One of the unpleasant diseases that has spread widely 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 consists of inflammation of the bladder mucosa. It occurs in men, women and children. The female sex is more susceptible to this disease due to the peculiarities of her body's anatomy: the female urethra is short and wide, which is very convenient for the infection to enter the body. Many people consider cystitis a female disease. Here the question arises: do men have cystitis? Answer: Sure, it happens, just less often. In percentage, 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 that provokes circulatory disorders of the pelvic and bladder organs, decreased 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 not as pronounced. Chronic cystitis in the absence of the necessary treatment can turn into interstitial.
All forms are able to make serious changes in the usual way of life, reduce efficiency and bring psychological discomfort, therefore, at the first symptoms, competent treatment should be started by a specialist. 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 disease with many types. An example of cystitis is trigonitis. This means that the inflammation has spread to the cystic triangle. If only the lower part of the triangle is affected, we will talk about inflammation of the cervix of the bladder. Cervical cystitis owes its name to the localization of inflammation in the region of the bladder neck. Its treatment is a complex process that requires the patient to observe bed rest, a strict diet and drink plenty of water.
Speaking of female cystitis, it is important to mention that this disease tends to worsen before menstruation. Cystitis during menstruation is a fairly common occurrence. During this period, due to the anatomical and biological characteristics 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, the spilled blood can become an excellent source of food for uninvited guests. In addition, fungi of the genus Candida are located 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 and wide urinary system and the anus. Also, inflammation of the bladder in children can be caused by hypothermia, weakening of the immune system and hereditary factors. Cystitis in babies is relieved 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 typical for representatives of mature age. Male symptoms of this disease are identical to female ones. Almost always, the cause of the development of cystitis in men lies in the penetration of infection through the blood from neighboring inflamed organs.
In addition to the traditional perception of the causes of cystitis, psychosomatic provocations are also possible. Psychosomatics of cystitis has a place, because this disease appears during a period of life changes. Bladder inflammation is often seen in people who tend to hold back their emotions or suppress them.
Types of cystitis
As mentioned above, acute and chronic cystitis are distinguished. Acute inflammation of the bladder is understood as cystitis that appeared for the first time in the patient, which did not turn into a chronic disease. If cystitis flare-ups 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. Aggravations indicate complications of the disease. In the absence of effective and complete treatment, cystitis from an acute form becomes chronic. The development of acute cystitis is sudden. Symptoms of acute cystitis are more pronounced than chronic ones. Aggravations of the disease occur mainly in the spring and autumn periods. In most cases, gram-negative enterobacteria and coagulase-negative staphylococcus species become a provocateur for the development of infectious cystitis. Cystitis is different in its types. Doctors distinguish the following types: hemorrhagic, interstitial, radiation, sexual, postcoital, cervical, hypercalceuric, 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 the secretion of urine with an unpleasant smell and blood flow;
- with interstitial cystitis, the inflammatory process develops due to a non-infectious nature. This species is characterized by pain during bladder filling and a decrease in its volume. With interstitial cystitis, not only the mucosa becomes inflamed, but also the submucosal layer;
- one of the consequences of radiation therapy is radiation cystitis. This happens due to damage to the bladder mucosa;
- due to changes in the microflora based on sex, sexual cystitis develops. Its subgroup 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 bladder neck. This species can appear with urinary incontinence;
- in case of metabolic disorders, hypercalceuric cystitis may develop, especially when the kidneys begin to secrete 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, medicines, cosmetics and household chemicals) can cause allergic cystitis;
- Helminthic invasions are often capable of causing 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 are possible.
Symptoms of cystitis
Symptoms of cystitis in women, men and children are basically the same. As a rule, cystitis provokes frequent urination in small portions, bringing a feeling 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 appear in the form of temperature changes, gastralgia and nausea. In old age, 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 complemented by the following symptoms:
- severe itching and burning in the vulva;
- suprapubic pain radiating to the lower back;
- a slight increase in body temperature;
- the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- change in color, smell of urine.
In severe cases, cystitis attacks are accompanied by high fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine.
Female symptoms of cystitis are dysuria and nocturia. Characteristic for such conditions is the application of efforts to urinate (the need to push), involuntary retention of urine, pain at the beginning and at the end of the urination process. In acute inflammation of the bladder, there is an increase in body temperature and a weakened state of health.
The symptoms of cystitis in men are similar to those of women: frequent urination, especially at night, cramps and pain in the pubic area and perineum, the presence of mucus and blood in the urine.
Cystitis in children is not always determined immediately, because it is more difficult for a child to explain his condition and the nature of the pain, and newborns will not be able to explain anything at all. In children, a state of weakness, discomfort in the lower abdomen, pain and burning is usually observed, as in adults. The color of the 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 penetration of bacteria into the bladder through the urethra, in particular Escherichia coli. Cystitis after sexual intercourse develops due to prolonged friction of the urethra. As a rule, the first symptoms of cystitis after sexual intercourse are observed after 12 hours. The cause of 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 flow of urine is disturbed and it can fall back into the ureter. Older people often have difficulty moving around 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 abstain from urination 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 associated with a violation of the microflora of the vagina. More often, women manifest infectious and allergic types of inflammation. Gonorrhea can no less successfully provoke cystitis. Hypothermia is considered a major risk for women. So, let's highlight the most common causes of cystitis in women:
- non-respect of personal hygiene;
- hypothermia (sitting in the cold);
- urinary stasis;
- 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 of women: urinary retention, 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 triggered 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 persist for more than 14 days, chronic inflammation occurs.
In acute cystitis, the inflammatory process does not go beyond the mucous membrane, the submucous layer. The clinical picture is represented by frequent urination, pain in the bladder area, the presence of pus in the urine, the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, false urge to urinate.
Severe forms of acute inflammation are associated with an increase in body temperature, severe intoxication. Painful sensations are localized not only in the region of the pubic bone, but also give to the perineum, genitals. In the urine there are many leukocytes, cells of the bladder mucosa, bacteria.
Chronic cystitis in women is associated with 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, bladder neck sclerosis, prostate adenoma, urolithiasis. Given 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 continues with relapses and exacerbations. In chronic inflammation, damage to the kidneys, neck, side, back and front walls 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;
- urine analysis - in the presence of cystitis, it shows protein. The results of microscopic examination of sediment with cystitis will give an increase in leukocytes and erythrocytes. Urine with cystitis becomes cloudy and can turn pink in case of bleeding;
- urinalysis according to Nechiporenko - they turn to him in cases of the presence of erythrocytes in the urine sediment and a high number of leukocytes. For this analysis, it is necessary to pass the average flow of urine in the morning;
- Bacteriological diagnosis of urine allows you to determine 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 make it possible to detect infection in the urinary tract.
During menstruation, women should not give urine for analysis, as the results may 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 the urine test, you should not eat foods that can affect the color of urine, it is better not to drink compote, fruit drinks and kefir (it affects the acidic flora). You can also not take diuretics and laxatives.
Treatment of cystitis
Can cystitis be cured permanently? This is probably the main question that worries people who have personally faced this disease. This is possible if the right treatment is started at the right time. How and how to treat cystitis, determines the urologist. As a rule, the doctor chooses complex therapy. In addition to drug treatment, an important role is played by adherence to the food, bed and drink regime. Let's clarify that the amount of daily water intake should be at least 2-2. 5 liters, and the diet means the consumption of diuretic products and the rejection of alcohol, coffee, spicy, fried, smoked, salty, sour, canned and preservative. . Compliance with these regimens is a general rule in the treatment of cystitis in women, men and children. Let's consider the aspects of cystitis treatment in more detail.
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 to cope with the unpleasant symptoms. For the period of cystitis treatment, women will have to temporarily refuse sexual intercourse. The desired result of the therapy is the normalization of the vaginal microflora. Women are mainly prescribed penicillin antibiotics to neutralize microbes and preparations with beneficial bacteria to stabilize the microflora. Candles with belladonna will help calm the inflammation. Depending on the doctor's requirements, 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 provoke 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 that are not recommended for the fetus. For the treatment of cystitis in pregnant women, painkillers and anticholinergic drugs, drugs for relaxing the bladder muscles are used. Postpartum cystitis develops due to the tight position of the bladder and impaired blood circulation during childbirth, catheterization and cooling, as well as due to the weakening of the immune system after birth. Cystitis, which appeared 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 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The selection of drugs for cystitis in men depends on the actual pathologies of the genitourinary system. Physiotherapy and sanatoriums will be good helpers to improve the condition after aggravation and during remission.
As 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 baths. In the acute form, uroseptic, analgesic and antibacterial drugs are usually prescribed. The main task of parents in the treatment of children is the strict observance of 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, diverticulitis and other diseases. This suggests that, based on comorbidity, the treatment of chronic cystitis will be aligned.
To prevent cystitis in children and adults, it is useful to take preventive measures. Prevention of cystitis includes observing the rules of hygiene (soap water procedures every day), wearing clean linen, strengthening immunity, competent and healthy food.
Medicines for cystitis
Preparations for cystitis in women, men and children include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and general tonic. Selected drugs for cystitis with active ingredients: fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, furazidin. Alternative antibacterial therapy for cystitis with active ingredients: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, levofloxacin hemihydrate. The first three drugs have been used to treat cystitis for many years and still have not lost their importance. Let's consider in more detail the features of remedies for cystitis.
Broad spectrum antimicrobial. The course of therapy with these drugs varies from one week to 10 days. It is recommended to be consumed after meals. These cystitis remedies are suitable for first aid for irritations. Disadvantages of drugs include a large number of side effects.
The ideal antibiotic for cystitis with fosfomycin, so to speak. It is available in the form of tablets and powder for dissolving in water. This modern tool has a minimal list of side effects, which is a definite plus when choosing a drug. The drug has a fast absorption and point of action directed at the bacteria that cause the development of cystitis. Only one tablet from cystitis allows you to achieve a successful therapeutic effect. This is hard to believe, but it has been proven that a single dose of an antibiotic helps 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 be taken before bed, after urination. The effect of the antibiotic lasts for 3 days.
In the treatment of cystitis, herbal remedies have also shown effectiveness, which can be used together with antibiotics to increase the effectiveness of the treatment and after an acute episode for a long time to prevent the development of another irritation. For these purposes, a 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 have shown that the result of herbal medicine is observed in 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 respect the doses. The dosage of herbal preparations varies depending on the age of the patient. So, 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 collecting herbs for cystitis, which you can cook yourself at home.
Prevention of cystitis in women
In half of the cases, cystitis in women recurs. To prevent disease attacks and their return, it is enough to follow a number of simple recommendations:
- Pay more attention to personal hygiene. Girls from a young age should be taught to keep their genitals especially clean, wash daily and change their underwear.
- When choosing underwear, women should pay attention to their makeup. You can not wear products made of synthetic fabrics and inappropriate in size.
- Drink plenty of pure 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 seasonal clothes, do not wear short skirts and thin tights during the cold season.
- Do not tolerate the urge to urinate.
Many women do not consider cystitis 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 accompanying pathologies.