Cystitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases in the field of urology. This is the number 1 urological condition that almost every woman faces at least once in her life. It is an inflammatory pathology of the bladder that occurs as a result of the penetration of pathogenic microflora into the bladder. This causes bacteria to multiply in the bladder, leading to a number of characteristic symptoms. In rare cases, the disease occurs due to allergic or toxic effects.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. You should always consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Most often, cystitis occurs in women associated with structural features of the urinary system. According to statistics, more than 30 million cases of the disease are detected in our country every year. In addition, more than half of the annual visits to the urologist are associated with cystitis in an acute or chronic form.
Treatment of cystitis is aimed at eliminating the existing symptoms and normalizing the functioning of the entire genitourinary system. In the article we will talk about the main causes of pathology, signs of its development, features of therapy and prevention.
types of cystitis
Depending on the features of development and course, several types of the disease are distinguished. Depending on the pathogenesis (that is, the mechanism of development), cystitis of the following type is distinguished:
- Primary (uncomplicated). It occurs as a separate independent pathology and, as a rule, occurs in relatively healthy patients who do not have urinary outflow disorders.
- Secondary (complicated). It can be the consequence of a violation of the outflow of urine with a number of concomitant diseases: for example, urolithiasis or tumor formations in the pelvic organs.
Depending on the etiology (causes of origin), the following bladder infections can be distinguished:
- Contagious. It becomes the result of bacterial action on the tissues of the organ.
- Poisonous. It occurs as a result of the adverse effects of toxins, drugs, as well as due to radiation or chemotherapy.
- Allergic. Becomes a result of exposure to various allergens.
A separate classification of the disease is carried out taking into account morphological changes:
- Catarrhal cystitis. It is characterized by damage to the upper layers of the bladder mucosa. With it, swelling and hyperemia appear (a state of increased blood filling of the organ).
- hemorrhagic. It leads to inflammation of the vessels, which causes blood to leak into the urine.
- Ulcerative fibrous. It is characterized by the spread of the inflammatory process to the muscle tissue of the organ.
- Gangrenous. Associated with the development of necrotic changes in the walls of the bladder.
- space. The inflammatory process extends to the mucous membrane of the organ, the submucosa and the muscular layer.
A separate form of cystitis is often referred to as the postcoital variant ("honeymoon cystitis"). This variant of the disease occurs after defloration. This is due to the entry of vaginal mucus into the urethra.
Also according to the stages of the course, acute and chronic (recurrent) cystitis are distinguished. The acute form is characterized by an uncomplicated course and lively symptoms. If the disease has become chronic, then the patient's characteristic symptoms appear only during periods of exacerbation.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. You should always consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
symptoms of the disease
Signs of cystitis can be very diverse and often depend on the form of the pathology. If we talk about the general symptomatic picture, the most common are:
- Frequent urge to urinate (usually urinating about 6-10 times a day).
- Discomfort in the bladder area, feeling of fullness.
- pain in the lower abdomen.
- Burning and cutting when urinating.
- Change in urine color, presence of impurities (blood or mucus).
There are also general symptoms of intoxication. A woman may experience chills, weakness, fatigue, fever and profuse sweating. In severe cases, urinary incontinence occurs due to damage to the muscular layer of the bladder.
Cystitis can become a manifestation of any urological disease, so the clinical picture largely depends on the type of underlying pathology. In addition, the symptoms of the disease can include signs of inflammatory diseases of the organs of the reproductive system. Unfortunately, this combination is very common in women.
Causes of cystitis
The pathology is one of the polyetiological (that is, multicausal), therefore several factors contribute to its development. The main cause of occurrence is the entry of various microorganisms into the bladder. In almost 90% of cases, it is E. coli, which lives in the rectum and is close to the urinary organs. The inflammatory process is also caused by other bacteria and microorganisms: candida fungi, chlamydia, herpes virus, etc.
Pathological organisms can enter the urinary system in a number of ways. There are the following possibilities of penetration:
- Ascending. It occurs most often, pathogenic microflora penetrates through the urethra into the bladder.
- descending. In this case, microorganisms penetrate from the kidneys (for example, with pyelonephritis).
- lymphogen. Associated with the flow of lymph, through which organisms from other organs of the small pelvis enter the bladder when there is inflammation in them.
- hematogen. Infection occurs from distant foci of inflammation due to blood flow.
There are several reasons why bladder infections are more common in women than in men. These include the following:
- The special structure of the reproductive system, which contributes to the spread of bacteria and infections in the urinary system.
- A short urethra located near the anus (a place where various bacteria accumulate).
- Frequent hormonal fluctuations that can weaken the body's immunity.
risk factors
There are factors that increase the risk of cystitis. These include:
- Hypothermia of the pelvic organs.
- Decreased immunity.
- Constant overwork, frequent stress.
- Violation of the rules of intimate hygiene.
- tendency to constipation.
- Abuse of hot and spicy foods.
- Stagnation in the pelvic organs.
- Chronic pathologies of the genitourinary system.
- alcohol abuse.
- Congenital pathologies of the urinary organs.
Another factor in the development of such an infection is pregnancy. According to statistics, every 10th pregnant girl suffers from symptoms of cystitis. This condition leads to a decrease in general immunity, a change in the level of hormones, an increase in the size of the uterus and a deterioration in the blood supply to the bladder.
Also, the disease is often diagnosed in menopausal patients. Between the ages of 50 and 55, estrogen levels drop, which often leads to a weakening of the bladder lining.
Acute or chronic cystitis manifests itself in many patients during menstruation. This is due to bacteria getting into the urethra along with the menstrual blood. The following factors can provoke such a condition during menstruation:
- Thrush or other contagious pathologies.
- Inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs.
- Decreased general immunity.
- Sexually Transmitted Infections.
- Allergic reaction to pads or tampons.
- Non-compliance with hygiene rules.
Features of the treatment
The diagnosis of "cystitis" is made based on the patient's complaints and an examination by a urologist or gynecologist, some tests and instrumental examinations are also mandatory.
The doctor prescribes the woman:
- general urinalysis;
- clinical blood test;
- Urine culture, bacteriological examination (if complicated cystitis is suspected).
With a recurrent course of the disease, a smear and seeding of vaginal discharge, an analysis for antibodies to the herpes virus, swabs from the urethra and cervical canal can be prescribed. These procedures help identify factors that provoke relapses.
Instrumental techniques are also important in the diagnosis of pathologies. Among them:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and bladder.
- MRI of the genitourinary system.
- Cystoscopy with biopsy (if the course is complicated or recurrent).
Such diagnostic procedures allow you to determine the presence of a pathology and the causes of its occurrence. Based on the data obtained, a specialist can draw up a treatment regimen for cystitis. The therapy is based on an integrated approach that aims to:
- Conducting antibacterial and symptomatic therapy, eliminating existing symptoms.
- prevention of possible complications.
- Prevention of recurrence of pathology.
Antibacterial and symptomatic therapy includes taking various drugs. These can be painkillers, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drugs, antispasmodics, etc. The purpose of their administration is to relieve symptoms and eliminate the existing inflammatory process. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe immunomodulators or multivitamin complexes. Bacteriophage-based preparations are often used for recurrent cystitis.
In addition, there is the possibility of prescribing various physiotherapeutic methods. Among them:
- electrophoresis. Helps relieve inflammation and reduce spasms.
- magnetotherapy. Eliminates bacteria and viruses in the inflamed organ.
- induction therapy. Contributes to the normalization of blood flow, normalizes the urinary system.
Also, the patient is recommended to follow some rules:
- Exclude spicy, hot and salty foods, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and sweets from the diet.
- Refuse sexual intercourse for the duration of treatment.
- Drink enough water (acidic fruit drinks and urological fees are also recommended).
- Refuse physical activity (including swimming in pools and ponds).
Important!Methods of traditional medicine do not have proven effectiveness, so they can only be used in combination with medication. You can not use folk remedies on your own - be sure to consult your doctor!
With a few exceptions, treatment is on an outpatient basis. Sometimes hospitalization of the patient is required, indications for this may be:
- Severe course of the disease.
- The presence of severe concomitant diseases (eg, diabetes mellitus).
- The occurrence of complications.
- Decompensated heart failure.
- Ineffectiveness of ongoing antibiotic therapy.
Symptoms and treatment of acute cystitis
The acute form develops rapidly against the background of the relative state of health of the patient. The main symptom is frequent urination. Symptoms such as severe pain, burning when urinating, symptoms of poisoning and fever are also characteristic of acute cystitis in women.
There is a rapid increase in symptoms and an increase in the number of urinations during the first day. The intervals between urination can be shortened to 5-15 minutes. At the same time, shoots appear both during the day and at night.
The condition can be accompanied by the appearance of blood in the urine and purulent discharge. The acute form of the pathology lasts on average up to 7-10 days, without proper treatment, the disease becomes chronic with periods of exacerbation.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic cystitis
This stage develops as a result of improper and / or untimely treatment of the inflammatory process. Often the pathology is the result of self-medication and uncontrolled medication.
In addition, the chronic form can be the result of other diseases of the genitourinary system. Cystitis is often diagnosed in patients with pyelonephritis, vulvovaginitis and various infections of the reproductive and urinary systems.
The danger of chronic cystitis is that it occurs without pronounced symptoms. A woman can experience exacerbations, followed by remission, during which there are no problems with urination. However, with exacerbations, symptoms similar to those of the acute form appear. There is frequent urination with aches and pains, blood or purulent discharge often appears in the urine.
When treating chronic cystitis, it is important to eliminate the factors that constantly cause recurrences. For example, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed during menopause and hormonal disorders. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct congenital defects in the urinary system.
Possible complications
The key to successfully treating a bladder infection is a timely visit to the doctor. As a rule, therapy in such cases lasts no more than 10-12 days. However, in the absence of medical care and non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations, the patient may experience a chronic form of the disease. In this case, complications are not excluded, including:
- pyelonephritis;
- paracystitis;
- Abscess;
- urinary incontinence;
- Violation of the reproductive function of the body.
In patients with frequently recurrent cystitis (more than 3 exacerbations per year), preventive therapy is recommended to prevent possible complications. It involves taking small doses of antibiotics, but such treatment is carried out only as directed by a doctor.
disease prevention
In most cases, simple preventive measures help to avoid the development of a bladder infection. Including, it is necessary:
- Proper hygiene of the external genital organs.
- Observe hygiene during sexual activity.
- Drink enough clean water every day.
- Eliminate provoking factors (stress, hypothermia, a large amount of hot and spicy food).
- See a doctor in a timely manner and do not self-medicate diseases of the pelvic organs.
It is also important to remember that during a bladder infection it is forbidden to visit a bath / sauna or somehow overheat the body (including using heating pads in the lower abdomen). In the presence of a bacterial form of the disease, the reproduction of pathogenic microflora can be provoked. And this increases the risk of developing an abscess. If the disease is of a different nature, then heating the tissues will accelerate blood microcirculation. This can cause blood to leak into the urine and increase pain.
Regular emptying of the bladder and bowels is important to prevent cystitis. Also, a woman is recommended to lead an active lifestyle and include physical activity in everyday life. This will remove congestion in the pelvic organs and normalize the process of urination.
Cystitis is an extremely unpleasant condition because it progresses quickly and can affect the quality of life. However, the correct and rational approach to treatment will allow you to quickly get rid of all the symptoms of the disease and avoid various complications. The most important thing in this case is not to self-medicate and not delay contact with a doctor.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. You should always consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.