Cystitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases in the field of urology. This is the number 1 urological disease that almost all women face at least once in their life. It is an inflammatory pathology of the bladder, which occurs due to the entry of pathogenic microflora into the bladder. As a result, the bacteria multiply within the bladder, which leads to a number of characteristic symptoms. In rare cases, the disease appears due to allergic or toxic effects.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Most often, cystitis occurs in women, which is associated with the 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 annual visits to the urologist are associated with acute or chronic inflammation of the bladder.
Treatment of cystitis is aimed at eliminating existing symptoms and normalizing the functioning of the entire genitourinary system. In the article we will talk about the main causes of pathology, the signs of its development, the features of therapy and prevention.
Types of cystitis
Depending on the features of development and course, several types of the disease are distinguished. According to the pathogenesis (that is, the mechanism of development), cystitis of the following type is distinguished:
- Primary (simple). Occurs as a separate independent pathology, as a rule, occurs in relatively healthy patients who do not have urinary outflow disorders.
- Secondary (complicated). It can be the result of a violation of the outflow of urine in a number of concomitant diseases: for example, urolithiasis or tumor formations in the pelvic organs.
Depending on the etiology (causes of development), the following types of cystitis can be distinguished:
- Infectious. It becomes the result of bacterial action on the tissues of the organ.
- Toxic. It occurs due to the adverse effects of toxins, drugs, as well as due to radiation or chemotherapy.
- Allergic. It becomes a consequence 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 occur (a state of increased blood filling of the organ).
- Hemorrhagic. It leads to inflammation of the vessels, which causes blood to enter the urine.
- Fibrous ulcerative. It is characterized by the spread of the inflammatory process to the muscle tissues of the organ.
- gangrene. Associated with the development of necrotic changes in the bladder walls.
- Interstitial. The inflammatory process extends to the mucous membrane of the organ, the submucosa and the muscular layer.
A separate form of cystitis is often called the postcoital variety ("honeymoon cystitis"). This variant of the disease occurs after defloration. This is due to the penetration of vaginal mucus into the urethra.
In addition, according to the stages of the course, acute and chronic (recurrent) cystitis is distinguished. The acute form is characterized by a simple course and has vivid symptoms. If the disease has become chronic, 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. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Symptoms of the disease
The signs of cystitis can be very diverse and often depend on the form of the pathology. If we talk about the general symptomatic picture, then the following is more common:
- Frequent urge to urinate (normally the number of urinations during the day is about 6-10 times).
- Discomfort in the bladder area, a feeling of fullness.
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Burning and cutting when urinating.
- Change the color of urine, the presence of impurities (blood or mucus).
There are also general symptoms of intoxication. A woman may experience chills, weakness, fatigue, fever, heavy sweating. In severe cases, due to damage to the muscle layer of the bladder, urinary incontinence occurs.
Cystitis can become a manifestation of any urological disease, so the clinical picture largely depends on the nature of the underlying pathology. Also, the symptoms of the disease may include signs of inflammatory diseases of the organs of the reproductive system. Unfortunately, in women, this combination is extremely common.
Causes of cystitis
Pathology is one of the polyetiological (that is, multi-causal), therefore several factors contribute to its development. The main cause of the event is the entry into the bladder of various microorganisms. In almost 90% of cases it is E. coli, which lives in the rectum and is located near the urinary organs. In addition, the inflammatory process is caused by other bacteria and microorganisms: Candida fungi, chlamydia, herpes virus, etc.
Pathological organisms can enter the urinary system in various ways. There are the following methods of penetration:
- Ascending. Occurs most often, the pathogenic microflora enters the bladder through the urethra.
- descending. In this case, microorganisms penetrate from the kidneys (for example, in the presence of pyelonephritis).
- Lymphogen. Associated with the lymphatic flow, through which organisms enter the bladder from other organs of the small pelvis, in the presence of inflammation in them.
- Hematogenic. Infection occurs from distant inflammatory foci due to blood flow.
There are several reasons why cystitis is 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, which is located near the anus (a place where various bacteria accumulate).
- Frequent hormonal fluctuations, which can weaken the body's immunity.
Risk factors
There are factors that increase the risk of developing bladder inflammation. These include:
- Hypothermia of the pelvic organs.
- Reduced immunity.
- Constant overwork, frequent stress.
- Violation of the rules of intimate hygiene.
- Tendency to constipation.
- Abuse of spicy and spicy foods.
- Stagnation in the pelvic organs.
- Chronic pathologies of the genitourinary system.
- Alcohol abuse.
- Congenital pathologies of the urinary organs.
Another factor for the development of such an infection is pregnancy. According to statistics, every tenth pregnant girl has symptoms of bladder inflammation. This condition leads to a decrease in general immunity, a change in hormone levels, an increase in the size of the uterus and a deterioration in the blood supply to the bladder.
In addition, the disease is often diagnosed in menopausal patients. Beyond the age of 50-55, estrogen levels drop, which often leads to a weakening of the bladder lining.
In many patients, acute or chronic cystitis occurs during menstruation. This is due to bacteria entering the urethra along with menstrual blood. The following factors can provoke such a condition during menstruation:
- Thrush or other infectious diseases.
- Inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs.
- Decreased general immunity.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
- Allergic reaction to sanitary napkins or tampons.
- Failure to comply with hygiene rules.
Characteristics of the treatment
The diagnosis of "cystitis" is made on the basis of the patient's complaints and an examination by a urologist or gynecologist, and some examinations and instrumental examinations are also mandatory.
The doctor prescribes to the woman:
- general urine analysis;
- clinical blood test;
- urine culture, bacteriological examination (if complicated cystitis is suspected).
With a recurrent course of the disease, a smear and sowing of vaginal discharge, an analysis for antibodies to the herpes virus, scrapings from the urethra and cervical canal can be prescribed. These procedures help identify the factors that cause relapses.
Instrumental techniques are also important in diagnosing the pathology. Between them:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and bladder.
- MRI of the genitourinary system.
- Cystoscopy with biopsy (with complicated or recurrent course).
Such diagnostic procedures allow you to determine the presence of 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, aimed at achieving the following objectives:
- Carrying out antibacterial and symptomatic therapy, elimination of existing symptoms.
- Prevention of possible complications.
- Prevention of disease recurrence.
Antibacterial and symptomatic therapy includes the intake of various drugs. These can be pain relievers, antibacterials, anti-inflammatories, antispasmodics, etc. The purpose of their administration is to relieve symptoms and eliminate the existing inflammatory process. Also, the doctor may prescribe immunomodulators or multivitamin complexes. If cystitis is recurrent, bacteriophage preparations are often used.
In addition, various physiotherapeutic methods can be prescribed. Between them:
- Electrophoresis. Helps relieve inflammation and reduces cramps.
- Magnetotherapy. Eliminates bacteria and viruses in the inflamed organ.
- Inductotherapy. Contributes to the normalization of blood flow, normalizes the urinary system.
In addition, the patient is recommended to follow several rules:
- Exclude from the diet spicy, spicy and salty foods, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol and sweets.
- Refuse sexual intercourse for the treatment period.
- Drink enough water (acid fruit drinks and urological expenses are also recommended).
- Refuse physical activity (including swimming in pools and ponds).
Important!The methods of traditional medicine have not proved effective, therefore they can only be used in conjunction with drugs. You can not use folk remedies on your own - be sure to consult with your doctor!
Treatment takes place on an outpatient basis, with some exceptions. Sometimes hospitalization of the patient is required, the indications for this can be:
- Severe course of the disease.
- The presence of severe concomitant diseases (for example, 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 health of the patient. The main symptom is frequent urination. Also for acute cystitis in women, symptoms such as severe pain, burning when urinating, symptoms of intoxication and fever are characteristic.
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 reduced to 5-15 minutes. At the same time, the pulses occur both day and night.
The condition may be accompanied by the appearance of blood in the urine and purulent discharge. The acute form of pathology lasts on average up to 7-10 days, without the lack of adequate treatment, the disease becomes chronic with stages of exacerbation.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic cystitis
This stage develops as a result of incorrect and / or premature 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, during exacerbations, symptoms similar to the acute form appear. There is frequent urination with pain and pain, often blood or purulent discharge appears in the urine.
In the treatment of chronic cystitis, it is important to eliminate the factors that constantly cause relapses. For example, hormone replacement therapy is prescribed during menopause and in the presence of hormonal disorders. In some cases, surgery may be required to correct birth defects in the urinary system.
Possible complications
The key to effective cystitis treatment is a timely visit to the doctor. As a rule, in such cases, therapy takes no more than 10-12 days. However, in the absence of medical treatment and in case of non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations, the patient can manifest 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.
Preventive therapy is recommended for patients with recurrent cystitis (more than 3 exacerbations per year) to prevent possible complications. It involves taking small doses of antibiotics, but such treatment is done only as directed by a doctor.
Disease prevention
In most cases, simple preventive measures help avoid the development of cystitis. Including, it is necessary:
- Proper hygiene of the external genital organs.
- Observe hygiene during sexual activity.
- Drink enough clean water every day.
- Eliminate all provoking factors (stress, hypothermia, a large amount of hot and spicy foods).
- Consult a doctor in a timely manner and do not cure diseases of the pelvic organs yourself.
It is also important to remember that during cystitis it is forbidden to visit a bath / sauna or in any way overheat the body (including the use of 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 the heating of the tissues will accelerate blood microcirculation. This can cause blood to enter the urine and increase pain.
Regular emptying of the bladder and bowel is important in the prevention of cystitis. In addition, a woman is recommended to lead an active lifestyle, include physical activity in the daily routine. This will eliminate congestion in the pelvic organs and normalize the urination process.
Cystitis is an extremely unpleasant disease, as it has a rapid course and can affect the quality of life. However, the correct and rational approach to treatment allows 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 to delay contact with a doctor.
Important!
The information in this article should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should always consult a doctor.