Cystitis (cyctitis) is a common disease of the urinary system associated with an inflammatory process of the bladder mucosa. It should be noted that one in four women has been confronted with the symptoms of cystitis at least once in her life, while one in ten suffers from a 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 introducing an infection into it.
Causes of disease
Cystitis in women usually occurs due to an aggressive opportunistic pathogen entering the urethra, as well as ascending sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, ureaplasma (Ureaplasma), fungal infections of the genus Candida, etc. Short and wide urinary tracts are often vulnerable to such infections. The appearance of cystitis in women can also occur due to the movement of pathogens through the bloodstream. This path of disease development is called hematogenous.
Another option for infection is the entry of bacteria into the bladder with pathologies of the kidneys and ureters. Usually such a development of events can be observed with pyelonephritis.
It is worth noting a less common, but still present variant of the development of the disease, caused by abnormalities in the development of the urinary system. In addition, a decrease in the contractility of the bladder muscles can lead to cystitis.
Signs of infection can appear especially actively in the presence of predisposing factors. These include:
- Sedentary work. Being in a sitting position for more than three hours in a row, the urine stagnates, which leads to a possible bladder infection. Therefore, if your job involves long sitting in one place, you should get up every hour and do a little warm-up every three hours.
- Constipation.
- The presence of sand and pebbles in the bladder.
- Tight underwear that can disrupt normal blood circulation in the pelvic organs.
- Frequent hypothermia of the body.
- Lower back injury, spinal cord injury.
- Early onset of sexual activity.
- Metabolic disorders, hormonal changes in the body (for example, menopause or pregnancy). During hormonal surges, the body's immune system can malfunction. Warning: when carrying a child, the mother-to-be is particularly exposed in the event of infection and the development of cystitis. Therefore, during pregnancy, you need to carefully monitor your own health and consult a doctor at the first signs of illness.
- Diabetes mellitus (diabetes mellitus).
- Therapy with immunosuppressive drugs.
- Oncological diseases.
- Unbalanced and irregular diet: abuse of spicy and fried foods, alcohol.
- Improper hygienic procedures (in particular, improper washing in the direction from the anus to the vagina).
- The risk of bladder infection is high with insufficient personal hygiene (prolonged wearing of the same pad or tampon during menstruation, untimely change of underwear, constant use of daily pads).
- Stress, chronic lack of sleep, which has a serious impact 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 lead toviolation of sterility of the urethra
Separately, it is worth highlighting such a form of inflammation of the bladder as interstitial cystitis, which is a consequence of severe disorders in the functioning of the immune system and is a serious chronic disease.
Symptoms and signs
Symptoms of cystitis are very characteristic and allow you to immediately make the correct diagnosis. First of all, these are frequent urination (the patient goes to the toilet up to several times an hour) and the manifestation of pain at the end of the process of emptying the bladder. Additionally, the most striking symptoms include:
- feeling of fullness of the bladder even after urinating;
- an admixture of blood or pus in the urine;
- urine with cystitis in women acquires a more pungent odor;
- cloudy urine and the presence of flakes in it;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- when the infection spreads, including to the upper parts of the urinary system, pain in the kidneys and lower back is possible;
- quite rare, but there is always difficulty in retaining urine
If you find these symptoms in yourself, you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and further treatment, since the advanced form of the disease is fraught with many complications.
Symptoms of cystitis give a woman not only physical, but also psychological discomfort, leaving an imprint on her personal and social life. Therefore, it is necessary to react as soon as possible to the appearance of the first signs of the disease and start treatment.
If the inflammation caused by the infection passes to the muscular layer of the bladder, the appearance of an interstitial form of cystitis, already mentioned above, is possible. In this case, urine is introduced into the walls of the organ, as well as its reflux into the ureters.
If left untreated and the infection spreads vertically, kidney disease, pyelonephritis, may develop.
Types of cystitis
It is necessary to distinguish the types of the disease, which differ in the mode of onset, course, morphological changes and the nature of the spread.
All varieties of cystitis are divided according to the nature of the course into acute and chronic. We will consider both options for the course of the disease.
Acute cystitis
Against the background of the manifestation of the symptoms described above, acute cystitis gives a mild fever, general malaise. The blood vessels in the bladder expand, causing the walls of the organ to swell. In this case, point hemorrhages and hyperemia (hyperemia) are observed. In the acute phase of the disease, the mucous and submucous membranes of the bladder usually suffer, and their epithelium is sometimes rejected, and an admixture of blood in the urine may appear. The color of urine in the hemorrhagic form of the disease can vary from light pink to cloudy brown.
Chronic cystitis
When the disease enters the chronic phase, the inflammation spreads and moves from the mucosa and submucosa to the muscle layer of the bladder. In this case, the color of the mucous membrane acquires a whitish or grayish tint. If the disease is not treated for a long time, sclerotic processes appear in the organ, which can reduce its volume.
In the chronic form, all the previously mentioned signs can be "fuzzy" and weakly expressed, which makes diagnosis difficult. If chronic cystitis is suspected, it is necessary to focus on the data of anamnesis, macro and microscopy of urine, cystoscopy and bacteriological examination. A parallel gynecological examination is especially important in the detection of chronic cystitis, since it is often genital infections that provoke the appearance of chronic forms of cystitis.
Acute and chronic cystitis: which doctor should I contact?
Standard tests for the diagnosis of cystitis in elderly women, mature women and girls are general urine analysis, urine culture for pathological flora (bacteriuria), Nechiporenko analysis. As additional measures, modern clinics often offer to undergo ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys, cystoscopy and examinations for STIs. In some cases, the doctor may prescribe a urine sample for analysis not by the standard method, but using a catheter. This may be necessary to prevent vaginal discharge from entering the urine.
Treatment of acute cystitis is carried out on the basis of antibacterial drugs. Due to the fact that these drugs are excreted by the kidneys, it is very easy to achieve the desired concentration of the antibiotic in the bladder, so that the effect of treatment appears as quickly as possible. In doing so, two important factors should be considered:
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 relieving the disease, the prescribed course of antibiotics should be followed to the end, which will prevent relapses and the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
In addition to the treatment of cystitis, apply:
- drugs to relieve bladder spasms, general anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapy;
- ozone therapy;
- acupuncture.
For the treatment of the chronic form of cystitis, local administration of drugs that prevent the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms can also be used. As an aid, a tea tree essential oil gel can be used. The gel is recommended to eliminate vaginal discomfort, normalize microflora and restore the vaginal mucosa after infectious and inflammatory diseases and in the period after antibiotic treatment.
Acute cystitis
It should be noted that the treatment for acute cystitis is always bed rest. To treat the inflammatory process of the "runaway" bladder without issuing sick leave, especially in the cold season, means risking a possible transition of the disease into a chronic form. The disease is always accompanied by severe stress for the body, which requires rest and rest. At the same time, ignoring the disease and postponing a visit to the doctor can "lead" to pyelonephritis, the treatment of which will require constant medical supervision.
Diet
In order 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 a number of restrictions. The exclusion of hot and spicy will help recovery and prevent a recurrence of the situation. During the course of treatment, it is necessary to completely exclude alcohol. This applies to all alcoholic beverages.
If you find yourself with painful and frequent urination, blood impurities, flakes or pus in your urine, don't rush to panic. Indeed, according to statistics, female cystitis is a very common phenomenon.
The main thing is not to delay and consult a doctor in time.
As a rule, this disease is determined when there are frequent painful emissions of urine in small portions, with blood impurities. These processes are often accompanied by an increase in body temperature. Cystitis is dangerous with a possible progression to a chronic form or the development of inflammation of the kidneys. Most often, cystitis is infectious in nature.
Cystitis is widespread in both women and men, but the fair sex is more susceptible to 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 recurrence of cystitis, which significantly worsens a woman's health, affects her life.
Prevalence of cystitis
The so-called acute cystitis is one of the most common urological diseases. It is not uncommon to find uncomplicated cystitis, during which microbes affect only 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 1 year old, and it is most common in children between the ages of one and three, and especially in 13-15 year olds. As a rule, cystitis often occurs in patients aged 4-12 years.
Chronic cystitis is one of the most common urological diseases. Based on these studies, chronic cystitis can be seen in 11-21% of the population. A large scatter of data is caused by a different approach regarding the definition of chronic cystitis. Some authors of studies write that the diagnosis of "chronic cystitis" should be considered when exacerbations occur 2 or more times a year.
cystitis in summer
There are very few women who did not feel the symptoms of cystitis on themselves, when the pleasure of wonderful summer days was 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.
Most often, cystitis in the summer occurs due to such factors:
- living in a new place during the vacation period, which causes problems with personal hygiene;
- hypothermia of the body, which occurs as a result of prolonged bathing in cold water;
- violation of the usual urinary regime, which is associated with moving, flying or being in a new place;
- drastic climate change, which negatively affects human immunity.
An additional factor in the threat of developing cystitis in some cases is an increase in sexual activity, against the background of the above conditions, which are unfavorable for the female body.
In the event that your weekend or vacation is nevertheless 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 will need to undergo an ultrasound of the bladder, take a urine test. Antibacterial drugs today effectively act directly on the causative agent of cystitis and can accelerate the healing process, as well as prevent the development of acute cystitis into a chronic form.
Modern drugs, unlike drugs of the previous generation, which affected the entire body of the patient, affect only the inflamed areas of the bladder, minimally affect other human organs. The main concentration of drugs is maximally revealed exclusively in the urine and bladder mucosa, which is inflamed. This allows you to minimize the toxic effect on other organs and concentrate the entire burden on the treatment of cystitis.
Among the drugs used to treat this disease, it is worth noting the drug containing fosfomycin. He, given his high selectivity of actions with a minimal toxicological load on the body, has another useful quality - this drug subsequently does not cause phototoxicity. This is the name of a side effect that can be caused by many drugs used to treat cystitis. The manifestation of phototoxicity is an increase in sensitivity to the sun, the appearance of redness or burning under the influence of even low-intensity ultraviolet rays. Phototoxicity arises due to the presence in the preparations of substances having the properties of photosensitizers or photoreagents. Such substances provoke the appearance of a significant amount of free radicals in the skin, which cause the destruction of skin cells, inflammation and even burns.
Unlike other drugs for the treatment of cystitis, fosfomycin is not able to cause phototoxicity, which means that it can be used without disturbing the planned beach vacation regimen. The advantage can also be called the maximum absence of side effects, which makes it possible to safely and very effectively treat cystitis 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 weakened immune system, this disease may well become a serious ordeal. Pregnant women who are faced with manifestations of symptoms of inflammation of the bladder have to go through a lot of difficulties. Cystitis during pregnancy is undoubtedly dangerous, but with timely access to a doctor, undesirable consequences can be avoided. Self-medication or ignoring the disease can cause a very serious complication, such as kidney infection. Bacteria can seriously damage them. 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 to a child prematurely, with a lack of weight.
Children's cystitis
It is generally accepted that only adults are affected by cystitis, but this is not the case. In addition, there is no age limit 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.
Quite often, cystitis in children occurs due to hypothermia. Bacteria are the main causative agent, and fungal and viral infections are extremely rare.
Causes of cystitis
In 70-95% of patients with acute cystitis, it was caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), 5-20% observed Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus saprophyticus), in the remaining patients Proteus mirabilis acts as lcausative agent of the disease. ) and Klebsiella (Klebsiella spp).
As a rule, cystitis is caused by opportunistic flora organisms. Studies have confirmed that the causative agents of cystitis are not necessarily bacteria, it is quite possible to get sick with cystitis, the cause of which will be mycoplasma virus, chlamydia, Trichomonas and other fungi.
The high prevalence of cystitis in women is due not only to the small length of the urethra, but also to its wide lumen and physiological location relative to other organs. The female urethra, unlike the male urethra, is closer to the anus. Due to these anatomical features of the female body, the body is poorly protected against pathogenic microbes entering the urethra, and then the microbes can easily migrate to the bladder, which can cause cystitis.
In men, cystitis is less common. The causes of the manifestation of this disease in men are most often inflammation of the urethra, epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate. It happens that the penetration of infection into the region of the urethra occurs due to catheterization. The risk of cystitis doubles after performing a bladder catheterization in men with BPH, of which frequent urinary retention is one of the symptoms. The likelihood of developing cystitis also increases after the introduction of a catheter in 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 contain blood impurities. At this time, the state of health may worsen, and constant pain in the lumbar region may be felt. In older people and children, the symptoms of cystitis are usually not so obvious. They can be characterized by symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain and nausea.
Diagnosis of cystitis
When diagnosing a disease, the urologist examines the results of a urinalysis, as well as the results of an ultrasound of the bladder. To determine the etiology of cystitis, they resort to bacterial cultures of urine, and also take a swab from the urethra. In most cases, opportunistic flora bacteria, namely staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli, etc. , can cause cystitis. Often, cystitis occurs due to infection with pathogens that can be transmitted sexually - ureaplasma and mycoplasma. Treatment of cystitis involves the effect of drugs on infectious agents that can provoke the development of the disease.
Treatment of cystitis
Rapid recovery from cystitis and even complete rehabilitation of the mucous membrane is possible if you do not delay the start of treatment, but immediately use drugs of sufficient effectiveness. The chances of completely getting rid of cystitis will increase with timely correct diagnosis and the use of drugs that affect the center of infection. Starting treatment at an advanced stage or prescribing treatment that only eliminates the symptoms of cystitis without affecting the pathogenic area can turn acute cystitis into chronic.
The main task of the doctor treating cystitis is the destruction of pathogenic microbes that have entered the bladder area and caused inflammation of the mucous membrane. The determination of drugs for the process of antibiotic therapy of the disease is made according to the following parameters: the duration of the disease, the severity of symptoms. Also, when selecting drugs, possible side effects, the method and speed of their excretion, absorption of the drug, the presence of additional diseases, etc. are taken into account.
To date, there are relatively affordable drugs for the treatment of cystitis, which selectively affect the causative agent of the disease, a qualified doctor will advise such treatment. When ingested, the drug concentrates inside the bladder, increasing its effectiveness. In addition, the use of modern antibiotics reduces the duration of treatment for cystitis, protects against side effects as much as possible and reduces the risk to the patient's entire body.
Useful tips to prevent cystitis
- try to avoid hypothermia;
- despite the circumstances, scrupulously respect the rules of hygiene;
- when performing hygiene procedures, use neutral and gentle products;
- during menstruation, change the sanitary napkin in a timely manner;
- visit the toilet in time, do not delay if there is a need;
- drink more fluids;
- it is advisable to abandon tight clothes, tk. it can, when squeezing, aggravate blood circulation in the pelvic region;
- try to normalize bowel activity. In case of a tendency to constipation, it is advisable to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
In this case, the symptoms and treatment of cystitis will not be a problem for you.