cystitis
The basis of the diagnosis of cystitis is laboratory tests. 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 - in the presence of cystitis shows protein. The results of microscopic examination of the sediment with cystitis will give an increase in leukocytes and erythrocytes. Urine with cystitis is cloudy and may turn pink in case of bleeding;
- urinalysis according to Nechiporenko - they resort to it in cases of the presence of erythrocytes in the urinary sediment and a high number of leukocytes. For this analysis, it is necessary to pass the mid-stream of urine in the morning;
- Bacteriological diagnosis of urine allows to establish the culprit of cystitis. This is important for prescribing antibiotic therapy;
- special test strips for leukocytes allow you to calculate their high concentration in urine;
- nitrite test strips allow you to detect urinary tract infections.
During menstruation, women should not give urine for tests as the results may be false.
Rules for passing a urine test for cystitis
Before you start collecting morning urine, you should wash your genitals with warm water or a disinfectant solution. Before a urinalysis, you should not eat foods that can affect the color of urine, it is better not to drink jams, fruit drinks and kefir (affects the acidic flora). You also cannot take diuretics and laxatives.
treatment of cystitis
Can cystitis be cured permanently? This is probably the main issue that concerns people who have come across this disease personally. This is possible if the right treatment is started at the right time. How and how to treat cystitis, the urologist determines. As a rule, the doctor chooses complex therapy. In addition to drug treatment, adherence to diet, bed, and drink 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 implies the consumption of diuretic products and the rejection of alcohol, coffee, spicy, fried, smoked, salty, sour, canned and preservatives. Adherence to these regimens is a general rule of thumb in the treatment of cystitis in women, men and children. Let's take a closer look at aspects of cystitis treatment.
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 will help to deal with unpleasant symptoms. For the period of cystitis treatment, women will have to temporarily refuse sexual intercourse. The desired result of therapy is the normalization of the vaginal microflora. The womenmainly penicillin antibiotics are prescribed to neutralize microbes and preparations with beneficial bacteria to stabilize the microflora. Candles with belladonna will help to pacify the inflammation. Subject to physician requirements, 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 lead to complications in the form of kidney infection and premature birth. For the treatment of cystitis during pregnancy, doctors choose the safest drugs. Infectious cystitis is difficult because its treatment requires antibiotics that are not recommended for the fetus. For the treatment of cystitis in pregnant women, analgesics and anticholinergics, drugs to relax the bladder muscles, are used. Postpartum cystitis develops due to the pinched position of the bladder and impaired blood circulation during labor, catheterization and cooling, and also due to the weakening of the postpartum immune system. Cystitis, which arose during breastfeeding, is safer to treat with herbal preparations, but we must remember that, like any medication, only a doctor can prescribe it.
To eliminate pain, the frequent urge to urinate, doctors prescribe antispasmodic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The selection of drugs for cystitis in men depends on the current pathologies of the genitourinary system. Physiotherapy and sanatoriums will be good aids to improve the condition after exacerbation and during remission.
How antibiotics for cystitis are used:
- fluoroquinolones
- nitrofurans
The treatment of cystitis in children should be prescribed and monitored exclusively by a doctor. Self-administration of antibiotics in 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, uroseptic, analgesic and antibacterial drugs are usually prescribed. The main task of parents in the treatment of children is strict compliance with medical recommendations, in particular the dosage of drugs and duration of use. Chronic cystitis in children is mainly the result of phimosis, genital infections, urethritis, diverticulum and other diseases. This suggests that, based on comorbidity, the treatment of chronic cystitis will be aligned.
To prevent cystitis in children and adults, it is helpful to take preventive measures. Cystitis prevention includes adherence to hygiene rules (soap water procedures every day), wearing clean clothes, strengthening immunity, competent and healthy nutrition.
Medicines for cystitis
Preparations for cystitis in women, men and children include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and a general tonic. Medications of choice for cystitis with active ingredients: fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, furazidine. Alternative antibacterial therapy for cystitis with active ingredients: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, levofloxacin hemihydrate. The first three drugs have been used to treat cystitis for many years and have not lost their relevance. Let's consider in more detail the features of remedies for cystitis.
Broad spectrum antimicrobials. The course of therapy with these drugs ranges from a week to 10 days. They are recommended to be consumed after meals. These cystitis remedies are suitable for first aid for exacerbations. The disadvantages of drugs include a large number of side effects.
The ideal antibiotic for cystitis with fosfomycin, so to speak. It is available in the form of tablets and powder for dissolution in water. This modern tool has a minimal list of side effects, which is a definite plus when choosing a medication. The drug has a rapid absorption and action point targeted at the bacteria that cause the development of cystitis. Only one cystitis tablet allows you to get a successful therapeutic effect. This is hard to believe, but a single dose of an antibiotic has been proven to help eliminate all the unpleasant symptoms of cystitis. But these are not all the advantages: the substance fosfomycin is effective and safe for the treatment of 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 medicines have also been shown to be effective, which can be used in conjunction with antibiotics to increase the effectiveness of treatment and after a long-lasting acute episode to prevent the development of another exacerbation. For these purposes, a long-term intake of decoctions of various diuretic and antiseptic herbal preparations or official herbal medicines is indicated. The treatment of cystitis with herbs is successfully combined with drug therapy. Studies have shown that the result of herbal medicine is observed in a few weeks. The advantage of using herbal preparations is their naturalness. But plants are not always safe for our body, so it is very important to respect doses. 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 is half a teaspoon, for children under 3 years old - 1 teaspoon, from 6 to 10 years old - 1 tablespoon, for adults - 2 tbsp. Here is an example of an herbal collection recipe for cystitis that you can cook at home.
Prevention of cystitis in women
In half of the cases, cystitis in women relapses. To prevent attacks of the disease and its recurrence, it is enough to follow several simple recommendations:
- Pay more attention to personal hygiene. Girls from an early age should be taught to keep their genitals especially clean, wash themselves every day and change their underwear.
- When choosing underwear, women should pay attention to their composition. You may not use products made from synthetic fabrics and inappropriately sized.
- Drink plenty of clean, pure water. Maintaining a 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 seasonal clothing, don't wear short skirts and thin socks during the cold season.
- Do not tolerate the urge to urinate.
Many women do not consider cystitis to be a serious illness and try to deal with the pain on their own. The situation is especially dangerous when, on the advice of friends or acquaintances, they start taking antibiotics. 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 pathologies.