Although trips to the toilet are becoming more frequent, they are becoming less and less productive: only a small amount of urine can be expressed, sometimes mixed with blood.Pain occurs during and after urination.Sometimes there is stabbing pain above the pubic bone.All of these are symptoms of cystitis, a disease that most often affects women.And although a bladder infection is not a life-threatening condition, it can definitely ruin several days.
The purpose of this article is to tell you how to treat cystitis at home and how to fight this disease as quickly as possible.
What is cystitis?
Cysitis is an infectious disease.But their pathogens live in our own bodies.In 85-95% of cases, E. coli, a common intestinal resident, is the cause of urinary tract infections.Another typical pathogen is Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a representative of the skin microflora.And they enter the bladder via an ascending route: from the skin or from the rectum through the urethra.
How can you prevent a bladder infection?
It is the anatomical features (larger bladder volume and short urethra) that determine the prevalence of cystitis in women.
It's clear why women suffer from bladder infections more often - it's a question of anatomy.The urethra in women is much shorter than in men and the bladder is larger, which means it can be emptied less often.But a stream of urine quite effectively washes away microorganisms that have penetrated the urinary canal.Therefore, the first rule for women: if you don't want to get a cystitis, go to the toilet every 3-4 hours.
Another common cause of cystitis is microtrauma to the female urethra during sexual intercourse.The so-called defloration cystitis often spoils the honeymoon.Tip for loving men: Don't forget about intimate hygiene.Tip for smart women: Emptying your bladder before and after sex significantly reduces the risk of infection.
When should you see a doctor?
Not a single woman is immune from isolated cases of cystitis.However, if the dysuria reoccurs, a comprehensive examination is worthwhile.
Pregnancy is a particularly dangerous time.The function of the immune system and hormone levels change, the growing uterus displaces the bladder, which disrupts the flow of urine and leads to infection.Meanwhile, bacteriuria increases the risk of premature birth twofold - so a bladder infection during this period is by no means harmless.
If a man experiences symptoms of the disease, you should definitely consult a specialist immediately;Cystitis in men is almost always secondary.And the root cause may be prostate disease, diabetes or urolithiasis.In addition, with non-gonococcal urethritis (their likely causative agents are chlamydia, mycoplasma, trichomonas) and bladder tuberculosis, symptoms similar to cystitis may occur.
The doctor will carry out urine and blood tests, microflora cultures, probably refer you for an ultrasound scan of the bladder, possibly a cystoscopy, and take swabs from the urethra.If the examination shows that the cystitis is uncomplicated, it is likely that you can manage the symptoms yourself.
What to do if you have a bladder infection?
- It is very advisable to stay in bed during an exacerbation, under a warm blanket, with a heating pad in the lower abdomen (if blood is not excreted in the urine, we skip the heating pad).
- Drink as much as possible.Tea – only with milk, coffee and beer are excluded.Cranberry, lingonberry and blueberry fruit drinks are very welcome (the proantyanides they contain prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall), a decoction of oats, bearberry, birch buds is good and nettle for blood formation.Herbal medicine is most effective in the form of preparations;The pharmacy always offers ready-made medications.
- The diet involves the exclusion of spices, canned foods and marinades, but dairy products, fruits (especially watermelon) and vegetables are beneficial.
- If you suffer from cystitis, you should not go to the bathhouse or sauna, but washing with warm water and special intimate hygiene products will help relieve discomfort after urination.
- You can use suppositories with papaverine - this often relieves the pain.
But in any case, antibacterial drugs are necessary to treat the infection.
If cystitis recurs, the patient is elderly or suffers from diabetes mellitus, treatment with uroseptics should last longer - at least a week.
Attention!Pregnant women are only prescribed antibiotics by a doctor after an examination - this is safer for the woman and child.
What should you pay attention to?
If left untreated, an infection can spread from the bladder through the ureters to the kidneys, causing pyelonephritis.
If frequent and painful urination is accompanied by lower back pain and fever, it is possible that the infection has spread to the kidneys and a doctor cannot be dispensed with here.
Which doctor should I contact?
At the first episode of cystitis, you can consult a therapist.If the disease is recurrent or chronic, you should consult a urologist and definitely undergo a cystoscopy.