Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are a very common and often recurring problem.Cystitis is a common bacterial disease that usually affects women (it occurs about 8 times more often in women than in men).
What is bacterial cystitis?
Bacterial cystitis is characterized by an inflammatory process of the bladder wall.It responds well to treatment and usually does not require hospitalization.
Due to the structural features of the genitourinary system, most complaints about this problem come from women, but sometimes men also face it.
Because of development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for one reason - as a result of pathogens entering the bladder.
The following factors can trigger the disease:
- failure to comply with hygiene regulations;
- the presence of chronic infections;
- previous installation of a urinary catheter;
- use of spermicidal contraceptives;
- frequent changes of sexual partners;
- history of atrophic vaginitis.
In men, the most common factor in the development of the disease is an STI.The appearance of cystitis can be influenced by prolonged exposure to cold conditions, frequent stress and taking certain medications, but all these factors are considered to be concurrent.By affecting the overall immunity of the body, they increase the possibility of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder through ascending, lymphogenous and hematogenous routes.The necessary condition for the development of this disease is the invasion of bacteria into the bladder wall.
symptoms
Bacterial cystitis in patients of any gender begins with an acute phase.
It can be recognized by some specific features:
- the appearance of a frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- pain, burning and discomfort when urinating;
- excretion of small amounts of blood in the urine;
- a false urge to go to the toilet, reducing the amount of urine excreted.
In addition to specific symptoms, patients may experience the following signs of cystitis:
- pain during and after sexual intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- increased body temperature;
- nagging pain in the lower back.
Progressive disease leads to cloudy urine and the appearance of a specific smell.Urinary incontinence may also occur when sneezing or coughing.The chronic form of cystitis is characterized by the same symptoms as the acute form, but they become less clear and intense.
Distinctive features compared to other forms
Cystitis is a disease that has a large number of forms and manifestations.The most common are bacterial, fungal and viral cystitis of an infectious nature.In some cases, the disease is provoked by a "down" kidney infection.
In addition to those listed, there is a large group of cystitis of a non-infectious nature.They can develop as a result of damage to the mucous membrane of a non-biological nature.
There are types of cystitis:
- Traumatic or foreign body cystitis.It develops with prolonged use of urinary catheters, which leads to tissue damage.
- Interstitial or autoimmune.The chronic form of this disease, which is difficult to diagnose and treat, because the exact cause of development has not been established by experts.Often, this form of cystitis can be recognized by severe pain when the bladder is full, as well as a very frequent desire to urinate - in some cases, their number can reach up to 100 times a day.
- Ray.Occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.Radiation has adverse effects on the mucous membrane of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urination, and blood in the urine.
- allergies.It occurs in response to an allergen that has entered the body.
- Toxic chemicals.This form of the disease can occur when using spermicidal gel, sanitary spray, or inserting chlorine into the urethra when visiting a swimming pool.
Diagnostics
Even with the presence of certain symptoms, cystitis can only be diagnosed using a laboratory urine test.Analysis revealed the presence of protein in it, an excessive percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (the presence of red blood cells).In addition, bacterial culture is carried out, thanks to which the doctor can identify the causative agent of the disease and choose the most effective drug.
In men, the prostate gland is also examined and tests are carried out to exclude some sexually transmitted infections, which can be hidden and asymptomatic.Women should be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to evaluate the microflora.
Treatment methods for bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires medical treatment with drugs with antibacterial action.The doctor chooses the appropriate medicine after studying the results of laboratory tests.Diseases in the chronic stage require therapy for 7-10 days.In many cases, an integrated approach to the treatment of cystitis is effective.
Etiological treatment
Since the cause of the inflammatory process in the bladder is usually an infection, patients are most often prescribed antibacterial drugs.The most common causative agent of cystitis is Escherichia coli;These uropathogenic microorganisms are detected in 75-90% of cases.
In 5-10% of patients, the disease is caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus;other enterobacteria are less common.
Pathogenetic treatment
Antibacterial therapy in women can get rid of bacteria in the bladder, but has no effect on bacteria in the gut.They again enter the surface of the perineum, into the urethra, and then into the bladder.The lining of the bladder, which is designed to protect it from bacterial penetration, is disrupted during cystitis, which causes a high probability of disease recurrence.
In world practice, the treatment of chronic cystitis by inserting sodium hyaluron into the bladder is widespread.There are oral medications, but often the most effective is a combination of them.
Such drugs allow:
- protects the bladder wall from bacterial penetration;
- restores the protective layer of the damaged mucous membrane;
- protect the urothelium from the influence of toxic components contained in urine;
- significantly reduces the intensity of the inflammatory process occurring in the bladder.
This technique is effective in case of relapse, resistance to antibacterial drugs and lack of results from other types of therapy.Another advantage is that it reduces the possibility of relapse and the ability to get rid of cystitis for a long time, even in advanced cases.
Symptomatic treatment that reduces the manifestation of the disease
Bacterial cystitis in women causes discomfort and pain, which can be quite severe.Symptomatic treatment can overcome this, the main goal is to alleviate the general condition of the patient.
In most cases, doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and recommend stopping drinking tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages.To relieve the pain, you can take a warm bath and use a heating pad.During treatment for cystitis, it is important to drink enough water.
Means for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment of cystitis in women involves oral medication.An integrated approach that takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body allows us to overcome this disease in a short time.
Antibiotics
The basis of cystitis therapy is the use of drugs that can selectively inhibit or destroy pathogenic microorganisms.To treat the inflammatory process occurring in the body's genitourinary system, uroseptics are used, excreted through the kidneys and thereby ensuring the effective concentration of the drug in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotics | Description |
|---|---|
| Phosphonic acid derivatives | Water-soluble powder with a citrus aroma.This drug is considered one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis.It acts for about 2 hours and is completely eliminated from the body after 2 days. |
| Semisynthetic antibiotics from the second generation macrolide group | White tablets.Prescribed to patients suffering from cystitis due to sexual infection. |
| Antibiotics from the second generation fluoroquinolones group | Orange tablets.1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the drug is completely removed from the body within 1 day. |
| Antibiotics from the quinolone group of the first generation | Affects various types of viruses.Available in the form of hard capsules, the active ingredient is nalidixic acid. |
| Antibiotics from the quinolone group of the first generation | Available in capsule form, the active ingredient is pipemidic acid.Start working in the first 1.5 hours after entering the body.Up to 85% of active ingredients are removed within 1 day. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotics from the group of third generation cephalosporins | Orange tablets with a berry scent.The action of the drug is to block the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Pain reliever
For cystitis, doctors usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.
Patients with recurrent disease often have to take the drug as their main drug.The same approach is used in cases where the use of antibiotics for one reason or another is impossible.As a complex therapy, specialists can prescribe antispasmodic drugs that prevent painful spasms of the bladder wall.
In the acute phase of the disease, the bladder may shrink, which prevents normal emptying.Muscle relaxation solves this problem and has an analgesic effect, improves blood circulation and restores normal organ function.
It is important to consider that antispasmodics affect systemic blood flow and the function of internal organs, so they are not used for hematopoiesis problems, kidney and liver failure, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and some other health problems.Therefore, their intake and dosage must be agreed with your doctor.
Diuretic
Diuretics are prescribed to restore a normal urinary pattern, which is an important factor in the treatment of cystitis.The mildest are diuretics of plant origin or herbal remedies, which are intended for additional therapy.
Among them are:
- A preparation in the form of a paste consisting of herbs and essential extracts.A small amount of this product is diluted with water and consumed internally.
- A herbal tablet or solution containing centaury herb, lovage root and rosemary leaf.It has both diuretic and antimicrobial effects on the body.
- Herbal infusion.These herbal remedies include herbs that stimulate urine production and have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and relaxing effects.The mixture contains oak bark, St. wort.John's wort, chamomile and flax.Such drugs are effective for various forms of cystitis and are used even in advanced cases.
Drinking regimen
Drinking enough fluids can reduce the concentration of urine and irritation of the inflamed bladder wall, as well as increase the urge to urinate and accelerate the elimination of pathogenic bacteria.Doctors recommend drinking at least 2-3 liters of water per day, based on the patient's body weight.For cystitis, bed rest is required, which speeds up the treatment and recovery process.
Prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis is very suitable for prevention, which can be used to prevent this disease and protect against the possibility of recurrence after treatment.
Most experts recommend taking preventive measures:
- Keeping clean.It is necessary to wash yourself at least once a day, and the direction should be from front to back.In this way, it is possible to prevent the entry of pathogenic organisms from the anus into the vaginal area and urethra (this is the mechanism that most often leads to the development of cystitis in women).
- Drink enough fluids.
- Use of barrier contraceptives.
- Protection against hypothermia and prolonged exposure to wet swimwear.
- Rejection of synthetic underwear in favor of underwear made of natural fabrics.
Women are also advised to urinate after every sexual intercourse to get rid of bacteria that may have entered the urethra.It is equally important to empty your bladder regularly, as stagnant urine is a fertile environment for the breeding of pathogens.
If symptoms return within 14 days after completion of therapy, it is necessary to submit urine for bacterial culture.The ineffectiveness of treatment may be due to the low susceptibility of microorganisms to the selected drug.
Possible complications and chronicity of this disease
Untreated cystitis can develop into a chronic form, which becomes more difficult to get rid of and more expensive to treat.You can avoid these consequences if you consult a specialist in time when the first signs of the disease appear.A relatively common complication is vesicoureteral reflux.It occurs when urine from the bladder enters the ureter, that is, in the opposite direction.
This process, if not given proper attention, can cause inflammation of the uterus, peritonitis or inflammation of the peritoneum.The inflammatory process in the bladder wall sometimes causes abscesses and scarring, resulting in a reduction in the amount of urine it can hold.In this case, the patient experiences frequent and painful urination.
In men, prolonged cystitis can cause urine to enter the prostate gland, inflammatory processes in the prostate and epididymitis.Women may experience problems with reproductive function.Cystitis, which is bacterial, in acute form can cause miscarriage in pregnant women.Therefore, treatment, which in most cases takes about a week, should not be delayed.