Acute, painful sensations in the lower abdomen, urge to urinate - cystitis gives unpleasant symptoms, the first signs of the disease in women are exactly like this.This is an inflammatory process that occurs on the inner walls of the bladder.The causes and conditions for the development of the disease in women coincide much more often than in men.
What is cystitis
The bladder is a muscular organ located in the pelvic cavity, its upper part, which collects urine before exiting through the urethra.This is how the terminal section of the urinary system is arranged in the male and female body.The bladder cavity gradually fills through two ureters, which are conductive pathways for filtered fluid from the kidneys.When the organ is filled to more than half its volume, the person feels the need to urinate.This is an unconditional reflex.
The internal environment of the urinary system is sterile, just like the urine that is excreted in a healthy person.Ingestion of infectious agents capable of multiplying in these conditions, as well as chemical irritants and allergens leads to the development of cystitis, the first symptoms of which will immediately indicate disorders in the described chain.
Inflammatory, allergic and chemical irritation in the bladder can be caused by various reasons.The ways in which irritants penetrate inside also vary.
For women, the so-called ascending route is more typical, that is, the pathogen enters the cavity by ascending from the external urethra.
The same type of cystitis can be found in a small child, especially in a newborn, for whom there is no adequate home care, or there is pathology of the postpartum period, organic disorders.
Causes of onset in women
It is necessary to clearly understand the difference between the causes and conditions that gave rise to the signs of cystitis in women.The causes are infectious agents and non-infectious factors.The first group includes:
- opportunistic microorganisms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases.
Opportunistic microbes are so called because they display their virulent properties when exposed to suitable conditions.Usually, the causative agents of diseases of this type are representatives of the normal biocenosis of the vagina or intestinal microflora.They are constantly present on the skin of the genital organs and act as a protective barrier.As soon as the girl becomes hypothermic and is treated with antibiotics, which suppress not only the pathogenic flora, but also the normal one, the number of representatives of the microbiocenosis grows rapidly.When they reach a critical mass, they cease to perform a barrier function, changing the pH value of the mucous membranes and themselves become the cause of the development of inflammation.
Furthermore, multiplying, microbes spread to areas unusual for them, for example, the urethra, bladder.Pathogens become a source of inflammatory reactions during the stay of patients in a hospital of any profile, but most often infection can be contracted in maternity hospitals and obstetrics and gynecology departments.It is in them that the microorganisms that cause nosocomial infections circulate.
These pathogens differ from common ones in that during the process of repeated passage through weakened organisms they acquire new characteristics, for example:
- salmonella, which spreads via airborne droplets;
- resistance to a large number of antibiotics;
- immunity to broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs;
- the ability to use substances unusual for this species as a nutritional substrate.
The clinical course of cystitis caused by pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms that have acquired new properties during development is characterized by painful manifestations.It is more difficult to fight such cystitis, since the range of antibacterial drugs is reduced.
Sexually transmitted diseases cannot occur in isolation from the urinary organs due to the peculiarities of their anatomical structure.The most common of these are gonorrhea, trichomonas urethritis and cystitis.Through the urethra, which in women is wider and shorter than in men, the bacteria enter the bladder cavity and begin to multiply there.
The causes of non-infectious origin are divided into chemical and allergic factors.Chemical irritants can enter through the blood, filtered by the kidneys.They can be medicinal substances, harmful agents of an industrial nature, food components.
Allergic agents are evidence of profound suppression of the immune system, which reacts with hypersensitivity to common substances.
Additional conditions that contribute to the development of inflammation are factors such as: hypothermia, use of synthetic underwear, neglect of personal hygiene rules, acute and chronic gynecological diseases, childbirth, consumption of irritating foods, pregnancy.
First signs
The first signs of cystitis in women already require treatment by a specialist and the patient's maximum attention to his body.You can suspect the development of inflammation in the bladder by detecting a primary syndrome:
- constant itching in the external genital area;
- the appearance of discharge from the urethra;
- aching, nagging pain after urination;
- pain along the urethra;
- increased urge to go to the bathroom;
- color changes, clarity of urine, appearance of visible sediment.
If due attention is not given and the disease is not treated, the first symptoms gradually worsen and the acute disease becomes chronic.
Progressive pathology
The anamnesis of a patient with chronic cystitis can become quite voluminous if therapy is ignored or additional rules are not followed.Acute symptoms quickly lose their manifest character and regress, no longer causing significant discomfort.
But there are a number of signs of progression of inflammation:
- the addition of a secondary kidney infection;
- attacks of exacerbation of the infection are accompanied by fever;
- general conditions worsen;
- the amount of urine excreted is small;
- urine has a strong odor, is cloudy, and may be mixed with pus or blood.
Chronic cystitis does not occur in isolation;it is complicated by inflammatory processes in the kidneys and gynecological pathologies.
The body's resistance gradually decreases, infections of other organs cause exacerbations of cystitis and pass with an increase in body temperature, symptoms of general intoxication, severe weakness and malaise.
The need to urinate is frequent, but the amount of fluid released is reduced.This is because it irritates the bladder receptors too much due to the altered pH balance and pathological impurities.
Urine excretion is painful, spasmodic pain does not allow rest even at night.
The suprapubic region is tense, palpation of the abdominal muscles in the lower abdomen is difficult.
Urine has an unpleasant, unusually pungent odor.Observing it, you notice sediments falling to the bottom.
Classic signs of acute and chronic cystitis
An acute process occurs for the first time after contact with an infectious agent, chemical irritant or allergen.The symptoms appear clearly and evidently: acute pain during urination, uncomfortable emptying of the bladder, pain in the lower abdomen, itching and burning at the exit of the urethra.There may be a short-term increase in temperature, nausea or weakness, loss of appetite, and there may be an association with worsening of symptoms after ingestion of irritating foods or drinks.
The chronic pathology is characterized by the cancellation of symptoms, the presence of constant discomfort in the suprapubic region and annoying pain.In the remission phase, the patient feels quite healthy.Exacerbation occurs after hypothermia, consumption of irritating foods or drinks, or repeated contact with an allergen.
Types of cystitis in women
Bladder inflammation is classified according to various criteria.
The main types of cystitis include the following:
- by the nature of the process: acute or chronic;
- due to onset: bacterial, chemical or allergic;
- by associated factors: postpartum, secondary, postoperative.
Postoperative cystitis occurs after an abortion, cesarean section, and urine is released through a catheter.It is this medical instrument that can become a source of infection.
Characteristics of postpartum cystitis
The postpartum period requires a lot of attention and monitoring of the woman after giving birth, especially at home.Compliance with the rules of careful hygienic care and a frequent urination regime will help to avoid possible complications in the postpartum period and the addition of urinary tract infections.
Postpartum cystitis manifests itself in the same way as all others, but its treatment is difficult because not all drugs can be taken by a breastfeeding woman.In addition, this period is characterized by the presence of damage to the external genitalia, which makes it difficult to urinate and use the usual toilet.
Severe forms of the disease rarely develop, since the treatment of cystitis does not cause significant difficulties.But very often we are dealing with a chronic form that is difficult to correct with drugs if the causative agent is a multidrug-resistant microorganism.
Diagnostics
It usually does not cause difficulties after a thorough history, urine test and examination of the patient.The results of the analysis reveal deviations from the norm: reduced specific gravity, altered pH level, presence of pathological impurities in the blood, leukocytes, sediment, urate and oxalate crystals.
If necessary, an ultrasound examination and an X-ray image are prescribed to clarify the etiology of the disease.
Treatment
It is imperative to treat acute or chronic cystitis comprehensively.The simultaneous use of several therapeutic methods contributes to the speedy recovery of the patient.
The main therapeutic agents are:
- antimicrobial tablets;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- analgesics and antispasmodics;
- physiotherapy (in remission);
- diet;
- traditional methods.
Medicines for the treatment of cystitis are prescribed by a specialist.Anti-inflammatory drugs are preferably prescribed from the group of non-steroidal drugs;they have antispasmodic and analgesic activity.
The diet involves the exclusion from the diet of acidic, pickled and spicy foods that have an irritating effect.In this case it is necessary to drink at least two liters of liquids a day to sanitize the bladder.
Popular recipes
Alternative medicine has gained extensive experience in the treatment of urological infections.The recipes have many positive reviews, which confirms the effectiveness of the methods.But they can only be used in combination with drug treatment.
Good results are obtained by ingesting decoctions of parsley root, chamomile and lingonberry leaf tincture.Drinking cranberry juice has an excellent sanitizing effect.The healing qualities of "bear ears" and cranberries have long been known.You can prepare the following composition and take it three times a day after meals:
- take dried herbs of rosemary, lovage, centaury and rose hips in equal proportions;
- pour boiling water for 30 minutes;
- boil in a bain-marie for 20 minutes;
- leave to act for 30 minutes;
- filter and drink as above.
It is contraindicated to drink alcohol, strong drinks or smoke during treatment.
Prevention
Measures to prevent cystitis are simple but effective.It is necessary to carefully follow the rules of care, sexual culture, frequently change hygiene products and underwear, avoid hypothermia and the consumption of irritating foods and drinks.