Cystitis (Cyctitis) is a common disease of the urinary system associated with an inflammatory process in the bladder mucosa. It is worth noting that every fourth woman faces the symptoms of cystitis at least once in her life, while every tenth suffers from the chronic form of this disease. It is also worth comparing the incidence in women and men: only 0. 5% of men suffer from cystitis, which is mainly due to the difference in the structure of the urinary tract and the difficulty of getting an infection into it.
Cause of disease
Cystitis in women usually occurs due to aggressive opportunistic pathogens entering the urethra, as well as increased sexual infections: chlamydia, ureaplasma (Ureaplasma), fungal infections of the genus Candida, etc. A short and wide urinary tract is often prone to the infection. The occurrence of cystitis in women can also occur due to the movement of pathogens through the bloodstream. The path of development of this disease is called hematogenous.
Another option for infection is the entry of bacteria into the bladder with pathology of the kidneys and ureters. Usually the development of such events can be observed with pyelonephritis.
It is worth noting a variant that is less common, but still applies to the development of the disease, which is provoked by anomalies in the development of the urinary system. Also, a decrease in bladder muscle contraction can cause cystitis.
Signs of infection can appear especially actively in the presence of predisposing factors. This includes:
- Sedentary work. Being in a sitting position for more than three hours in a row, urine stagnates, which leads to the possibility of a bladder infection. Therefore, if your work involves sitting for a long time in one place, you need to get up every hour, and do a little warm-up every three hours.
- constipation.
- The presence of sand and stones in the bladder.
- Tight underwear that can interfere with normal blood circulation in the pelvic organs.
- Frequent body hypothermia.
- Lower back injury, spinal cord injury.
- Early onset of sexual activity.
- Metabolic disorders, hormonal changes in the body (for example, menopause or pregnancy). During a hormonal surge, the body's immune system can malfunction. Please note: when carrying a child, expectant mothers face certain risks in the event of infection and the development of cystitis. Therefore, during pregnancy, you must carefully monitor your own health and consult a doctor at the first sign of the disease.
- Diabetes mellitus (Diabetes mellitus).
- Therapy with immunosuppressive drugs.
- Oncological diseases.
- Unbalanced and irregular diet: abuse of spicy and fried foods, alcohol.
- Improper hygiene procedures (in particular, improper washing from the anus to the vagina).
- The chance of bladder infection is high with insufficient personal hygiene (long-term use of the same pad or tampon during menstruation, untimely change of underwear, continuous daily use of pads).
- Stress, chronic lack of sleep, which has a serious effect on the state of immunity.
- A general decrease in immunity caused by the presence of a chronic focus of inflammation in the body (stomatitis (Stomatitis), caries (Caries), rhinitis (Rhinitis), tonsillitis (Tonsillitis). As a result, this can cause a violation of urethral sterility
Separately, it is worth highlighting forms of inflammation of the bladder such as interstitial cystitis, which is the result of serious disorders in the functioning of the immune system and is a severe chronic disease.
Symptoms and signs
The symptoms of cystitis are very characteristic and allow you to immediately make the correct diagnosis. First of all, this is frequent urination (the patient visits the toilet up to several times an hour) and the manifestation of pain at the end of the process of emptying the bladder. Also, the most noticeable symptoms include:
- bladder fullness even after urinating;
- mixture of blood or pus in the urine;
- urine with cystitis in women acquires a sharper smell;
- cloudy urine and the presence of debris in it;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- when the infection spreads, including to the upper part of the urinary system, pain in the kidneys and lower back is possible;
- quite rarely, but there is still difficulty in holding urine
If you find these symptoms in yourself, you should see a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment, because the advanced form of this disease is full of complications.
Symptoms of cystitis give women not only physical discomfort, but also psychological, leaving an impact on her personal and social life. Therefore, it is necessary to respond as soon as possible to the appearance of the first signs of the disease and start therapy.
If the inflammation caused by the infection passes the muscle layer of the bladder, the appearance of the interstitial form of cystitis, which has been mentioned above, is possible. In this case, urine is inserted into the wall of the organ, as well as its reflux into the ureter.
If left untreated and if the infection spreads vertically, kidney disease, pyelonephritis, can develop.
Types of cystitis
It is necessary to distinguish between types of diseases, different in the method of occurrence, course, morphological changes and nature of spread.
All types of cystitis are divided according to the nature of the course into acute and chronic. We will consider both options for the course of this disease.
Acute cystitis
Against the background of the manifestations of the symptoms described above, acute cystitis gives a low-grade fever, general malaise. The blood vessels of the bladder dilate, which leads to swelling of the walls of the organ. In this case, point bleeding and hyperemia (Hyperemia) are observed. In the acute phase of the disease, the mucous membrane and submucosa of the bladder usually suffer, and their epithelium is sometimes rejected, and a mixture of blood in the urine may appear. The color of urine in the hemorrhagic form of this disease can vary from light pink to cloudy brown.
Chronic cystitis
When the disease enters the chronic phase, the inflammation expands and moves from the mucosa and submucosa to the muscle layer of the bladder. In this case, the color of the mucosa acquires a whitish or gray color. If the disease is not treated for a long time, there is the appearance of a sclerotic process in the organ, which causes its volume to be reduced.
In the chronic form, all the previously mentioned signs can be "blurred" and vaguely expressed, which makes diagnosis difficult. If chronic cystitis is suspected, it is necessary to focus on anamnesis data, macro and microscopic urine, cystoscopy, and bacteriological examination. Especially important in the detection of chronic cystitis is a parallel gynecological examination, because it is often genital infections that cause the appearance of chronic cystitis.
Acute and chronic cystitis: which doctor should I contact?
Standard tests for the diagnosis of cystitis in older women, mature women and girls are general urinalysis, urine culture to detect pathological flora (bacteriuria), Nechiporenko analysis. As an additional measure, modern clinics often offer to undergo ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys, cystoscopy, and examination for STIs. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a urine sample for analysis not by standard methods, but by using a catheter. This may be necessary to prevent the discharge from entering the urine.
Treatment of acute cystitis is based on antibacterial drugs. Due to the fact that the drugs are excreted by the kidneys, it is very easy to achieve the desired concentration of antibiotics in the bladder, so the effect of the treatment appears as soon as possible. In doing so, two important factors must be taken into account:
The doctor should prescribe antibiotics after receiving the results of the urine culture, which will determine the sensitivity of the pathogen to the selected drug.
Even after easing the situation, the prescribed course of antibiotics should be taken to the end, which will prevent relapse and the transition of the disease to a chronic form.
As a side measure for the treatment of cystitis, use:
- drugs to relieve bladder spasms, general anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapy;
- ozone therapy;
- acupuncture.
For the treatment of chronic forms of cystitis, local administration of drugs that inhibit the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms can also be used. As an aid, tea tree essential oil gel can be used. The gel is recommended to eliminate vaginal discomfort, normalize the microflora and restore the vaginal mucosa after infectious and inflammatory diseases and in the period after antibiotic treatment.
Acute cystitis
Keep in mind that the treatment of acute cystitis is always bed rest. To treat the inflammatory process in the bladder "on the run" without issuing sick leave, especially in winter, means the risk of possible transition of the disease into a chronic form. This disease is always accompanied by severe stress for the body, which requires rest and rest. At the same time, ignoring the disease and delaying a visit to the doctor can "cause" pyelonephritis, the treatment of which requires constant medical supervision.
Diet
To relieve inflammation as quickly as possible, it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids: the minimum amount of fluid you drink should be 1. 5 liters per day.
Nutrition for cystitis has some restrictions. Exclusion of spicy and spicy will contribute to recovery and prevent recurrence of the condition. For the treatment period, it is necessary to completely exclude alcohol. This applies to all alcoholic beverages.
If you find yourself experiencing pain and frequent urination, blood stains, flakes or pus in your urine, do not rush to panic. In fact, according to statistics, female cystitis is a very common occurrence.
The main thing is not to delay and consult a doctor on time.
As a rule, this disease is determined when there is frequent painful discharge of urine in small portions, with blood impurities. Such a process is often accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Cystitis is dangerous with the possibility of development into a chronic form or the development of inflammation in the kidneys. Most often, cystitis is infectious in nature.
Cystitis is widespread among women and men, but still the fair sex is more likely to suffer from this disease due to the anatomical features of the female body. The female urethra is shorter and wider than the male urethra, making it easier for pathogens to enter the bladder. This explains the frequent cases of cystitis in women. Women of childbearing age are most susceptible to cystitis. There are many cases of recurrent cystitis, which significantly worsens a woman's health, affecting her life.
The prevalence of cystitis
The so-called acute cystitis is one of the most common urological diseases. It is not uncommon to find uncomplicated cystitis, where microbes only affect the mucous membrane and do not affect the submucosal layer.
Based on scientific research, it can be said that in our country from 26 to 36 million people suffer from acute cystitis every year.
Girls suffer from cystitis almost three times more often than boys. The disease is sometimes diagnosed in newborns and children under the age of 1 year, and it is more common in children aged one to three years, and especially in 13-15 years. As a rule, cystitis often occurs in patients aged 4 to 12 years.
Chronic cystitis is one of the most widespread urological diseases. Based on this study, chronic cystitis can be observed in 11-21% of the population. A significant spread of data is due to different approaches regarding the definition of chronic cystitis. Some study authors wrote that the diagnosis of "chronic cystitis" should be considered when exacerbation occurs 2 times a year or more.
cystitis in summer
There are very few women who do not feel the symptoms of cystitis in themselves, when the pleasure of beautiful summer days is overshadowed by such an unpleasant disease. In addition, in the summer, especially when a woman travels far from home and finds herself in an unusual environment, there are many reasons for the appearance of cystitis.
Often, cystitis in the summer occurs due to factors such as:
- living in a new place during the holiday period, which causes problems with personal hygiene;
- body hypothermia, which occurs as a result of prolonged bathing in cold water;
- violation of the usual urinary regimen, which is associated with moving, flying or being in a new place;
- drastic climate change, which adversely affects human immunity.
An additional factor in the threat of developing cystitis in some cases is an increase in the activity of sexual activity, against the background of the above conditions, which is not favorable for the female body.
If your weekend or vacation is spoiled by the occurrence of such an unpleasant disease, it is necessary to make an appointment with a urologist as soon as possible. To clarify the diagnosis, you need to undergo an ultrasound of the bladder, pass a urine test. Today's antibacterial drugs effectively act directly on the causative agent of cystitis and can speed up the healing process, as well as prevent the development of acute cystitis into a chronic form.
Modern medicines, in contrast to medicines of the past generation, which affect the whole body of the patient, affect only the inflamed area of the bladder, affecting other human organs minimally. The main concentration of the drug is maximally revealed exclusively in the urine and bladder mucosa, which is inflamed. This allows you to make the toxic effect on other organs minimal and focus the entire burden on the treatment of cystitis.
Among the drugs used to treat this disease, it is necessary to note the drug with fosfomycin. He, given the high selectivity of his action with minimal toxicological burden on the body, has another useful quality - this drug then does not cause phototoxicity. This is the name of a side effect that can be caused by many drugs used to treat cystitis. Manifestations of phototoxicity are increased sensitivity to sunlight, the occurrence of redness or burns under the influence of ultraviolet rays even if the intensity is low. Phototoxicity appears due to the presence in the preparation of substances that have photosensitizer or photoreagent properties. These substances cause the appearance of a large number of free radicals in the skin, which cause the destruction of skin cells, inflammation and even burning.
Unlike other drugs for the treatment of cystitis, fosfomycin is not capable of causing phototoxicity, which means that it can be used without interfering with the planned beach holiday regimen. The advantage can also be called the maximum absence of side effects, and this makes it possible to treat cystitis safely and very effectively in children and pregnant women.
cystitis during pregnancy
The fair sex is very often interested in the question of how this disease affects pregnancy. In all patients, inflammation of the bladder causes discomfort, and for a woman in this position, who has a weak immune system, this disease may be a serious test. Pregnant women who are faced with the manifestation of bladder inflammation symptoms, have to go through many problems. Cystitis during pregnancy is undoubtedly dangerous, but with timely access to a doctor, unwanted consequences can be prevented. Self-medication or ignoring the disease can cause very serious complications, such as kidney infection. Bacteria can seriously damage it. The mucous membrane of the bladder, which is inflamed, can also have a negative effect on the fetus. There is a chance of giving birth prematurely, with underweight.
Childhood cystitis
It is generally accepted that only adults are affected by cystitis, but this is not so. In addition, there is no age restriction for this type of disease. Adults, children, and the elderly can also get sick. Both men and women and very young patients suffer from cystitis, but the treatment of cystitis in children has its own characteristics.
Often, cystitis in children occurs as a result of hypothermia. Bacteria are the main causative agents, and fungal and viral infections are very rare.
Causes of cystitis
In 70-95% of patients with acute cystitis, it is caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), 5-20% observed staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus saprophyticus), in the remaining patients, Proteus mirabilis acts as the causative agent of the disease. ) and Klebsiella (Klebsiella spp).
As a rule, cystitis is caused by opportunistic flora organisms. Studies have confirmed that the causative agent of cystitis may not necessarily be bacteria, it is very possible to get sick with cystitis, the cause will be mycoplasma virus, chlamydia, Trichomonas and other fungi.
The high prevalence of cystitis in women is not only due to the small length of the urethra, but also to the wide lumen and physiological location compared to other organs. The urethra in women, unlike the urethra in men, is closer to the anus. Due to the anatomical features of the woman's body, the body is less protected from pathogenic microbes entering the urethra, then microbes can easily migrate to the bladder, which can cause cystitis.
In men, cystitis is less common. The most common cause of the manifestation of this disease in men is inflammation of the urethra, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate gland. It happens that the penetration of the infection into the area of the urethra occurs due to catheterization. The risk of cystitis doubles after bladder catheterization is performed in men with BPH, where frequent urinary retention is one of the symptoms. The possibility of developing cystitis also increases after the introduction of a catheter to a pregnant woman or a woman who has just given birth, this is based on a decrease in the tone of the urinary tract.
Symptoms of cystitis
In adults, cystitis usually causes frequent and painful urination. The nature of the pain is described as a burning sensation. Urine changes, it can smell strong, become cloudy and have blood impurities. At this time, the health condition may worsen and constant pain in the lumbar region can be felt. In the elderly and children, the symptoms of cystitis are usually not so obvious. They may be characterized by symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Diagnosis of cystitis
When diagnosing the disease, the urologist examines the results of urinalysis, as well as the results of ultrasound of the bladder. To determine the etiology of cystitis, they use a bacterial urine culture, and also take a smear from the urethra. In most cases, opportunistic flora bacteria, namely staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli, etc. , can be the cause of cystitis. Most often, cystitis occurs due to infection with sexually transmitted pathogens - ureaplasma and mycoplasma. Treatment of cystitis involves the effect of drugs on infectious agents that can trigger the development of the disease.
Treatment of cystitis
A quick cure for cystitis and even a complete recovery of the mucous membrane is possible if you do not delay the start of treatment, but immediately use drugs with sufficient effectiveness. The chance to completely get rid of cystitis will increase with the correct diagnosis in time and the use of drugs that affect the center of infection. Starting treatment at a late stage or prescribing treatment that only eliminates cystitis symptoms without affecting the pathogenic zone can turn acute cystitis into chronic.
The main task faced by doctors who treat cystitis is the destruction of pathogenic microbes that have penetrated the bladder area and caused inflammation of the mucosa. The determination of the drug for the antibiotic therapy process of the disease occurs according to the following parameters: the duration of the disease, the severity of the symptoms. In addition, during the selection of drugs, possible side effects, the method and speed of their excretion, drug absorption, the presence of additional diseases, and more are taken into account.
Until now, there are relatively affordable drugs for the treatment of cystitis, which selectively affect the causative agent of the disease, qualified doctors will advise only such treatment. When swallowed, the drug is concentrated in the bladder, which makes it possible to increase its effectiveness. In addition, the use of modern antibiotics reduces the duration of cystitis treatment, protects against side effects as much as possible and reduces the risk to the patient's entire body.
Helpful Tips to Prevent Cystitis
- try to avoid hypothermia;
- even in certain circumstances, carefully observe the rules of hygiene;
- when performing hygiene procedures, use neutral and gentle products;
- during menstruation, change sanitary pads on time;
- visit the toilet on time, do not delay if necessary;
- drink more fluids;
- it is advisable to leave tight clothing, tk. it can, squeeze, worsen blood circulation in the pelvic area;
- try to normalize bowel activity. If there is a tendency to constipation, it is advisable to increase the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables.
In this case, symptoms and treatment of cystitis will not be a problem for you.