One of the unpleasant diseases that have become widespread in the modern world is inflammation of the bladder, or cystitis. This disease can be independent, or it can be a complication of other pathologies. Cystitis is a disease of the urinary tract, which consists of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the urinary bladder. It occurs in men, women and children. The female sex 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 suitable for the infection to enter the body. Many people consider cystitis to be a woman's disease. The question here is: do men have cystitis? Answer: Of course, it happens, just 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 urinary bladder is Escherichia coli, but chlamydia, ureaplasma and Candida fungi are also dangerous. The occurrence of cystitis is facilitated by a sedentary lifestyle that causes circulatory disorders of the pelvic organs and bladder, reduced immunity, metabolic disorders, menopause, consumption of spicy food and diabetes mellitus. Cystitis occurs in two forms: acute and chronic. In acute cystitis, the patient has frequent and painful urination with possible bleeding. The 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 can 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 bladder inflammation, prescribing treatment that usually includes tablets to strengthen immunity, relieve inflammation and antibiotics. Cystitis is a multispecies disease. One 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 cervical cystitis. 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 stay in bed, follow a strict diet and drink a lot of water.
Speaking about female cystitis, it is important to note that this disease tends to worsen before menstruation. Cystitis during menstruation is quite common. During that period, due to the anatomical and biological characteristics of the female organism, 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. Moreover, fungi of the genus Candida are found in the vagina, capable of causing cystitis by themselves with a decrease in immunity.
Childhood cystitis is also more common in girls than in boys. This is due to the proximity of the short, wide urinary system and the anus. Also, inflammation of the bladder in children can be caused by hypothermia, weakened immune system and hereditary factors. 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 typical for representatives of mature age. Male symptoms of this disease are identical to female symptoms. Almost always, the cause of the development of cystitis in men lies in the penetration of infection through the blood from neighboring inflamed organs.
Apart from the traditional understanding of the causes of cystitis, psychosomatic provocations are also possible. Psychosomatics of cystitis has its place, because this disease manifests itself in a period of life changes. Bladder inflammation is often seen in people who tend to suppress or suppress their emotions.
Types of cystitis
As mentioned above, acute and chronic cystitis are distinguished. Acute inflammation of the bladder means cystitis that appeared for the first time in the patient, and that did not turn into a chronic disease. If exacerbations of cystitis occur 2 or more times within 6 months or 3 or more times during the 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, cystitis from an acute form becomes chronic. The development of acute cystitis is unexpected. Symptoms of acute cystitis are more pronounced than chronic ones. Exacerbations of the disease mainly occur in the spring and autumn periods. In most cases, gram-negative enterobacteria and coagulase-negative types of staphylococci become the provocateur of the development of infectious cystitis. Cystitis is diverse in its types. Doctors distinguish the following types: hemorrhagic, interstitial, radiation, sexual, postcoital, cervical, hypercalciuric, chemical, allergic and parasitic cystitis. Let's take a closer look:
- hemorrhagic cystitis is inflammation of the bladder caused by infection. It is characterized by the excretion of urine with an unpleasant odor and bloody discharge;
- with interstitial cystitis, the inflammatory process develops due to its non-infectious nature. This type is characterized by pain when filling the bladder 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 lining of the bladder;
- due to changes in the microflora based on gender, sexual cystitis occurs. Its subtype 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 type can have urinary incontinence;
- in the case of metabolic disorders, hypercalciuric cystitis can develop, especially when the kidneys begin to secrete calcium salt crystals;
- with bladder intoxication, 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 invasions can often cause a parasitic form of cystitis
Regardless of the type of cystitis, treatment will include antibacterial drugs, possible bed rest, dry heat, herbal decoctions and sufficient fluid intake.
Symptoms of cystitis
Symptoms of cystitis in women, men and children are basically the same. As a rule, cystitis causes 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.
The symptoms of cystitis in children and the elderly are not so pronounced and can be manifested 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 a frequent urge to urinate. The urge to go to the toilet can occur during the day and at night every few minutes. Sometimes women lose control over this process, and urination occurs spontaneously.
As the inflammatory process develops, the clinical picture is complemented by the following symptoms:
- severe itching and burning in the vulva;
- suprapubic pain radiating to the lower back;
- slight increase in body temperature;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- discoloration, smell of urine.
In severe cases, cystitis attacks are accompanied by high fever, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine.
Female symptoms of cystitis are dysuria and nocturia. Such conditions are characterized by effort to urinate (the need to push), involuntary urinary incontinence, pain at the beginning and end of the urination process. With acute inflammation of the urinary bladder, there is an increase in body temperature and a weakened state of health.
The symptoms of cystitis in men are similar to those in 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 immediately diagnosed, because 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, weakness, discomfort in the lower abdomen, pain and burning usually occur, as in adults. The color of the urine becomes dark yellow. The child becomes lethargic, and the temperature reaches 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, especially Escherichia coli. Cystitis after sexual intercourse is caused by 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 a pathology of the urinary organs, when the flow of urine is disturbed and it can fall back into the urethra. 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 associated with a violation of the microflora of the vagina. Infectious and allergic types of inflammation manifest themselves most often in women. Gonorrhea can cause cystitis with no less success. 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 tract;
- weak immunity;
- pregnancy;
- surgical interventions 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 urinary bladder is a complication. In general, the causes are similar to those in 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. Cystitis is caused by diabetes mellitus, abdominal trauma, stress and surgical interventions in the genitourinary system.
Classification of cystitis in women
According to the nature of the flow, 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 longer 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, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, false urge to urinate.
Severe forms of acute inflammation are accompanied by an increase in body temperature, severe intoxication. Painful sensations are localized not only in the area of the pubic bone, but also in the perineum and genitals. There are many leukocytes, bladder mucosa cells, and 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, bladder neck sclerosis, prostate adenoma, urolithiasis. Considering the multifactorial etiology of chronic cystitis, in women, treatment is selected only after determining the cause of the development of the disease.
The disease often occurs with relapses and exacerbations. In case of 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 can be referred to the following tests:
- complete blood count - enables recognition of the inflammatory process by increasing ESR and leukocytes;
- urine analysis - in the presence of cystitis, it shows protein. The results of a microscopic examination of sediment with cystitis will show an increase in leukocytes and erythrocytes. Urine with cystitis becomes cloudy and may 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 large number of leukocytes. For this analysis, it is necessary to pour an average stream 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 allow detection of infection in the urinary tract.
During menstruation, women should not provide urine for tests, as the results may be false.
Rules for taking a urine test for cystitis
Before you start collecting morning urine, you must wash your genitals with warm water or a disinfectant solution. Before the urine analysis, you should not eat food 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 permanently? This is probably the main question that worries people who have personally encountered this disease. This is possible if the right treatment is started at the right time. How and how to treat cystitis is determined by the urologist. As a rule, the doctor chooses complex therapy. Along with drug treatment, adherence to food, bed and drinking regimens plays an important role. Let us clarify that the daily amount of water 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 food and preservatives. . Compliance with these regimens is the 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 unpleasant symptoms. During the treatment of cystitis, women will have to temporarily refuse sexual intercourse. The desired result of the therapy is the normalization of the vaginal microflora. Women are generally 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 request, 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 that are not recommended for the fetus. For the treatment of cystitis in pregnant women, painkillers and anticholinergics, drugs to relax the bladder muscles are used. Cystitis after childbirth occurs due to the constricted position of the bladder and disturbed blood circulation during childbirth, catheterization and cooling, as well as due to the postpartum weakening of the immune system. Cystitis, which appeared during breastfeeding, is safer to treat with herbal preparations, but we must remember that, like any medicine, it can only be prescribed by a doctor.
In order to eliminate pain, the frequent need to urinate, doctors prescribe antispasmodic drugs and non-steroidal 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 aggravation 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 to children can lead to serious health problems in the future. Sick children, like sick adults, need rest, diet and warm baths in a sitting position. In the acute form, uroseptic, analgesic and antibacterial drugs are usually prescribed. The main task of parents in the treatment of children is to strictly adhere to medical recommendations, especially the dosage of drugs and the duration of their use. Chronic cystitis in children is mainly a consequence of phimosis, genital infections, urethritis, diverticulum and other diseases. This suggests that, on the basis of comorbidities, the treatment of chronic cystitis will be determined.
For the prevention of cystitis in children and adults, it is useful to take preventive measures. Prevention of cystitis includes adherence to hygiene rules (soap water procedure every day), wearing clean bedding, strengthening immunity, competent and healthy diet.
Medicines for cystitis
Preparations for cystitis in women, men and children include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and general tonic. Medicines of choice for cystitis with active ingredients: fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, furazidine. Alternative antibacterial therapy of cystitis with active ingredients: ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, levofloxacin hemihydrate. The first three drugs have been used for many years to treat cystitis and still have not lost their importance. Let's consider in more detail the characteristics of drugs for cystitis.
Broad-spectrum antimicrobials. The course of therapy with these drugs ranges from one week to 10 days. It is recommended that they be consumed after meals. These cystitis drugs are suitable for first aid in case of exacerbations. 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 to dissolve in water. This modern tool has a minimal list of side effects, which is definitely a plus 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's hard to believe, but it has been proven that one dose of antibiotics helps to eliminate all the unpleasant symptoms of cystitis. But these are not all 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 urinating. The effect of antibiotics lasts for 3 days.
In the treatment of cystitis, herbal medicines have also shown their effectiveness, which together with antibiotics can be used to increase the effectiveness of treatment and after an acute episode for a long time to prevent the development of another exacerbation. For these purposes, long-term use of decoctions of various diuretic and antiseptic herbal preparations or official herbal medicines is indicated. Treatment of cystitis with medicinal herbs is successfully combined with drug therapy. Research has shown that the result of herbal medicine can be seen 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 a herbal collection for cystitis, which you can cook yourself at home.
Prevention of cystitis in women
In half of the cases of cystitis in women, recurrence occurs. To prevent disease attacks and their recurrence, it is enough to follow a series of simple recommendations:
- Pay more attention to personal hygiene. Girls should be taught from a young age to keep their genitals especially clean, to wash and change their underwear every day.
- When choosing underwear, women should pay attention to its composition. You cannot wear products made of synthetic fabrics and inappropriate sizes.
- 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 a serious disease and try to cope with the pain on their own. A particularly dangerous situation is 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.