Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are very common and often recur. Cystitis is a common bacterial disease that usually affects women (they are about 8 times more likely to get it than men).
What is bacterial cystitis
Cystitis of a bacterial nature is characterized by an inflammatory process of the walls of the bladder. It responds well to treatment and usually does not require hospitalization.
Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the genitourinary system, most complaints about this problem come from women, but sometimes men also suffer from it.
Reasons for development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for a reason - as a result of the penetration of pathogens into the bladder.
The following factors can cause the disease:
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- the presence of chronic infections;
- delayed installation of a urinary catheter;
- use of spermicidal contraceptives;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- atrophic vaginitis in history.
In men, the most common factor in the development of the disease are STIs. The appearance of cystitis can be influenced by prolonged exposure to cold, frequent stressful situations and taking certain medications, but all these factors are considered concomitant. By affecting the overall immunity of the body, they increase the likelihood of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder through the ascending, lymphogenous and hematogenous routes. A necessary condition for the development of the disease is the invasion of bacteria into the walls of the bladder.
Symptoms
Bacterial cystitis in patients of both sexes begins with an acute phase.
It can be recognized by several specific characteristics:
- the appearance of frequent urges to go to the toilet;
- pain, burning and discomfort during urination;
- excretion of a small amount of blood in the urine;
- false urge to go to the toilet, decrease in the amount of urine excreted.
In addition to specific symptoms, the patient may exhibit the following signs of cystitis:
- pain during and after intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- increased body temperature;
- pulling pains in the lower back.
A progressive disease leads to cloudy urine and the appearance of a specific smell. Urinary incontinence can also occur when sneezing or coughing. The chronic form of cystitis is characterized by the same symptoms as the acute form, but they become less pronounced and intense.
Features compared to other forms
Cystitis is a disease that has a huge number of forms and manifestations. The most common bacterial, fungal and viral cystitis of an infectious nature. In some cases, the disease is caused by a "descended" kidney infection.
In addition to those listed, there is a huge group of non-infectious cystitis. They can develop as a result of nonbiological mucosal damage.
There are types of cystitis:
- Traumatic or foreign body cystitis. It develops with prolonged use of a urinary catheter, which leads to tissue damage.
- Interstitial or autoimmune.A chronic form of the disease, which is difficult to diagnose and treat, since the exact causes of development have not yet been established by specialists. Most often, this form of cystitis can be recognized by severe pain when filling the bladder, as well as a very frequent urge to urinate - in some cases, their number can reach up to 100 times a day.
- Ray.Occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Irradiation negatively affects the mucous membrane of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urges to urinate, blood in the urine.
- Allergic.It occurs as a reaction to allergens that have entered the body.
- Chemical-toxic. This form of the disease can occur when using spermicidal gels, hygienic sprays or chlorine entering the urethra when visiting the pool.
Diagnostic
Even in the presence of specific symptoms, cystitis can only be diagnosed using a urine test in the laboratory. The analysis allows you to identify the presence of protein, an excessive percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (the presence of red blood cells). Additionally, a bacterial culture is performed, thanks to which the doctor can identify the causative agent of the disease and select the most effective drugs.
In men, the prostate is also examined and tests are done to rule out a number of genital infections that may be hidden and asymptomatic. Women should be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to assess the microflora.
Methods of treating bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires drug treatment with antibacterial drugs. The doctor selects the appropriate means after studying the results of laboratory tests. The disease in the chronic stage requires treatment for 7-10 days. In many cases, an integrated approach to the treatment of cystitis is effective.
Etiological treatment
Since the cause of the inflammatory process in the bladder is usually an infection, most often patients are prescribed antibacterial drugs. The most common causative agent of cystitis is Escherichia coli, this uropathogenic microorganism is detected in 75-90% of cases.
In 5-10% of patients, the disease is caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus, other enterobacteriaceae are less common.
Pathogenic treatment
Antibacterial therapy in women can get rid of bacteria in the bladder, but does not affect bacteria in the intestines. They fall to the surface of the perineum, into the urethra, then into the bladder. The membrane of the bladder, designed to protect it from the penetration of bacteria, is ruptured during cystitis, which leads to a high probability of recurrence of the disease.
In world practice, the treatment of the chronic form of cystitis by introducing sodium hyaluron into the bladder is widespread. There are oral agents, but most often the most effective is their combination.
These drugs allow:
- protect the walls of the bladder from the penetration of bacteria;
- restore the damaged protective layer of the mucous membrane;
- protect the urothelium from the influence of toxic components contained in urine;
- significantly reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process occurring in the bladder.
This technique is effective in case of relapses, resistance to antibacterial drugs and lack of results from other types of therapy. Another of its advantages is to reduce the likelihood of relapses and the ability to get rid of cystitis for a long time, even in advanced cases.
Symptomatic treatment that reduces the manifestations of the disease
Bacterial cystitis in women causes discomfort and pain, which can be quite severe. Symptomatic treatment helps to cope with this, the main goal of which is to improve the general condition of the patient.
In most cases, doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, recommend giving up tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. To relieve the pain, you can take warm baths and use a heating pad. During the treatment of cystitis, it is important to drink enough water.
Remedies for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment for cystitis in women involves oral medications. Coping with the disease in a short time allows for an integrated approach that takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Antibiotics
The basis of the treatment of cystitis is the use of drugs capable of selectively inhibiting or destroying pathogens. For the treatment of inflammatory processes that occur in the urogenital system of the body, uroseptics are used, which are excreted by the kidneys and thus provide an effective concentration of the drug in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotic | The description |
|---|---|
| Phosphonic acid derivative | Water-soluble powder with citrus aroma. This drug is considered one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. It acts for about 2 hours, it is completely excreted from the body after 2 days. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic of the II generation macrolide group | White tablets. It is prescribed to patients who have suffered cystitis as a result of a sexual infection. |
| Generation II fluoroquinolone group antibiotic | Orange tablets. 1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the drug is completely excreted from the body within 1 day. |
| 1st generation quinolone group antibiotic | Affects a wide range of viruses. Available in the form of capsules, the active substance is nalidixic acid. |
| 1st generation quinolone group antibiotic | Available in the form of capsules, the active substance is pipemidic acid. Begins to act within the first 1. 5 hours after ingestion. Up to 85% of the active substance is excreted in 1 day. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the III generation cephalosporin group | Orange tablets with berry flavor. The action of the drug is to suppress the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Painkillers
For cystitis, doctors usually prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.
Patients who experience a relapse of the disease often have to take medications like the main ones. The same approach is used in cases where the use of antibiotics for one reason or another is not possible. As a complex therapy, a specialist can prescribe antispasmodic drugs that block painful spasms of the bladder wall.
In the acute phase of the disease, the bladder may shrink, preventing normal emptying. Muscle relaxation solves this problem and has an analgesic effect, improves blood circulation and restores the normal functioning of the organ.
It is important to consider that antispasmodics affect the systemic blood flow and the functioning of internal organs, therefore they are not used for problems with hematopoiesis, renal and hepatic insufficiency, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and someother health problems. Therefore, their consumption and dosage should be agreed with the doctor.
Diuretics
Diuretics are prescribed to restore normal urination, which is an important factor in the treatment of cystitis. The most sparing are herbal diuretics or herbal remedies, which are intended for adjuvant therapy.
Among them are:
- Preparation in the form of a paste, composed of essential herbs and extracts. A small amount of this remedy is diluted with water and taken orally.
- Tablets or herbal solution containing cornflower, lovage root and rosemary leaves. It has both a diuretic and antimicrobial effect on the body.
- Herb collections. The composition of these herbal remedies includes herbs that stimulate urine production and have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and relaxing effects. As part of the fees, you can find oak bark, St. John's wort, chamomile and flax. These remedies are effective in various forms of cystitis and are used even in advanced cases.
Way of consuming
Drinking a sufficient amount of fluid can reduce the concentration of urine and irritation of the inflamed walls of the bladder, as well as increase the urge to urinate and accelerate the elimination of pathogenic bacteria. Doctors recommend drinking at least 2-3 liters of water daily, depending on the patient's body weight. With cystitis, bed rest is necessary, which allows you to speed up the process of treatment and recovery.
Prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis lends itself well to prevention, with which you can both avoid this disease and protect yourself from possible relapses after treatment.
Most experts recommend taking preventive measures:
- Hygiene. It is necessary to wash at least 1 time per day, while the direction should be back and forth. Thus, it is possible to avoid the entry of pathogens from the anus into the area of the vagina and urethra (this is the mechanism that most often leads to the development of cystitis in women).
- Drink enough fluid.
- Use of barrier contraceptives.
- Protection against hypothermia and long stay in wet swimsuits.
- Refusal of synthetic underwear in favor of underwear made of natural fabrics.
It is also recommended that women urinate after each intercourse to get rid of bacteria that may have entered the urethra. It is also important to empty the bladder regularly, as stagnant urine is a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogens.
If the symptoms reappear within 14 days after the end of treatment, it is necessary to urinate for bacterial culture. Failure of treatment may be due to the low sensitivity of the microorganism to the chosen drug.
Possible complications and chronicity of the disease
Untreated cystitis can develop into a chronic form, from which it becomes much more difficult to get rid of and the therapy of which is more expensive. You can avoid this consequence if you turn to a specialist in time when the first signs of the disease appear. A fairly common complication is vesicoureteral reflux. This happens when urine enters the ureter from the bladder, that is, in the opposite direction.
This process, if not properly taken into account, can lead to inflammation of the uterus, peritonitis or inflammation of the peritoneum. The inflammatory process in the walls of the bladder sometimes causes abscesses and scarring, leading to a reduction in the amount of urine it can hold. In this case, the patient is faced with frequent and painful urination.
In men, prolonged cystitis can lead to urine leakage into the prostate, an inflammatory process in the prostate, and epididymitis. Women can have reproductive problems. Cystitis, which is bacterial in nature, in an acute form can lead to miscarriage in pregnant women. Therefore, the treatment, which in most cases takes about a week, cannot be delayed.