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 have 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 of this problem come from women, but sometimes they also occur in men.
Reasons for development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for one reason - as a result of pathogens entering the bladder.
The following factors can provoke 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 for 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 probability of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder by ascending, lymphogenic and hematogenous routes. A necessary condition for the development of the disease is the entry 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 signs:
- the appearance of a frequent desire to go to the toilet;
- soreness, burning and discomfort during urination;
- passing a small amount of blood in the urine;
- false desire to go to the toilet, decrease in the amount of urine output.
In addition to the specific symptoms, the patient may experience the following signs of cystitis:
- pain during and after intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- increase in body temperature;
- pulling pains in lower back.
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 one, but they become less pronounced and intense.
Distinctive features compared to other forms
Cystitis is a disease that has a large number of forms and manifestations. The most common bacterial, fungal and viral cystitis of an infectious nature. In some cases, the disease is provoked by a "descended" kidney infection.
In addition to those listed, there is an extensive group of non-infectious cystitis. They can develop as a result of non-biological damage to the mucous membrane.
There are the following 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 by very frequent urges to urinate - in some cases, their number can reach up to 100 times a day.
- Ray.It occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Irradiation adversely 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.
- Chemically toxic. This form of the disease can occur when using spermicidal gels, hygiene sprays or chlorine entering the urethra when visiting the pool.
Diagnosis
Even in the presence of specific symptoms, cystitis can be diagnosed only with the help of a laboratory examination of urine. The analysis allows you to identify the presence of protein in it, an excess of leukocytes and hematuria (presence of red blood cells). In addition, a bacterial culture is performed, thanks to which the doctor can identify the cause of the disease and choose the most effective drugs.
In men, the prostate gland is further examined and tests are done to rule out a number of genital infections that can be hidden and asymptomatic. Women should be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to assess the microflora.
Methods of treatment of bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires medical treatment with antibacterial drugs. The doctor chooses the appropriate means after studying the results of laboratory tests. The disease in the chronic stage requires therapy 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 cause of cystitis is Escherichia coli, this uropathogenic microorganism is found in 75-90% of cases.
In 5-10% of patients, the disease is caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus, other enterobacteria are less common.
Pathogenetic treatment
Antibacterial therapy in women can get rid of bacteria in the bladder, but does not affect bacteria in the gut. They again fall on the surface of the perineum, into the urethra and then into the bladder. The membrane of the bladder, designed to protect it from the penetration of bacteria, is destroyed during cystitis, which causes a high probability of recurrence of the disease.
In world practice, the treatment of the chronic form of cystitis by introducing sodium hyaluronan into the bladder is widespread. There are oral agents, but more often the most effective is their combination.
Such drugs allow:
- protect the walls of the bladder from the penetration of bacteria;
- restoration of the damaged protective layer of the mucous membrane;
- protects the urothelium from the influence of toxic components contained in urine;
- significant reduction in the intensity of the inflammatory process occurring in the bladder.
This technique is effective in relapses, resistance to antibacterial drugs and lack of results from other types of therapy. Another of its advantages is reducing 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 allows to cope with this, the main purpose of which is to alleviate the general condition of the patient.
In most cases, doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, recommend giving up tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. To ease the pain, you can take a warm bath and use a heating pad. During the treatment of cystitis, it is important to drink enough water.
Remedies for bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment of cystitis in women involves oral medication. Dealing with the disease in a short time allows an integrated approach that takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
antibiotics
The basis of cystitis treatment is the use of drugs that can selectively inhibit or destroy pathogens. For the treatment of inflammatory processes occurring in the urogenital system of the body, uroseptics are used, which are excreted through the kidneys and thus ensure an effective concentration of the drug in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotic | Description |
|---|---|
| A derivative of phosphonic acid | Water-soluble powder with a citrus aroma. This drug is considered one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. It works for about 2 hours, it is completely excreted from the body after 2 days. |
| A semi-synthetic antibiotic from the second generation macrolide group | White tablets. It is prescribed to patients who have experienced cystitis as a result of a sexually transmitted infection. |
| Antibiotic from the fluoroquinolone group II generation | Orange tablets. 1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the drug is completely excreted from the body within 1 day. |
| Antibiotic from the group of quinolones of the 1st generation | It affects a wide range of viruses. It is available in the form of hard capsules, the active substance being nalidixic acid. |
| Antibiotic from the group of quinolones of the 1st generation | Available in the form of capsules, the active substance is pipemidic acid. It begins to act in the first 1. 5 hours after administration. Up to 85% of the active substance is excreted within 1 day. |
| A semi-synthetic antibiotic from the group of III generation cephalosporins | Orange tablets with the aroma of forest fruits. The action of the drug is to suppress the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Pain relievers
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 such drugs as the main ones. The same approach is used in cases where the use of antibiotics is impossible for one reason or another. As a complex therapy, the specialist can prescribe antispasmodic drugs that block the painful spasms of the bladder wall.
In the acute phase of the disease, the bladder can shrink, which prevents 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 keep in mind that antispasmodics affect systemic blood flow and the functioning of internal organs, so they are not used for problems with hematopoiesis, kidney and liver failure, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and some other health problems. Therefore, their intake and dosage should be agreed with the doctor.
Diuretics
To restore normal urination, which is an important factor in the treatment of cystitis, diuretics are prescribed. The most sparing are herbal diuretics or herbal medicines that are intended for adjuvant therapy.
Among them are:
- Preparation in the form of a paste consisting of herbs and essential extracts. A small amount of this medicine is diluted with water and taken orally.
- Herbal tablets or solution containing St. John's wort, St. John's wort roots and Rosemary leaves. It has both a diuretic and antimicrobial effect on the body.
- Herbal collections. The composition of such herbal medicines includes herbs that stimulate the production of urine 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. Such means are effective in various forms of cystitis and are used even in advanced cases.
Drinking mode
Drinking enough fluid can reduce the concentration of urine and the irritation of the walls of the inflamed 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 per day, depending on the patient's body weight. With cystitis, bed rest is necessary, which allows you to speed up the healing and recovery process.
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 them at least 1 time a day, while the direction should be from front to back. In this way, it is possible to avoid the entry of pathogens from the anus into the vagina and urethra (this is the mechanism that most often leads to the development of cystitis in women).
- Drinking enough fluids.
- Use of barrier contraceptives.
- Protection against hypothermia and a long stay in a wet swimsuit.
- Rejection 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 any bacteria that may have entered the urethra. It is equally important to empty the bladder regularly, since stagnant urine is a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogens.
If symptoms resume up to 14 days after the end of therapy, it is necessary to make urine for bacterial culture. Treatment failure may be due to the low sensitivity of the microorganism to the selected drug.
Possible complications and chronicity of the disease
Untreated cystitis can develop into a chronic form, which becomes much more difficult to cure and whose therapy 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 given due attention, 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, which reduces the amount of urine it can hold. In this case, the patient faces frequent and painful urination.
In men, prolonged cystitis can lead to leakage of urine into the prostate gland, an inflammatory process in the prostate, and epididymitis. Women may have reproductive problems. Cystitis, which is of a bacterial 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.