Cystitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases in the field of urology. It is the number 1 urological disease that almost all women face at least once in their life. It is an inflammatory pathology of the bladder, which occurs due to the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the bladder. As a result, bacteria multiply inside the bladder, resulting in a number of 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 correct diagnosis and treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Most often, cystitis occurs in women, which is associated with structural features of the urinary system. According to statistics, more than 30 million cases of the disease are detected annually in our country. In addition, more than half of the annual visits to the urologist are associated with inflammation of the bladder in acute or chronic form.
Treatment of cystitis is aimed at eliminating the existing symptoms and normalizing the functioning of the entire 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
According to the features of development and course, several types of the disease are distinguished. According to the pathogenesis (that is, the mechanism of development), cystitis of the following type is distinguished:
- Primary (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). This can be the result of a violation of the outflow of urine in a number of concomitant diseases: for example, urolithiasis or tumor formations in the pelvic organs.
Depending on the etiology (causes of development), the following types of cystitis can be distinguished:
- Infectious. It becomes the result of bacterial action on the tissues of the organ.
- Toxic. It occurs as a result of the adverse effects of toxins, drugs, as well as radiation therapy or chemotherapy.
- Allergic. Becomes a consequence 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 layers of the bladder mucosa. With this, swelling and hyperemia occur (a state of increased blood filling of the organ).
- Hemorrhagic. It leads to inflammation of the vessels, which causes the penetration of blood into the urine.
- Ulcerative fibrosis. It is characterized by the spread of the inflammatory process to the muscle tissues of the organ.
- Gangrenous. Associated with the development of necrotic changes in the walls of the bladder.
- Interstitial. The inflammatory process extends to the mucous membrane of the organ, submucosa and muscle layer.
A separate form of cystitis is often called the postcoital variety ("honeymoon cystitis"). This variant of the disease occurs after defloration. This is due to the penetration of vaginal mucus into the urethra.
In addition, according to the stages of evolution, acute and chronic (recurrent) cystitis are distinguished. The acute form is characterized by a simple course and has vivid symptoms. If the disease has become chronic, the patient's characteristic symptoms appear only during periods of exacerbation.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For correct diagnosis and treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Disease symptoms
Signs of cystitis can be very diverse and often depend on the form of the pathology. If we talk about the general symptomatic picture, then the following is the most common:
- Frequent urination (normally the number of urinations during the day is about 6-10 times).
- Discomfort in the region of the bladder, feeling of fullness.
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Burning and cutting during urination.
- Change in the color of urine, presence of impurities (blood or mucus).
There are also general symptoms of intoxication. A woman may experience chills, weakness, fatigue, fever, intense sweating. In severe cases, due to damage to the muscle layer of the bladder, urinary incontinence occurs.
Cystitis can become a manifestation of any urological disease, so the clinical picture largely depends on the nature of the underlying pathology. Also, the symptoms of the disease may include signs of inflammatory diseases of the organs of the reproductive system. Unfortunately, among women, this combination is extremely common.
Causes of cystitis
Pathology is one of the polyetiological (i. e. multicausal), therefore several factors contribute to its development. The main cause of the event is the entry into the bladder of various microorganisms. In nearly 90% of cases, it is E. coli, which lives in the rectum and is located near the urinary organs. In addition, the inflammatory process is caused by other bacteria and microorganisms: Candida fungi, chlamydia, herpes viruses, etc.
Pathological organisms can enter the urinary system in different ways. There are the following entry routes:
- Ascending. Most often this happens, pathogenic microflora enters the bladder through the urethra.
- descending. In this case, microorganisms enter through the kidneys (for example, in the presence of pyelonephritis).
- Lymphogenic. Associated with lymph flow, through which organisms enter the bladder from other organs of the small pelvis, in the presence of inflammation in them.
- Hematogenous. Infection occurs from distant inflammatory foci due to blood flow.
There are several reasons why cystitis is more common in women than in men. These include the following:
- The particular structure of the reproductive system, which contributes to the spread of bacteria and infections in the urinary system.
- A short urethra, located near the anus (place where various bacteria accumulate).
- Frequent hormonal fluctuations, which can weaken the body's immunity.
Risk factors
Certain factors increase the risk of developing inflammation of the bladder. These include:
- Hypothermia of the pelvic organs.
- Decreased immunity.
- Constant overwork, frequent stress.
- Violation of the rules of intimate hygiene.
- Tendency to constipation.
- Abuse of spicy and spicy foods.
- Stagnation in the pelvic organs.
- Chronic pathologies of the genitourinary system.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Congenital pathologies of the urinary organs.
Pregnancy is another factor in the development of such an infection. According to statistics, every 10 pregnant girls have symptoms of inflammation of the bladder. This condition leads to a decrease in general immunity, a change in hormonal levels, an increase in the size of the uterus and a deterioration in the blood supply to the bladder.
Also, the disease is often diagnosed in postmenopausal patients. Beyond age 50-55, estrogen levels drop, often leading to weakening of the bladder lining.
In many patients, acute or chronic cystitis occurs during menstruation. This is due to bacteria entering the urethra with menstrual blood. The following factors can provoke such a condition during menstruation:
- Thrush or other infectious pathologies.
- Inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs.
- Decreased general immunity.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Allergic reaction to pads or tampons.
- Non-compliance with hygiene rules.
Treatment characteristics
The diagnosis of "cystitis" is made on the basis of the patient's complaints and an examination by a urologist or gynecologist, and certain instrumental tests and examinations are also mandatory.
The doctor prescribes for the woman:
- general urinalysis;
- clinical blood test;
- urine culture, bacteriological examination (if complicated cystitis is suspected).
With a recurrent course of the disease, a smear and seeding of vaginal discharge, an analysis for antibodies to the herpes virus, scrapings from the urethra and cervical canal can be prescribed. These procedures help identify factors that cause relapses.
Instrumental techniques are also important in the diagnosis of pathology. Among them:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and bladder.
- MRI of the genitourinary system.
- Cystoscopy with biopsy (with complicated or recurrent course).
Such diagnostic procedures allow you to determine the presence of pathology and the causes of its occurrence. Based on the data obtained, a specialist can draw up a treatment regimen for cystitis. The therapy is based on an integrated approach, which aims to achieve the following objectives:
- Carrying out antibacterial and symptomatic treatment, elimination of existing symptoms.
- Prevention of possible complications.
- Prevention of recurrence of pathology.
Antibacterial and symptomatic therapy includes taking various drugs. These can be analgesics, antibacterials, anti-inflammatories, antispasmodics, etc. The purpose of their administration is to relieve symptoms and eliminate the existing inflammatory process. Additionally, the doctor can prescribe immunomodulators or multivitamin complexes. If cystitis is recurrent, bacteriophage preparations are often used.
In addition, it is possible to prescribe various physiotherapeutic methods. Among them:
- Electrophoresis. Helps relieve inflammation and reduces cramps.
- Magnetotherapy. Eliminates bacteria and viruses in the inflamed organ.
- Inductotherapy. Contributes to the normalization of blood flow, normalizes the urinary system.
In addition, the patient is recommended to follow several rules:
- Exclude spicy, spicy and salty foods, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and sweets from the diet.
- Refuse sexual intercourse for the duration of treatment.
- Drink enough water (acidic fruit drinks and urology fees are also recommended).
- Refuse any physical activity (including swimming in the pool and ponds).
Important!Traditional medicine methods do not have proven effectiveness, so they can only be used in combination with drugs. You can not use folk remedies on your own - be sure to consult your doctor!
The treatment is done on an outpatient basis, with a few exceptions. Sometimes hospitalization of the patient is necessary, indications for this can be:
- Severe course of the disease.
- The presence of serious concomitant diseases (for example, diabetes mellitus).
- The occurrence of complications.
- Decompensated heart failure.
- Ineffectiveness of current antibiotic therapy.
Symptoms and treatment of acute cystitis
The acute form develops rapidly against the background of the relative health of the patient. 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 is a rapid increase in symptoms and an increase in the number of urinations during the first day. Intervals between urination can be reduced to 5-15 minutes. At the same time, cravings occur both during the day and at night.
The condition may be accompanied by the appearance of blood in the urine and purulent discharge. The acute form of the pathology lasts an average of up to 7-10 days, without the lack of proper treatment the disease becomes chronic with phases of exacerbation.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic cystitis
This stage develops as a result of incorrect and / or untimely treatment of the inflammatory process. Often the pathology is the result of self-medication and uncontrolled medication.
Also, the chronic form can be the result of 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 pronounced symptoms. A woman may experience exacerbations followed by remission, during which there are no problems with urination. However, during exacerbations, symptoms similar to the acute form appear. There are 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 factors that constantly provoke relapses. For example, during menopause and in the presence of hormonal disorders, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed. In some cases, surgery may be needed to correct birth defects of 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, processing takes no more than 10-12 days. However, in the absence of medical care 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 treatment is recommended for patients with frequently recurrent cystitis (more than 3 exacerbations per year) to prevent possible complications. It involves taking small doses of antibiotics, but such treatment is only done as directed by a doctor.
Disease prevention
In most cases, simple preventive measures help to avoid the development of cystitis. In particular, you must:
- Good hygiene of the external genitalia.
- Observe hygiene during sexual activity.
- Drink enough clean water every day.
- Eliminate all provoking factors (stress, hypothermia, a large amount of spicy and spicy foods).
- Consult a doctor in a timely manner and do not treat diseases of the pelvic organs yourself.
It is also important to remember that during cystitis it is forbidden to go to a bath / sauna or overheat the body (including using heating pads in the lower abdomen). In the presence of a 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, heating the tissues 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, include physical activity in the daily routine. This will eliminate congestion in the pelvic organs and normalize the process of urination.
Cystitis is an extremely unpleasant disease, as it progresses rapidly and can affect the quality of life. However, the correct and rational approach to treatment allows you to quickly eliminate all 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 correct diagnosis and treatment, you should always consult a doctor.