One of the unpleasant diseases that are widespread 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 is expressed in inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. It occurs in men, women and children. The female gender 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 infection to enter the body. Many people consider cystitis to be a woman's disease. Here the question arises: do men have cystitis? Answer: Of course, it happens, but less often. In percentage terms, the incidence of cystitis in women is about 25%, and in men - 0. 5%.
The main cause of the development of an infectious inflammatory process of the bladder is Escherichia coli, but chlamydia, ureaplasma and Candida fungi are also dangerous. The development of cystitis is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle, which provokes a violation of blood circulation in the pelvic organs and bladder, reduced immunity, metabolic disorders, menopause, consumption of spicy foods and diabetes mellitus. Cystitis occurs 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 less pronounced. Chronic cystitis in the absence of the necessary treatment can become interstitial.
All forms are able to make serious changes in the usual way of life, reduce efficiency and cause psychological discomfort, therefore, competent treatment by a specialist should be started at the first symptoms. 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 multifaceted disease. One example of cystitis is trigonitis. This means that the inflammation has spread into the cystic triangle. If only the lower part of the triangle is affected, we will talk about cervical inflammation of the bladder. Cervical cystitis owes its name to the localization of inflammation in the area of the bladder neck. Its treatment is a complex process that requires the patient to observe bed rest, a strict diet and drinking plenty of water.
Speaking of female cystitis, it is important to mention that this disease tends to worsen before menstruation. Cystitis during menstruation is quite common. 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. In addition, 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 found in the vagina, capable of provoking cystitis by themselves with a decrease in immunity.
Childhood cystitis is also more common in girls than boys. This is due to the proximity of the short, wide urinary system and the anus. Also, inflammation of the urinary 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, which is so common today, and the presence of stones in the urinary organs.
Bladder inflammation in men is characteristic of the representatives of adulthood. Male symptoms of this disease are identical to female symptoms. Almost always, the reason for the development of cystitis in men lies in the penetration of infection through the blood from neighboring inflamed organs.
In addition to the traditional understanding of the causes of cystitis, psychosomatic provocations are also possible. Psychosomatics of cystitis has a place, since this disease manifests itself in a period of life changes. Bladder inflammation is often seen in people who tend to hold back or suppress their emotions.
Types of cystitis
As noted above, acute and chronic cystitis are distinguished. Acute inflammation of the bladder is understood as cystitis, which occurred for the first time in the patient, which did not progress to a chronic disease. If exacerbations of cystitis occur 2 or more times within 6 months or 3 or more times within 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 complete treatment, acute cystitis becomes chronic. The development of acute cystitis is unexpected. Symptoms of acute cystitis are more pronounced than chronic. Exacerbations of the disease occur mainly in spring and autumn. In most cases, gram-negative enterobacteria and coagulase-negative species of staphylococci become the provocateur of the development of infectious cystitis. Cystitis has different types. Doctors distinguish the following types: hemorrhagic, interstitial, radiation, genital, postcoital, cervical, hypercalcic, chemical, allergic and parasitic cystitis. Let's take a closer look:
- hemorrhagic cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder caused by an infection. It is characterized by discharge of urine with an unpleasant smell and bloody discharge;
- with interstitial cystitis, the inflammatory process develops due to a non-infectious nature. This type is characterized by pain when filling the bladder and reducing its volume. In interstitial cystitis, not only the mucosa but also the submucosal layer is inflamed;
- one of the consequences of radiation therapy is radiation cystitis. This happens due to damage to the mucous membrane of the bladder;
- due to changes in the microflora on a sexual basis, genital cystitis develops. Its subspecies is venereal 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 type can present with urinary incontinence;
- in the case of metabolic disorders, hypercalcic cystitis may develop, in particular, when the kidneys begin to excrete calcium salt crystals;
- 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 infestations can often cause a parasitic form of cystitis
Regardless of the type of cystitis, treatment will include antibacterial drugs, bed rest, dry heat, herbal decoctions, and adequate fluid intake.
Symptoms of cystitis
Symptoms of cystitis in women, men and children are almost the same. As a rule, cystitis provokes frequent urination in small portions, causing a sensation of pain and burning. Urine becomes cloudy and acquires a sharp unpleasant smell. It is not unusual for a small amount of blood to pass through 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 in the form of temperature changes, gastralgia and nausea. In the elderly, cystitis can be asymptomatic. Another symptom of cystitis is urinary incontinence.
The first manifestation of the disease is the frequent urge to urinate. The urge to go to the toilet can appear during the day and at night every few minutes. Sometimes women lose control over this process and urination occurs spontaneously.
With the development of the inflammatory process, the clinical picture is supplemented by the following symptoms:
- severe itching and burning in the vulva;
- suprapubic pain that spreads to the lower back;
- slight increase in body temperature;
- a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- change in color, 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 such conditions is the application of effort to urinate (need to strain), involuntary urinary incontinence, pain at the beginning and at the end of the urination process. With acute inflammation of the bladder, an increase in body temperature and a weakened state of health are observed.
Symptoms of cystitis in men are similar to those in women: frequent urination, especially at night, spasms and pain in the pubic area and perineum, presence of mucus and blood in the urine.
Cystitis in children is not always determined immediately, since it is more difficult for the child to explain his condition and the nature of the pain, and newborns will not be able to explain anything. In children, there is usually 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 has a temperature of up to 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, particularly Escherichia coli. Cystitis after intercourse develops due to prolonged friction of the urethra. As a rule, the first symptoms of cystitis after intercourse are observed after 12 hours. The reason for 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 outflow of urine is disturbed and it can fall back into the ureter. Elderly people often have difficulty moving and lead a sedentary lifestyle. 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 rare.
The causes of cystitis in women are related to a violation of the microflora of the vagina. Most often, women show infectious and allergic types of inflammation. Gonorrhea with no less success can provoke cystitis. Hypothermia is considered a major risk for women. So, let's highlight the most common causes of cystitis in women:
- failure to observe personal hygiene;
- hypothermia (sitting in the cold);
- urinary retention;
- weak immunity;
- pregnancy;
- surgical intervention in the genital organs 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 in women: urinary stasis, hypothermia, E. coli and gonorrhea (and other sexually transmitted diseases) also provoke 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 last more than 14 days, chronic inflammation occurs.
In acute cystitis, the inflammatory process does not go beyond the mucous membrane, the submucosal layer. The clinical picture is expressed in frequent urination, pain in the bladder area, the presence of pus in the urine, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, false urges to urinate.
Severe forms of acute inflammation are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, severe intoxication. Pain sensations are localized not only in the area of the pubic bone, but are also transmitted to the perineum, genitals. There are many leukocytes, cells from the bladder mucosa, bacteria in the urine.
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, genital organs, sclerosis of the bladder neck, prostate adenoma, urolithiasis. Taking into account 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 progresses with relapses and exacerbations. With chronic inflammation, damage to the kidneys, neck, side, back and front wall of the bladder is not excluded.
Diagnosis of cystitis
Laboratory tests are the basis of cystitis diagnosis. To confirm or identify cystitis, the patient may be referred for the following tests:
- complete blood count - makes it possible to identify the inflammatory process by increasing ESR and leukocytes;
- urinalysis - in the presence of cystitis, it shows protein. The results of the microscopic examination of the sediment with cystitis will give an increase in leukocytes and erythrocytes. Urine with cystitis becomes cloudy and may turn pink in case of bleeding;
- urinalysis according to Nechiporenko - it is used in cases of the presence of erythrocytes in the urine sediment and a large 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 identify 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 allow the detection of urinary tract infection.
During menstruation, women should not give urine for tests, as the results can be false.
Rules for passing a urine test for cystitis
Before starting to collect morning urine, you should rinse the genitals with warm water or a disinfectant solution. Before a urine test, you should not eat foods that can affect the color of urine, it is better not to drink compotes, fruit drinks and kefir (it affects the acid flora). You can also not take diuretics and laxatives.
Treatment of cystitis
Can cystitis be cured forever? This is perhaps the main question that worries people who have encountered this disease personally. 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, an important role is played by compliance with the diet, bed and drinking regime. Let's specify that the amount of daily water intake should be at least 2-2. 5 liters, and the diet implies the consumption of diuretic products and the refusal of alcohol, coffee, spicy, fried, smoked, salty, sour, canned and preservatives. . Adherence to these regimes is a general rule in the treatment of cystitis in women, men and children. Let's take a closer look at the aspects of cystitis treatment.
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 you cope with unpleasant symptoms. For the period of treatment of cystitis, women will have to temporarily refuse sexual contact. The desired result of the therapy is the normalization of the vaginal microflora. Women are mostly prescribed penicillinsantibiotics to neutralize microbes and preparations with beneficial bacteria to stabilize the microflora. Candles with belladonna will help to calm the inflammation. If the doctor's requirements are met, the 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 that, if not treated properly during pregnancy, can cause complications in the form of kidney infection and premature birth. For the treatment of cystitis during pregnancy, doctors choose the safest drugs. Infectious cystitis causes difficulties because its treatment requires antibiotics, which are not recommended for the fetus. To treat cystitis in pregnant women, pain relievers and anticholinergics, drugs to relax the muscles of the bladder, are used. Postpartum cystitis develops due to the compressed position of the bladder and impaired blood circulation during childbirth, catheterization and cooling, as well as due to postpartum weakening of the immune system. Cystitis that occurred during breastfeeding is safer to treat with herbal preparations, but we must remember that, like any medicine, only a doctor can prescribe it.
To eliminate the pain, the frequent urge to urinate, doctors prescribe antispasmodic drugs and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The choice of drugs for cystitis in men depends on the current pathologies of the genitourinary system. Physiotherapy and sanatoriums will be good helpers to improve the condition after an exacerbation and during remission.
Antibiotics for cystitis are used:
- fluoroquinolones
- nitrofurans
Treatment of cystitis in children should be prescribed and monitored exclusively by a doctor. Self-administration of antibiotics in 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 compliance with 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 based on comorbidity, the treatment of chronic cystitis will be ordered.
To prevent cystitis in children and adults, it is useful to take preventive measures. Prevention of cystitis includes compliance with hygiene rules (daily water procedures with soap), wearing clean underwear, strengthening immunity, proper and healthy nutrition.
Medicines for cystitis
Preparations for cystitis in women, men and children include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and general strengthening agents. Drugs of choice for cystitis with active ingredients: fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, furazidine. Alternative antibacterial treatment of cystitis with active ingredients: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, levofloxacin hemihydrate. The first three drugs have been used to treat cystitis for many years and have not yet lost their relevance. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of cystitis drugs.
Broad-spectrum antimicrobials. The course of treatment with these drugs varies from a week to 10 days. It is recommended to consume them after a meal. These cystitis drugs are very suitable for first aid during an exacerbation. The disadvantages of drugs include a large number of side effects.
The ideal cystitis antibiotic with fosfomycin, so to speak. It is available as tablets and powder to dissolve in water. This modern tool has a minimal list of side effects, which is a definite advantage when choosing a drug. The drug has a fast absorption and a point of action aimed at the bacteria that cause the development of cystitis. Only one cystitis tablet allows you to achieve a successful therapeutic effect. It is hard to believe, but it has been proven that a single dose of antibiotic helps to 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 before going to bed, after urination. The effect of the antibiotic lasts for 3 days.
In the treatment of cystitis, herbal medicines 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 a new exacerbation. For these purposes, long-term intake of decoctions of various diuretic and antiseptic herbal preparations or official herbal medicines is indicated. Treatment of cystitis with herbs is successfully combined with drug therapy. Studies show that the result of herbal treatment is observed after a few weeks. The advantage of using herbal preparations is their naturalness. But plants are not always safe for our body, so it is very important to follow the doses. The dosage of the use of herbal preparations differs depending on the age of the patient. For example, the daily dose of herbal tea for children under 1 year is half a teaspoon, for children under 3 years - 1 teaspoon, from 6 to 10 years - 1 tablespoon, for adults - 2 tablespoons. Here is an example of a recipe for a cystitis herbal collection that you can prepare yourself at home.
Prevention of cystitis in women
In half of the cases, cystitis in women recurs. To prevent attacks of the disease and their recurrence, it is enough to follow a number of simple recommendations:
- Pay more attention to personal hygiene. Girls should be taught from an early age to keep their genitals especially clean, to wash daily and change their underwear.
- When choosing underwear, women should pay attention to its composition. You can not wear products made of synthetic fabrics and inappropriate in size.
- Drink plenty of plain clean water. Maintaining a normal water balance in the body strengthens the immune system, and frequent urination accelerates the removal 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.
- Do not tolerate the urge to urinate.
Many women do not consider cystitis to be a serious disease and try to cope with the pain on their own. The situation is especially dangerous when, on the advice of friends or acquaintances, they start taking 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 based on the nature of the course of the disease, its form and the presence of concomitant pathologies.