Visits to the toilet became more frequent, but less and less productive: only a little urine could be squeezed out, sometimes mixed with blood.There is pain during and after urination.Sometimes there is a nagging pain above the pubis.All these are symptoms of cystitis, a disease that most often attacks women.And although cystitis does not pose a threat to life, it is very capable of ruining a few days.
The purpose of this article is to tell you how you can treat cystitis at home and how to overcome this disease as soon as possible.
What is cystitis?
Cysitis is an infectious disease.But the pathogen lives in our own body.In 85-95% of cases, the cause of urinary tract infection is E. coli, a common inhabitant of the intestine.Another typical pathogen is Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a representative of the skin microflora.And they enter the bladder through the ascending route: from the skin or from the rectum through the urethra.
How to prevent cystitis?
It is the anatomical features (larger bladder volume and shorter urethra) that determine the prevalence of cystitis in women.
It's clear why women have cystitis more often - it's all about anatomy.The urethra in women is much shorter than in men, and the bladder is larger, which means it can be emptied more often.But the flow of urine is quite effective in washing away the microorganisms that have penetrated the urinary tract.So the first rule for women: if you don't want to get cystitis, go to the toilet every 3-4 hours.
Another common cause of cystitis is microtrauma of the female urethra during sexual intercourse.The so-called cystitis defloration often spoils the honeymoon.Advice to loving men: do not forget about intimate hygiene.Tip for smart women: Emptying your bladder before and after sex can reduce your risk of infection.
When should you see a doctor?
No woman is immune from isolated cases of cystitis.However, if dysuria recurs, it is advisable to undergo a thorough examination.
Pregnancy is a very dangerous time.Immune system function and hormone levels change, the growing uterus displaces the bladder, interferes with the outflow of urine, and as a result, infections.Meanwhile, bacteriuria increases the risk of premature birth by 2 times - so cystitis during this period is completely harmless.
If the symptoms of the disease occur in a man, you should immediately see a specialist and without fail;Cystitis in men is almost always secondary.And the cause may be prostate disease, or diabetes, or urolithiasis.In addition, symptoms similar to cystitis may occur with non-gonococcal urethritis (probable causative agents are chlamydia, mycoplasma, trichomonas) and bladder tuberculosis.
The doctor will perform urine and blood tests, microflora cultures, may refer you for an ultrasound of the bladder, possibly a cystoscopy, and take a smear from the urethra.If the examination proves that the cystitis is not complicated, then most likely you will be trusted to overcome the symptoms on your own.
What to do if you have cystitis?
- It is highly recommended to stay in bed during an exacerbation, under a warm blanket, with a heating pad in the lower abdomen (if blood is not excreted in the urine, then we cancel the heating pad).
- Drink as much as possible.Tea - only with milk, coffee and beer are excluded.Cranberry, lingonberry and blueberry fruit drinks are very welcome (the proantyanides contained in them prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall), a decoction of oats, bearberry, birch buds is good, and if blood appears, nettle.Herbal medicine is most effective in the form of preparations;pharmacies will always offer ready-made ones.
- The diet involves avoiding spices, canned foods, and marinades, but dairy products, fruits (especially watermelon) and vegetables will be beneficial.
- If you have cystitis, you should not go to the bathhouse or sauna, but washing with warm water and special intimate hygiene products will help reduce the discomfort after urinating.
- You can put suppositories with papaverine - this often relieves pain.
But in any case, antibacterial drugs are needed to treat the infection.
If cystitis recurs, or the patient is old, or has diabetes mellitus, then the uroseptic course should be longer - at least a week.
Attention!Pregnant women are given antibiotics only by a doctor after examination - this is safer for women and children.
What should you be aware of?
If left untreated, an infection from the bladder through the ureters can spread to the kidneys, resulting in pyelonephritis.
If frequent and painful urination is accompanied by back pain and fever, then there is a possibility that the infection has spread to the kidneys, and here you cannot do without a doctor.
Which doctor should I contact?
At the first episode of cystitis, you can consult a therapist.If the disease takes a repeated or chronic course, you should consult a urologist and make sure you undergo a cystoscopy.