Cystitis in women

What is cystitis in women?- one of the most common urological diseases is cystitis.It is an inflammation of the bladder wall, most often occurs in the fairer sex - in 80% of cases.According to statistics, the prevalence of this disease among the female population in one calendar year is up to 36 million cases.For men, this figure is several times lower.

Almost every woman has experienced unpleasant disease symptoms at least once in her life.This is explained by the structural features of the urinary system.The urethra, which has a larger diameter and shorter length than men, and the proximity of the vagina and anus allow pathogens to quickly penetrate the bladder cavity.Cystitis that appears in women aged 16 to 65 years and is not accompanied by other pathologies of the urinary system is called uncomplicated.Treatment was successfully carried out as an outpatient (at home).

Causes of cystitis in women

Basically, the nature of the disease is contagious.There are several pathogens, but the main one is E. coli.Sometimes cystitis develops against the background of other diseases related to urology and gynecology.Factors that can trigger inflammation:

• Body hypothermia.Risk groups include girls and women who prefer to wear clothes that do not suit the weather, for example, too thin tights, short skirts in winter.
• Neglect of genital hygiene.Often this is what causes cystitis in girls.
• Neurogenic bladder is a problem that occurs not only in children, but also in adults.Related to the problem of involuntary urination.Due to the increased sensitivity of the bladder receptors, girls are more often diagnosed with this condition than boys.The result is organ malnutrition, which leads to the rapid development of pathogenic microflora that causes inflammation.
• Hormonal changes that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy, metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus trigger the occurrence of cystitis.
• Wearing clothes that are too tight, narrow and uncomfortable leads to disruption of blood supply to the organs of the urinary system.
• Radiation therapy for tumors in the pelvis can cause inflammation.
• Estrogen deficiency, changes in the mucous membrane during menopause.
• Injury to the bladder wall during various endoscopic procedures.
• In girls, the manifestation of cystitis occurs during the first sexual intercourse.The reason is an injury to the wall of the bladder, the entry of microflora from the vagina into the urethra.Therefore, an active and energetic sex life, when there is also a high risk of infection, also contributes to the occurrence of this disease.

Under the influence of these factors, pathogenic microflora develops, which leads to inflammation and the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

Clinical picture of cystitis

The disease in women manifests itself suddenly, in a short time after the action of the provoking factor (hypothermia, infection, injury).

The first and main symptom is usually pollakiuria - frequent urination.It is observed as a result of increased tone of the bladder wall caused by inflammation.

The desire to visit the toilet occurs up to several dozen times a day, every 15-20 minutes.The volume of each portion of urine becomes less and less.Some patients, on the contrary, experience urinary retention (as a result of sphincter spasm) or incontinence (if the cervix of the organ is affected).

The woman felt severe pain in the lower abdomen, moving to the perineum.The greatest discomfort is felt when emptying the bladder.It occurs painfully, with pain and a burning sensation.Unpleasant sensations may occur at the beginning and at the end of the urination process.

One of the persistent symptoms is leukocyturia.The color of the urine changes, it becomes cloudy, alternating with pus and blood.With obvious hematuria, they talk about a form of hemorrhagic cystitis.

The general health of the woman deteriorates, weakness and lethargy appear, and the temperature may rise to 38°C.

Classification of cystitis

In the field of medicine, it is customary to distinguish between types of diseases depending on the course, the cause of formation, the stage of development, morphological changes, and the prevalence of the inflammatory process.The generally accepted classification distinguishes the following types of cystitis in women:

• Bloody.The cause of pathology is the activity of viruses, bacteria, fungi.Urine contains blood, depending on the amount of blood, the color varies from pink to brown.If there is no treatment, iron deficiency anemia may develop, and then a general infection of the body due to blockage of the passage with blood clots.
• Interstitial.The inflammation is not contagious and occurs more often in young women.The reason is the lack of glycosaminoglycans, which cause inflammation.Characterized by severe cutting pains and frequent urges, especially at night.With a strong sexual life, this disease can develop.
• Radiation cystitis.Occurs after radiation is used in tumor treatment.This procedure affects the sensitivity of the bladder, causing wall deformation and organ dysfunction.
• Catarrhal cystitis.In addition to blood, stones, sand, and increased calcium salt content are found in urine.Decreased bladder capacity.
• encrustedThe affected mucosa is covered with saline and fibrin.Drug therapy is not always effective.The best results in treatment are achieved with surgical intervention.
• Cervical cystitis.Named according to the location - inflammation is formed in the neck of the bladder.The peculiarity lies in the damage to the mucous membrane, as well as the sphincter that controls urination.A woman often feels false pressure, pain in the perineum and lower abdomen.Laboratory analysis of urine reveals a high content of pathogenic microorganisms in it.

The type of disease can be determined only after a complete examination.

Acute and chronic cystitis

Existing differences in the course of the disease make it possible to distinguish its different forms.

Acute cystitis

It develops rapidly and is characterized by clear symptoms - dysuria (urinary disturbances), leukocyturia and terminal hematuria.The woman experiences frequent urges that cause discomfort with severe painful sensations.Disruption is screened after 5-10 minutes causing the urge to visit the toilet, the portion of urine excreted is small.

Chronic cystitis

The symptoms are similar to the acute form.The severity of the disease occurs once or repeatedly throughout the year.Expressed in the form of frequent and painful urination, severe pain in the genital area.The characteristics of chronic cystitis> are:

• nocturia - the urge to urinate at night;
• dysuria is a constant urge to empty the bladder.

In the remission stage, symptoms are weak, invisible or completely absent.

Diagnostics

Detecting cystitis in the early stages allows you to start treatment in time, to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and the occurrence of other complications.Laboratory and instrumental studies help establish an accurate diagnosis.It includes: general urine test, bacteriological culture, vaginal smear.If necessary, ultrasound, cystoscopy, and cystography are prescribed.

The main and mandatory research method is urine analysis.With its help, the degree of the inflammatory process and the type of disease-causing agent are determined.A general analysis allows you to determine how high the number of leukocytes and red blood cells is.This composition contains uric acid salts, mucus, and bacteriuria.If there is inflammation, the urine appears cloudy and may have a reddish color.

It is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis based on laboratory methods alone.In this case, the doctor prescribes a cystoscopy - a method that allows you to assess the condition of the bladder, the presence of stones, tumors, ulcers, and foreign bodies in it.The condition of the organ wall is determined using ultrasound.

Treatment regimen

It is not difficult to get rid of cystitis if you follow all the doctor's instructions.The treatment regimen is made taking into account the cause of the severity, the type of pathogen, and the presence of concomitant diseases.For bacterial cystitis it includes:

• Antibacterial therapy.
• Take antispasmodics.
• Special diet.
• Herbal medicine, the use of traditional medicine.

In addition to the above methods, for recurrent cystitis, physiotherapy and installation are prescribed.Women during menopause are recommended to use hormone creams that contain estrogen.Sitz herbal baths help improve well-being and relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Drug therapy

Timely treatment using effective methods allows you to completely eliminate inflammation and restore the mucous membrane.

To relieve pain, antispasmodics are prescribed.Natural preparations for the treatment of cystitis have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.Biologically active ingredients in its composition have a good effect on the urinary tract and kidneys.

Given the bacterial nature of this disease, the use of antibiotics is a mandatory step in treatment.They are prescribed taking into account the type of cystitis pathogen, the degree of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, the rate of removal from the body and side effects.Modern drugs have the ability to linger in the affected organs, which increases their effectiveness, allowing the course of treatment to be shortened.

Traditional treatment methods

Our ancestors knew very well what cystitis was, and they used various traditional remedies to get rid of unpleasant and painful symptoms.

Treatment with lingonberry

They use berries, as well as plant leaves, harvested in early spring, so that nutrients and beneficial substances are transferred to flowers and fruits.In folk medicine, there are many recipes from lingonberry:

• Pour boiling water over the berries (2 cups of water per 150 g), leave for an hour, drink 0.5 cups three times a day.
• The leaves of the plant are crushed, poured into a pan, cold water is added and baked.After boiling, take it out, let the broth brew for a while, take it before meals 3 times a day for three months.For 60 g of raw material you need 1 liter of water.
• For preventive purposes, it is recommended to use lingonberry jam and fruit drinks in the diet.

It should be noted that lingonberry washes potassium and calcium, which women need for health and beauty, along with urine.It is important, using lingonberry decoctions, to enrich the diet with products that add essential microelements (cottage cheese, pumpkin, parsley).

Chamomile for cystitis

This plant is used not only to make tea and decoction.Topical use of chamomile is no less effective in combating cystitis.The infusion is used for douching.Chamomile decoction restores damaged mucous membranes, cleans the inner surface of the bladder from infection and improves blood circulation.

Bearberry

This plant is known for its diuretic and antibacterial effects.An infusion of 30 ml is prepared from the leaves.Pour 30 g of crushed raw material into a glass of boiling water and leave for 45 minutes, then strain.

Traditional medicine in the treatment of cystitis is an addition to drug therapy.Its use is possible only after consulting a doctor.

This disease can be avoided if you follow certain rules: avoid hypothermia, maintain hygiene, strengthen the immune system, and do not ignore infections and inflammation that appear in the body.