Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are a very common problem and frequently recur.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 walls.It responds well to treatment and generally 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.
Reasons for development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for one reason - as a result of pathogens entering the bladder.
The following factors can provoke the disease:
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- presence of chronic infections;
- previous installation of a urinary catheter;
- use of spermicidal contraceptives;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- history of atrophic vaginitis.
In men, the most common factor in the development of the disease is STIs.The appearance of cystitis can be influenced by prolonged exposure to cold, frequent stressful situations and the use of certain medications, but all of these factors are considered concomitant.By affecting the body's general immunity, they increase the likelihood of the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder via the ascending, lymphogenic and hematogenous routes.A necessary condition for the development of the disease is the invasion of bacteria into the bladder walls.
Symptoms
Bacterial cystitis in patients of either sex begins in the acute phase.
It can be recognized by several specific features:
- the appearance of frequent urges to go to the bathroom;
- pain, burning and discomfort when urinating;
- excretion of a small amount of blood in the urine;
- false urge to go to the bathroom, decrease in the amount of urine excreted.
In addition to specific symptoms, the patient may present the following signs of cystitis:
- pain during and after sexual intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- increased body temperature;
- dull pain in the lower back.
The progressive disease leads to cloudy urine and the appearance of a specific odor.Urinary incontinence can 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 pronounced 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 caused by a “descendant” kidney infection.
In addition to those listed, there is a large group of cystitis that is non-infectious in 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 a urinary catheter, which leads to tissue damage.
- Interstitial or autoimmune.Chronic form of the disease, difficult to diagnose and treat, as the exact causes of development have not yet been established by experts.Most often, this form of cystitis can be recognized by severe pain when the bladder fills, as well as a very frequent urge to urinate - in some cases their number can reach 100 times a day.
- Ray.It occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.Irradiation has a detrimental effect on the mucous membrane of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urge to urinate and blood in the urine.
- Allergic.It occurs as a reaction to allergens that have entered the body.
- Chemical-toxic.This form of the disease can occur when using spermicidal gels, hygiene sprays, or when putting chlorine in the urethra when visiting a swimming pool.
Diagnosis
Even in the presence of specific symptoms, cystitis can only be diagnosed through a laboratory urine test.The analysis reveals the presence of proteins, an excessive percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (presence of red blood cells).In addition, a bacterial culture is performed, with which the doctor can identify the causative agent of the disease and select the most effective medications.
In men, the prostate is additionally examined and tests are performed to exclude a number of sexually transmitted infections, which can be hidden and asymptomatic.Women need to be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to assess the microflora.
Treatment methods for bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires medical treatment with medications with antibacterial action.The doctor selects appropriate medications after studying the results of laboratory tests.The disease in the chronic stage requires therapy for 7-10 days.In many cases, an integrated approach to cystitis treatment is effective.
Etiological treatment
Since the cause of the inflammatory process in the bladder is often an infection, patients are often prescribed antibacterial medications.The most common causative agent of cystitis is Escherichia coli;this uropathogenic microorganism is 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 eliminate bladder bacteria but has no effect on gut bacteria.They re-enter the surface of the perineum, the urethra, and then the bladder.The lining of the bladder, designed to protect it from the penetration of bacteria, is disrupted during cystitis, which causes a high probability of the disease recurring.
In world practice, the treatment of chronic cystitis with the introduction of sodium hyaluron into the bladder is widespread.There are oral medications, but often the most effective is a combination of them.
These medicines allow:
- protect the bladder walls from the penetration of bacteria;
- restore the damaged protective layer of the mucous membrane;
- protect the urothelium from the influence of toxic components contained in urine;
- Significantly reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process occurring in the bladder.
This technique is effective in case of relapses, resistance to antibacterials and lack of results from other types of therapy.Another advantage is that it reduces the likelihood of relapses and the ability to get rid of cystitis for a long time, even in advanced cases.
Symptomatic treatment that reduces the manifestations of the disease
Bacterial cystitis in women causes discomfort and pain, which can be quite serious.Symptomatic treatment can cope with this, the main goal of which is to alleviate the general condition of the patient.
In most cases, doctors prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and recommend giving up tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages.To relieve pain, you can take hot baths and use a heating pad.During cystitis treatment, it is important to drink plenty of water.
Means for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment of cystitis in women involves oral administration of medications.An integrated approach that takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body makes it possible to cope with the disease in a short time.
Antibiotics
The basis of cystitis therapy is the use of medications that can selectively inhibit or destroy pathogenic microorganisms.To treat inflammatory processes occurring in the genitourinary system of the body, uroseptics are used, excreted by the kidneys and thus ensuring an effective concentration of the medicine in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotic | Description |
|---|---|
| Phosphonic acid derivative | Water-soluble powder with citrus scent.This medicine is considered one of the most used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis.It works for approximately 2 hours and is completely eliminated from the body after 2 days. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the second generation macrolide group | White pills.Prescribed to patients who have suffered cystitis as a result of a sexually transmitted infection. |
| Second generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic | Orange pills.1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the medicine is completely eliminated from the body in 1 day. |
| First generation quinolone antibiotic | Affects a wide range of viruses.Available in capsule form, the active ingredient is nalidixic acid. |
| First generation quinolone antibiotic | Available in capsule form, the active ingredient is pipemidic acid.It begins to act in the first 1.5 hours after entering the body.Up to 85% of the active substance is eliminated in 1 day. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the third generation cephalosporin group | Orange pills with the scent of red fruits.The action of the drug is to suppress the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Painkillers
For cystitis, doctors often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.
Patients who experience a relapse of the disease often need to take these medications as their main medication.The same approach is applied in cases where the use of antibiotics for one reason or another is impossible.As a complex therapy, a specialist can prescribe antispasmodic medications that block 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 the normal functioning of the organ.
It is important to consider that antispasmodics affect systemic blood flow and the functioning of internal organs, therefore they are not used for problems with hematopoiesis, renal and hepatic failure, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and some other health problems.Therefore, its intake and dosage must be agreed with your doctor.
Diuretics
Diuretics are prescribed to restore normal urination patterns, which is an important factor in treating cystitis.The mildest are diuretics of plant or herbal origin, intended for auxiliary therapy.
Among them are:
- Preparation in the form of a paste composed of essential herbs and extracts.A small amount of this product is diluted in water and consumed internally.
- Herbal tablets or solution containing centaur herb, lovage roots and rosemary leaves.It has a diuretic and antimicrobial effect on the body.
- Herbal infusions.These herbal remedies include herbs that stimulate urine production and have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and relaxing effects.The mixture contains oak bark, St. John's wort, chamomile and flax.These remedies are effective for various forms of cystitis and are used even in advanced cases.
Drinking regime
Drinking plenty of fluids can reduce urine concentration and irritation of inflamed bladder walls, as well as increase the urge to urinate and speed up the elimination of pathogenic bacteria.Doctors recommend drinking at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day, based on the patient's body weight.For cystitis, bed rest is necessary, which speeds up the treatment and recovery process.
Prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis is highly preventable, which can be used both to prevent the disease and to protect against possible relapses after treatment.
Most experts recommend taking preventative measures:
- Maintain hygiene.It is necessary to wash at least once a day, and the direction must be from front to back.In this way, it is possible to prevent the entry of pathogenic organisms from the anus to the vaginal and urethral region (it is this mechanism that most often leads to the development of cystitis in women).
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Use of barrier-type contraceptives.
- Protection against hypothermia and prolonged exposure to wet swimwear.
- Refusal of synthetic underwear in favor of underwear made from natural fabrics.
Women are also advised to urinate after each sexual intercourse to get rid of bacteria that may have entered the urethra.It is equally important to empty the bladder regularly, as stagnant urine is a fertile environment for the proliferation of pathogens.
If symptoms return within 14 days of completing therapy, it is necessary to submit urine for bacterial culture.The ineffectiveness of the treatment may be due to the low susceptibility of the microorganism to the selected drug.
Possible complications and chronicity of the disease
Untreated cystitis can evolve into a chronic form, which becomes much more difficult to eliminate and whose treatment is more expensive.You can avoid this consequence by consulting a specialist in time, when the first signs of the disease appear.A very 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 due attention, can lead to inflammation of the uterus, peritonitis or inflammation of the peritoneum.The inflammatory process in the walls of the bladder sometimes causes abscesses and scarring, resulting in a reduction in the volume of urine it can hold.In this case, the patient feels frequent and painful urination.
In men, prolonged cystitis can lead to urine entering the prostate, an inflammatory process in the prostate and epididymitis.Women may have problems with reproductive function.Cystitis, bacterial in nature, in its acute form can cause spontaneous abortion in pregnant women.Therefore, treatment, which in most cases lasts about a week, cannot be delayed.