Sharp, painful sensations in the lower abdomen, urge to urinate - cystitis gives unpleasant symptoms, the first signs of the disease in women are just like that.This is an inflammatory process that occurs on the inner walls of the bladder.The causes and conditions for the development of the disease in women coincide much more often than in men.
What is cystitis
The bladder is a muscular organ located in the pelvic cavity, in its upper part, which collects urine before releasing it through the urethra.This is how the end section of the urinary system is arranged in the male and female body.The bladder cavity gradually fills with two ureters, which are conduits for filtered fluid from the kidneys.When the organ is filled to more than half its volume, the person feels the need to urinate.It's an unconditioned reflex.
The internal environment of the urinary system is sterile, just like the urine excreted in a healthy person.The ingestion of infectious agents capable of multiplying under these conditions, as well as chemical irritants and allergens leads to the development of cystitis, the first symptoms of which will immediately indicate disruptions in the described chain.
Inflammatory, allergic and chemical irritations of the bladder can be caused by a variety of reasons.How irritants get inside also varies.
For women, the so-called ascending route is more typical, that is, the pathogen enters the cavity by rising from the external urethra.
The same type of cystitis can be found in a small child, especially an infant, for whom there is no appropriate home care, or if there is a pathology of the postpartum period, organic disorders.
Causes of appearance in women
It is necessary to clearly understand the difference between the causes and conditions that triggered the signs of cystitis in women.The causes are infectious agents and non-infectious factors.The first group includes:
- opportunistic microorganisms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- agents responsible for sexually transmitted diseases.
Opportunistic microbes are so called because they exhibit their virulent properties when exposed to appropriate conditions.As a rule, the causative agents of diseases of this type are representatives of the normal biocenosis of the vagina or intestinal microflora.They are constantly present on the skin of the genitals and act as a protective barrier.As soon as a girl becomes hypothermic and takes treatment with antibiotics, which suppress not only pathogenic, but also normal flora, the number of representatives of microbiocenosis increases rapidly.When they reach a critical mass, they cease to perform a barrier function, changing the pH value of the mucous membranes, and themselves become the cause of the development of inflammation.
In addition, as they multiply, microbes spread to areas that are unusual for them, for example the urethra and bladder.Pathogenic pathogens become a source of inflammatory reactions during the stay of patients in a hospital of any profile, but most often one can become infected in maternity hospitals and obstetrics and gynecology departments.It is in them that the micro-organisms responsible for nosocomial infections circulate.
These pathogens differ from ordinary pathogens in that in the process of repeated passages through weakened organisms, they acquire new characteristics, for example:
- salmonella, which is spread by airborne droplets;
- resistance to a large number of antibiotics;
- immunity to broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs;
- the possibility of using substances unusual for this species as a nutritional substrate.
The clinical course of cystitis caused by pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms that have acquired new properties during development is characterized by painful manifestations.It is more difficult to combat such cystitis, since the range of antibacterial drugs is limited.
Sexually transmitted diseases cannot arise independently of the urinary organs due to the peculiarities of their anatomical structure.The most common of these are gonorrhea, Trichomonas urethritis and cystitis.Through the urethra, which is wider and shorter in women than in men, bacteria enter the bladder cavity and begin to multiply there.
Causes of non-infectious origin are divided into chemical and allergic factors.Chemical irritants can enter the blood, filtered by the kidneys.These can be medicinal substances, harmful agents of an industrial nature, food components.
Allergic agents demonstrate a profound suppression of the immune system, which reacts with hypersensitivity to common substances.
Additional conditions contributing to the development of inflammation are factors such as: hypothermia, wearing synthetic underwear, non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, acute and chronic gynecological diseases, childbirth, consumption of irritating foods, pregnancy.
First signs
The first signs of cystitis in women already require treatment by a specialist and special attention from the patient to her body.You can suspect the development of bladder inflammation by detecting a primary syndrome:
- constant itching in the external genital area;
- the appearance of discharge from the urethra;
- aching, throbbing pain after urination;
- pain along the urethra;
- increased urge to go to the toilet;
- color changes, clarity of urine, appearance of visible sediment.
If you do not pay attention to it and do not treat the disease, the first symptoms gradually worsen and the acute disease becomes chronic.
Progressive pathology
The medical history of a patient with chronic cystitis can become quite voluminous if treatment is ignored or additional rules are not followed.Acute symptoms quickly lose their manifest character and subside, no longer causing significant discomfort.
But there are a number of signs that inflammation is progressing:
- the addition of a secondary infection in the kidneys;
- attacks of exacerbation of infection are accompanied by fever;
- general condition deteriorates;
- the amount of urine excreted is small;
- urine has a strong odor, is cloudy, and may be mixed with pus or blood.
Chronic cystitis does not occur in isolation;it is complicated by inflammatory processes in the kidneys and gynecological pathologies.
The body's resistance gradually decreases, infections of other organs cause exacerbations of cystitis and disappear with an increase in body temperature, symptoms of general intoxication, severe weakness and malaise.
The urge to urinate is frequent, but the amount of fluid released is small.This is because it overly irritates the bladder receptors due to altered pH balance and pathological impurities.
Urinary excretion is painful, spasmodic pains do not allow rest even at night.
The suprapubic region is tense, palpation of the abdominal muscles of the lower abdomen is difficult.
Urine gives off an unpleasant and unusually pungent odor.As you observe it, you will notice sediment falling to the bottom.
Classic signs of acute and chronic cystitis
An acute process occurs for the first time after contact with an infectious agent, chemical irritant or allergen.The symptoms appear clearly and obviously: sharp pain when urinating, uncomfortable emptying of the bladder, pain in the lower abdomen, itching and burning at the exit from the urethra.There may be a short-term increase in temperature, nausea or weakness, loss of appetite and there may be an association with worsening symptoms after ingestion of irritating foods or drinks.
Chronic pathology is characterized by the disappearance of symptoms, the presence of constant discomfort in the suprapubic region and throbbing pains.In the remission phase, the patient feels quite healthy.Exacerbation occurs after hypothermia, consumption of irritating foods or drinks, or repeated contact with an allergen.
Types of cystitis in women
Bladder inflammation is classified according to various criteria.
The main types of cystitis are:
- by the nature of the process: acute or chronic;
- due to the appearance: bacterial, chemical or allergic;
- by associated factors: postpartum, secondary, postoperative.
Postoperative cystitis occurs after an abortion, cesarean delivery, and urine is released through a catheter.It is this medical instrument that can become a source of infection.
Characteristics of postpartum cystitis
The postpartum period requires close attention and monitoring of the postpartum woman, especially at home.Compliance with the rules of careful hygiene care and a regime of frequent urination will help avoid possible complications of the period after childbirth and the addition of urinary tract infections.
Postpartum cystitis occurs in the same way as any other, but its treatment is difficult because not all medications can be taken by a breastfeeding woman.In addition, this period is characterized by the presence of damage to the external genital organs, which makes it difficult to urinate and use the usual toilet.
Severe forms of the disease rarely develop, since the treatment of cystitis does not pose significant difficulties.But most often we are faced with a chronic form that is difficult to correct with medications if the causative agent is a multi-resistant microorganism.
Diagnosis
Usually this does not cause difficulties after a thorough history, urine tests and examination of the patient.The results of the analysis reveal deviations from the norm: reduced density, pH alteration, the presence of pathological impurities of blood, leukocytes, sediment, urate and oxalate crystals.
If necessary, an ultrasound scan and an X-ray contrast image are prescribed to clarify the etiology of the disease.
Treatment
It is imperative to treat acute or chronic cystitis comprehensively.The simultaneous use of different therapeutic methods contributes to the speedy recovery of the patient.
The main therapeutic agents are:
- antimicrobial tablets;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- analgesics and antispasmodics;
- physiotherapy (in remission);
- diet;
- traditional methods.
Medicines for the treatment of cystitis are prescribed by a specialist.Anti-inflammatories are preferably prescribed in the group of non-steroidal drugs;they have antispasmodic and analgesic activity.
The diet involves excluding from the diet sour, pickled and spicy foods that have an irritating effect.In this case, it is necessary to drink at least two liters of fluid per day to cleanse the bladder.
Folk recipes
Alternative medicine has gained extensive experience in the treatment of urological infections.The recipes have many positive reviews, which confirms the effectiveness of the methods.But they can only be used in combination with drug treatment.
Good results are achieved by ingesting decoctions of parsley root, chamomile and tincture of lingonberry leaves.Drinking lingonberry juice has an excellent disinfectant effect.The healing qualities of “bear ears” and cranberries have long been known.You can prepare the following composition and take it three times a day after meals:
- take dry herbs of rosemary, lovage, knapweed and rosehip in equal proportions;
- pour boiling water for 30 minutes;
- boil in a water bath for 20 minutes;
- leave on for 30 minutes;
- strain and drink as above.
It is contraindicated to drink alcohol, strong drinks or smoke during treatment.
Prevention
Measures to prevent cystitis are simple but effective.It is necessary to scrupulously follow the rules of care, sexual culture, frequently change hygiene products and underwear, avoid hypothermia and consumption of irritating food and drinks.