Cystitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases in the field of urology. This is the number 1 urological disease that almost every woman faces at least once in her life. It is an inflammatory pathology of the bladder, which occurs due to the entry of pathogenic microflora into the bladder. As a result, bacteria multiply in the bladder, which leads to some characteristic symptoms. In rare cases, the disease appears due to allergic or toxic effects.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should always see a doctor.
Most often, cystitis occurs in women, which is associated with the structural features of the urinary system. According to statistics, more than 30 million cases of this disease are detected in our country every year. Moreover, more than half of annual visits to urologists are associated with inflammation of the bladder in acute or chronic form.
Cystitis treatment aims to eliminate existing symptoms and normalize the overall function of the genitourinary system. In the article we will talk about the main causes of pathology, signs of its development, features of therapy and prevention.
Types of cystitis
Depending on the characteristics of development and course, several types of the disease are distinguished. According to the pathogenesis (that is, the mechanism of development), the following types of cystitis are distinguished:
- Primer (uncomplicated). It occurs as a separate independent pathology, as a rule, occurs in relatively healthy patients who do not have urinary outflow disorders.
- Secondary (complicated). It can be the result of a violation of the outflow of urine in some concomitant diseases: for example, urolithiasis or the formation of tumors in the pelvic organs.
Depending on the etiology (cause of development), the following types of cystitis can be distinguished:
- Contagious. It is the result of bacterial action on organ tissue.
- Toxic. It occurs as a result of the adverse effects of toxins, drugs, as well as as a result of radiation or chemotherapy.
- allergies. Be the result of exposure to various allergens.
A separate classification of the disease is carried out taking into account morphological changes:
- catarrhal cystitis. It is characterized by damage to the upper layer of the bladder mucosa. With that, swelling and hyperemia occur (state of increased blood filling of organs).
- Bleeding. It leads to inflammation of the ducts, which causes the penetration of blood into the urine.
- Ulcerative fibers. It is characterized by the spread of the inflammatory process to the muscle tissue of the organ.
- Gangrenous. Associated with the development of necrotic changes in the bladder wall.
- Interstitial. The inflammatory process extends to the organ mucosa, submucosa and muscle layer.
A separate form of cystitis is often called the postcoital variety ("honeymoon cystitis"). This variant of the disease occurs after the decline of the flower. This is caused by the penetration of vaginal mucus into the urethra.
Also, according to the stage of the course, acute and chronic (recurrent) cystitis are distinguished. The acute form is characterized by an uncomplicated course and has clear symptoms. If the disease has become chronic, then the characteristic symptoms of the patient appear only during the period of exacerbation.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should always see a doctor.
Disease symptoms
Symptoms of cystitis can be very diverse and often depend on the pathological form. If we talk about the picture of general symptoms, then the following are the most common:
- The frequency of the urge to urinate (usually the amount of urination during the day is about 6-10 times).
- Discomfort in the bladder area, feeling full.
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Burning and cutting during urination.
- Changing the color of urine, the presence of impurities (blood or mucus).
There are also general symptoms of intoxication. A woman may experience chills, weakness, fatigue, fever, heavy sweating. In severe cases, due to damage to the muscle layer of the bladder, urinary incontinence occurs.
Cystitis can be a manifestation of any urological disease, so the clinical picture largely depends on the nature of the underlying pathology. In addition, the symptoms of the disease may include signs of inflammatory diseases of the organs of the reproductive system. Unfortunately, in women, this combination is very common.
Causes of cystitis
Pathology is one of polyetiology (that is, multiple causes), so several factors contribute to its development. The main cause of the incident is the entry into the bladder of various microorganisms. In almost 90% of cases, this is E. coli, which lives in the rectum and is located near the urinary organ. Also, the inflammatory process is caused by bacteria and other microorganisms: Candida fungi, chlamydia, herpes virus, etc.
Pathological organisms can enter the urinary system in various ways. There are the following ways of penetration:
- Ascending. It happens most often, pathogenic microflora enters the bladder through the urethra.
- decreased. In this case, microorganisms penetrate from the kidneys (for example, in the presence of pyelonephritis).
- Lymphogenic. Related to the flow of lymph, where organisms enter the bladder from other organs of the small pelvis, with the presence of inflammation in it.
- Hematogenous. Infection occurs from a distant focus of inflammation due to blood flow.
There are several reasons why cystitis occurs more often in women than in men. This includes the following:
- A special structure of the reproductive system, which contributes to the spread of bacteria and infections in the urinary system.
- The urethra is short, which is located near the anus (the place where various bacteria accumulate).
- Frequent hormonal changes, which can weaken the body's immunity.
Risk factors
There are factors that increase the risk of developing bladder inflammation. This includes:
- Hypothermia of the pelvic organs.
- Decreased immunity.
- Constant overwork, frequent stress.
- Violation of intimate hygiene rules.
- Tendency to constipation.
- Abuse of spicy and spicy food.
- Stagnation in the pelvic organs.
- Chronic pathology of the genitourinary system.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Congenital pathology of urinary organs.
Another factor for the development of such an infection is pregnancy. According to statistics, every 10th pregnant girl experiences symptoms of bladder inflammation. This condition leads to a decrease in general immunity, changes in hormone levels, an increase in the size of the uterus and a deterioration in the blood supply to the bladder.
Also, this disease is often diagnosed in menopausal patients. Over the age of 50-55, estrogen levels decrease, which often leads to a weakening of the bladder lining.
In most patients, acute or chronic cystitis manifests itself during menstruation. This is due to bacteria entering the urinary tract with menstrual blood. The following factors can trigger such conditions during menstruation:
- Thrush or other infectious pathology.
- Inflammatory process in the pelvic organs.
- Decreased general immunity.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Allergic reaction to pads or tampons.
- Failure to comply with hygiene rules.
Treatment features
The diagnosis of "cystitis" is made based on the patient's complaints and examination by a urologist or gynecologist, and some instrumental tests and examinations are also mandatory.
The doctor prescribes to the woman:
- general urine analysis;
- clinical blood tests;
- urine culture, bacteriological examination (if complicated cystitis is suspected).
With the repeated course of the disease, smears and vaginal discharge, analysis for antibodies against the herpes virus, scrapings from the urethra and cervical canal can be prescribed. This procedure helps identify factors that trigger relapse.
Instrumental techniques are also important in pathological diagnosis. Among them:
- Ultrasound of pelvic organs and bladder.
- MRI of the genitourinary system.
- Cystoscopy with biopsy (with a complicated or repeated course).
Such diagnostic procedures allow you to determine the presence of pathology and the cause of its occurrence. Based on the data obtained, the specialist can formulate a treatment regimen for cystitis. Therapy is based on an integrated approach, which aims to achieve the following goals:
- Conduct antibacterial and symptomatic therapy, elimination of existing symptoms.
- Prevention of possible complications.
- Prevention of recurrence of pathology.
Antibacterial therapy and symptoms include taking various medications. These can be painkillers, antibacterials, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, etc. The purpose of their administration is to relieve symptoms and eliminate the existing inflammatory process. In addition, the doctor may prescribe an immunomodulator or a multivitamin complex. If cystitis recurs, bacteriophage-based preparations are often used.
In addition, it is possible to prescribe various physiotherapeutic methods. Among them:
- Electrophoresis. Helps relieve inflammation and reduce spasms.
- Magnetotherapy. Eliminates bacteria and viruses in inflamed organs.
- Inductotherapy. Contributes to the normalization of blood flow, normalizes the urinary system.
Also, patients are recommended to follow some rules:
- Exclude spicy, spicy and salty foods, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and sweets from the diet.
- Refrain from sexual intercourse during the treatment period.
- Drink plenty of water (sour fruit drinks and urological fees are also recommended).
- Refrain from physical activity (including swimming in pools and ponds).
Important!Traditional medical methods do not have proven effectiveness, therefore, they can only be used in combination with drugs. You can not use folk remedies yourself - be sure to consult your doctor!
Treatment takes place on an outpatient basis, with some exceptions. Sometimes hospitalization of the patient is required, signs for this may be:
- A severe course of illness.
- The presence of serious concomitant diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus).
- The occurrence of complications.
- Decompensated heart failure.
- Ineffectiveness of continued antibiotic therapy.
Symptoms and treatment of acute cystitis
The acute form develops rapidly against the background of the patient's relative health. The main symptom is frequent urination. Also for acute cystitis in women, symptoms such as severe pain, burning during urination, symptoms of intoxication and fever are characteristic.
There was a rapid improvement in symptoms and an increase in the amount of urine on the first day. The interval between urination can be reduced to 5-15 minutes. At the same time, the urge occurs during the day and night.
This condition may be accompanied by the appearance of blood in the urine and purulent discharge. The acute form of pathology lasts on average up to 7-10 days, without the lack of proper treatment, the disease becomes chronic with an exacerbation phase.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic cystitis
This stage develops as a result of incorrect and / or untimely treatment of the inflammatory process. Often, pathology is the result of self-medication and uncontrolled drugs.
In addition, the chronic form may be caused by other diseases of the genitourinary system. Cystitis is often diagnosed in patients with pyelonephritis, vulvovaginitis, and various infections of the reproductive and urinary systems.
The danger of chronic cystitis is that it occurs without obvious symptoms. A woman may experience exacerbation followed by remission, during which there is no problem with urination. However, during an exacerbation, symptoms similar to the acute form appear. There is frequent urination with pain and pain, often blood or purulent discharge appears in the urine.
In the treatment of chronic cystitis, it is important to eliminate the factors that always cause relapse. For example, during menopause and in the presence of hormonal disorders, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct congenital defects in the urinary system.
Possible Complications
The key to successful treatment of cystitis is a timely visit to the doctor. As a rule, in such cases, therapy takes no more than 10-12 days. However, if there is no medical treatment and non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations, the patient may experience a chronic form of the disease. In this case, complications are not excluded, including:
- pyelonephritis;
- paracystitis;
- abscess;
- urinary incontinence;
- violation of the reproductive function of the body.
Preventive therapy is recommended for patients with frequently recurring cystitis (more than 3 exacerbations per year) to avoid possible complications. It involves taking antibiotics in small doses, but such treatment is carried out only as directed by the doctor.
Disease prevention
In most cases, simple preventive measures help prevent the development of cystitis. Including, it is necessary:
- Proper hygiene of the external genitalia.
- Pay attention to hygiene during sexual activity.
- Drink enough clean water every day.
- Eliminate any provoking factors (stress, hypothermia, large amounts of spicy and spicy food).
- Get timely medical attention and do not treat pelvic organ disease yourself.
It is also important to remember that during cystitis it is forbidden to visit the bath / sauna or somehow heat the body (including using a heating pad in the lower abdomen). With the presence of the bacterial form of the disease, the reproduction of pathogenic microflora can be provoked. And this increases the risk of developing an abscess. If the disease is of a different nature, then tissue heating will accelerate blood microcirculation. This can cause blood to enter the urine and increase pain.
In the prevention of cystitis, regular emptying of the bladder and bowels is important. Also, a woman is recommended to lead an active lifestyle, including physical activity in the daily routine. This will remove congestion in the pelvic organs and normalize the process of urination.
Cystitis is a very unpleasant disease, because it has a fast course and can affect the quality of life. However, the correct and rational treatment approach allows you to quickly eliminate all the symptoms of the disease and avoid various complications. The most important thing in this case is not to self-medicate and not to delay contacting a doctor.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should always see a doctor.