One of the unpleasant diseases that have spread in the modern world is inflammation of the bladder, 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 an inflammation of the lining of the bladder. It occurs in men, women and children. The female sex is more susceptible to this disease due to the peculiarities of the anatomy of her body: the female urethra is short and wide, which is very convenient for the infection to enter the body. Many people consider cystitis a female disease. Here the question arises: do men have cystitis? Answer: Sure it happens, but less often. In percentage terms, the incidence of cystitis in women is about 25%, and in men - 0. 5%.
Escherichia coli is the main cause of the development of an infectious inflammatory process in the bladder, but chlamydia, ureaplasma and Candida fungi are also dangerous. The development of cystitis is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, which causes circulatory disorders of the pelvic organs and bladder, decreased immunity, metabolic disorders, menopause, consumption of spicy foods and diabetes mellitus. Cystitis comes in two forms: acute and chronic. In acute cystitis, the patient has frequent and painful urination with possible bleeding. 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 bringing serious changes to the habitual way of life, reducing efficiency and introducing psychological inconvenience. Therefore, at the first symptoms, competent treatment should be initiated by a specialist. Cystitis is treated by urologists and gynecologists. These specialists determine how to treat inflammation of the bladder, prescribe treatment, which, as a rule, includes pills to increase immunity, relieve inflammation, and antibiotics. Cystitis is a multi-species 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, we speak of cervical inflammation of the bladder. Cervical cystitis owes its name to the localization of inflammation in the region of the neck of the bladder. Its treatment is a complex process that requires the patient to adhere to bed rest, a strict diet and drink plenty of water.
Speaking of female cystitis, it is important to mention that this disease tends to worsen before menstruation. Cystitis during menstruation is a fairly common phenomenon. During this period, due to the anatomical and biological features 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 genus Candida are located in the vagina, capable of themselves causing cystitis with a decrease in immunity.
Infantile cystitis is also more common in girls than in boys. This is due to the proximity of the short and wide urinary system and the anus. In addition, inflammation of the bladder in children can be caused by hypothermia, a weakened immune system and a hereditary factor. Cystitis in babies is facilitated by the constant wearing of diapers, so common today, and the presence of stones in the urinary organs.
Inflammation of the bladder in men is typical for middle-aged representatives. The male symptoms of this disease are identical to those of females. Almost always, the cause of the development of cystitis in men lies in the penetration of blood infection from nearby inflamed organs.
In addition to the traditional perception of the causes of cystitis, psychosomatic provocations are also possible. The psychosomatics of cystitis has its place, because this disease manifests itself during a period of life changes. Inflammation of the bladder 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 inflammation of the bladder 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, then such 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 comprehensive treatment, cystitis from an acute form becomes chronic. The development of acute cystitis is unexpected. Symptoms of acute cystitis are more pronounced than chronic ones. Exacerbations of the disease occur mainly in spring and autumn. In most cases, gram-negative enterobacteriaceae and coagulase-negative types of staphylococci become a provocateur for the development of infectious cystitis. Cystitis is diverse in its types. Doctors distinguish the following types: hemorrhagic, interstitial, radiation, 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 excretion of urine with an unpleasant odor and bloody discharge;
- 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 lining of the bladder;
- due to gender changes in the microflora, sexual cystitis develops. Its subspecies is venerological 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 neck of the bladder. This species may exhibit urinary incontinence;
- in case of metabolic disorders, hypercalceuric cystitis may develop, especially when the kidneys begin to secrete crystals of calcium salt;
- with intoxication of the bladder, 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 drugs, bed rest, dry heat, herbal decoctions and sufficient fluid intake are possible.
Symptoms of cystitis
Symptoms of cystitis in women, men and children are basically the same. As a rule, cystitis causes frequent urination in small portions, resulting in a feeling of pain and burning. Urine becomes cloudy and acquires a strong unpleasant odor. It is not uncommon for a small amount of blood to pass in the urine. With cystitis, weakness and pain in the lumbar region can be observed.
Symptoms of cystitis in children and the elderly are not so pronounced and can manifest themselves in the form of temperature changes, gastralgia and nausea. In old age, cystitis can be asymptomatic. Another symptom of cystitis is urinary incontinence.
The first manifestation of the disease is the frequent urge to urinate. The desire to go to the toilet can appear during the day and at night every few minutes. Sometimes women lose control of this process and urination occurs spontaneously.
As the inflammatory process develops, the clinical picture is supplemented by the following symptoms:
- severe itching and burning in the vulva;
- suprapubic pain that radiates down the back;
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- color change, smell of urine.
In severe cases, attacks of cystitis are accompanied by high fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine.
Female symptoms of cystitis are dysuria and nocturia. Characteristic of these states is the application of efforts to urinate (the 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, cramps and pain in the pubis and perineum, presence of mucus and blood in the urine.
Cystitis in children is not always immediately determined, since it is more difficult for a child to explain his condition and the nature of the pain, and newborns will not be able to explain anything at all. In children, as a rule, there is a state of weakness, discomfort in the lower abdomen, pain and burning, as in adults. The color of urine becomes dark yellow. The child becomes lethargic, and the temperature can reach 38 ° C. Cystitis in boys is less common than in girls.
Causes of cystitis
The most common cause of cystitis is the entry of bacteria into the bladder through the urethra, especially Escherichia coli. Cystitis after intercourse develops due to prolonged rubbing 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 the pathology of the urinary organs, when the flow of urine is disturbed and it can fall back into the ureter. Older people often have difficulty moving around and lead sedentary lives. 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 various reasons. The presence of a tumor can be one of the causes of cystitis, but this phenomenon is uncommon.
The causes of cystitis in women are associated with a violation of the microflora of the vagina. Most often, women manifest infectious and allergic types of inflammation. Gonorrhea with no less success can cause cystitis. Hypothermia is considered a big 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;
- low immunity;
- pregnancy;
- surgical intervention in the 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 of women: urine stasis, hypothermia, E. coli and gonorrhea (and other STDs) also cause the disease. Cystitis in men can 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 provoking factors. If the symptoms of the disease persist for more than 14 days, chronic inflammation occurs.
In acute cystitis, the inflammatory process does not go beyond the mucous membrane, submucous layer. The clinical picture is represented by frequent urination, pain in the bladder area, the presence of pus in the urine, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, a false urge to urinate.
Severe forms of acute inflammation are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, severe intoxication. Painful sensations are localized not only in the region of the pubic bone, but also give to the perineum, genitals. In the urine there are a lot of 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, sclerosis of the neck of the bladder, 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 often continues with relapses and exacerbations. In chronic inflammation, damage to the kidneys, neck, side, posterior and anterior walls of the bladder are not excluded.
Diagnosis of cystitis
The basis of the diagnosis of cystitis are laboratory tests. To confirm or identify cystitis, the patient may be referred for the following tests:
- complete blood count - allows to identify the inflammatory process by increasing ESR and leukocytes;
- urine analysis - 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 becomes cloudy and may become pinkish when bleeding;
- urinalysis according to Nechiporenko - they turn to him in case of the presence of erythrocytes in the urine sediment and a high number of leukocytes. For this analysis, it is necessary to pass the average stream of urine in the morning;
- bacteriological diagnosis of urine allows you 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 can detect a urinary tract infection.
During menstruation, women should not give urine for testing, as the results may be false.
Rules for passing a urine test for cystitis
Before you start collecting morning urine, you need to rinse the genitals with warm water or a disinfectant solution. Before a urine test, one should not eat foods that can affect the color of urine, it is better not to drink compotes, fruit drinks and kefir (affects acid flora). You may also not take diuretics and laxatives.
Treatment of cystitis
Can cystitis be cured permanently? This is probably the main question that worries people who have personally encountered this disease. 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, compliance with food, bed and drink regimes plays an important role. Note that the amount of water consumed daily should be at least 2-2. 5 liters, and the diet involves the consumption of diuretic products and the rejection of alcohol, coffee, spices, chips, smoked, salty, acidic foods, preserves and preservatives. . Compliance with these treatment regimens is a general rule in the treatment of cystitis in women, men and children. Let us consider in more detail the aspects of the treatment of cystitis.
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 cope with unpleasant symptoms. During the period of treatment of cystitis, women will have to temporarily refuse sex. The desired result of the treatment is the normalization of the vaginal microflora. Women are mainly seenprescribe penicillin antibiotics to neutralize microbes and preparations containing beneficial bacteria to stabilize microflora. Belladonna candles will help soothe inflammation. Subject to the requirements of the doctor, the course of 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 which, if not properly treated during pregnancy, can cause complications in the form of kidney infection and premature delivery. For the treatment of cystitis during pregnancy, doctors choose the safest drugs. Infectious cystitis causes difficulties, since its treatment requires antibiotics that are not recommended for the fetus. For the treatment of cystitis in pregnant women, analgesics and anticholinergics are used, drugs to relax the muscles of the bladder. Cystitis after childbirth develops due to the tight position of the bladder and impaired blood circulation during labor, catheterization and cooling, as well as due to postpartum weakening of the immune system. Cystitis, which arose during breastfeeding, is safer to treat with herbal preparations, but it must be remembered that, like any medicine, only a doctor can prescribe it.
To eliminate pain, frequent urge to urinate, doctors prescribe antispasmodics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The selection of drugs for cystitis in men depends on the current pathologies of the genitourinary system. Physiotherapy and sanatoria will be good helpers in improving the condition after an exacerbation and during remission.
As antibiotics for cystitis are used:
- fluoroquinolones
- nitrofurans
Treatment of cystitis in children should be prescribed and monitored exclusively by a doctor. Self-administering antibiotics to 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 adherence to medical recommendations, in particular, the dosage of drugs and the duration of their use. Chronic cystitis in children is mainly the result of phimosis, genital infections, urethritis, diverticulum and other diseases. This suggests that depending on the comorbidity, the treatment of chronic cystitis will be aligned.
To prevent cystitis in children and adults, it is useful to take preventive measures. Prevention of cystitis includes compliance with the rules of hygiene (water procedures with soap every day), wearing clean linen, strengthening immunity, competent and healthy diet.
Medicines for cystitis
Preparations for cystitis in women, men and children include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and general tonics. Drugs 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 for many years to treat cystitis and still have not lost their relevance. Let us consider in more detail the features of the remedies for cystitis.
Broad spectrum antimicrobials. The course of therapy with these drugs varies from a week to 10 days. It is recommended to consume them after meals. These remedies for cystitis are well suited for first aid in case of exacerbations. The disadvantages of drugs include a large number of side effects.
The ideal antibiotic for cystitis along with fosfomycin, so to speak. It is available in the form of tablets and powder to dissolve in water. This modern tool has a minimal list of side effects, which is a definite plus when choosing a drug. The drug has a fast point of absorption and action directed at bacteria that cause the development of cystitis. Only one tablet from cystitis allows you to achieve a successful therapeutic effect. It's hard to believe, but a single dose of antibiotics 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 remedies have also shown their effectiveness, which can be used together with antibiotics to increase the effectiveness of treatment, and after an acute episode for a long time to prevent the development of anotherexacerbation. For these purposes, a long-term intake of decoctions of various herbal diuretic and antiseptic preparations or official herbal medicines is indicated. Treatment of cystitis with herbs is successfully combined with drug therapy. Studies have shown that the result of herbal medicine is observed within a few weeks. The advantage of using herbal preparations is their naturalness. But plants are not always safe for our organism, so it is very important to respect the doses. The dosage of the use of herbal preparations differs depending on the age of the patient. So, for example, the daily dose of herbal tea for children under 1 year old is half a teaspoon, for children under 3 years old - 1 teaspoon, from 6 to 10 years old - 1 spoon. tablespoons, for adults - 2 tbsp. Here is an example of a herbal picking recipe for cystitis, which you can cook yourself at home.
Prevention of cystitis in women
In half of the cases, cystitis in women relapses. To prevent attacks of the disease and their recurrence, it is enough to follow a number of simple recommendations:
- Pay more attention to your personal hygiene. From an early age, girls should be taught to keep the genitals especially clean, to wash daily and to change their underwear.
- When choosing underwear, women should pay attention to their composition. You cannot wear products made of synthetic fabrics and of the wrong size.
- Drink plenty of clear, clean water. Maintaining a normal water balance in the body strengthens the immune system, and frequent urination accelerates the elimination of pathogenic microflora from the genitourinary system.
- Avoid hypothermia, wear clothes according to the season, do not wear short skirts and thin tights in the cold season.
- Does not tolerate the urge to urinate.
Many women do not consider cystitis a serious illness and try to cope with the pain on their own. The situation is especially dangerous when, on the advice of friends or acquaintances, they begin to take antibiotics. At the first symptoms of pathology, it is necessary to consult a doctor and strictly follow all his recommendations. The treatment regimen is selected strictly individually depending on the nature of the course of the disease, its form and the presence of concomitant pathologies.