Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are a very common and 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 in the walls of the bladder.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 also from men.
Reasons for development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for one reason: as a result of pathogens entering the bladder.
The following factors can cause the disease:
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- presence of chronic infections;
- preliminary 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 taking certain medications, but all these factors are considered concomitant.By affecting the overall immunity of the body, they increase the risk of proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder through ascending, lymphogenic and hematogenous routes.A necessary condition for the development of the disease is the invasion of bacteria into the walls of the bladder.
Symptoms
Bacterial cystitis in patients of any gender begins with the acute phase.
It is recognized by several specific characteristics:
- the appearance of a frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- pain, burning, and discomfort when urinating;
- excretion of a small amount of blood in urine;
- false urge to go to the toilet, decrease in the amount of urine excreted.
In addition to specific symptoms, the patient may experience the following signs of cystitis:
- pain during and after sexual intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- increased body temperature;
- shooting 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 less intense.
Particularities 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 “descending” 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 a urinary catheter, which leads to tissue damage.
- Interstitial or autoimmune.A chronic form of the disease, difficult to diagnose and treat, because the exact causes of its development have not yet been established by specialists.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 up to 100 times a day.
- Radius.Occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.Irradiation has a detrimental effect on the mucous membrane of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urge to urinate and blood in the urine.
- Allergic.This occurs in reaction to allergens entering the body.
- Chemically toxic.This form of the disease can occur when using spermicidal gels, hygienic sprays or from chlorine seeping into the urethra when visiting a swimming pool.
Diagnosis
Even in the presence of specific symptoms, cystitis can only be diagnosed using a laboratory urine test.The analysis reveals the presence of proteins, an excessive percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (presence of red blood cells).Additionally, a bacterial culture is carried out, thanks to which the doctor can identify the causative agent of the disease and select the most effective drugs.
In men, the prostate is also examined and tests are carried out to rule out a number of sexually transmitted infections, which may be hidden and asymptomatic.Women should be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to assess the microflora.
Methods for treating bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires medical treatment with drugs with antibacterial action.The doctor selects appropriate medications after studying the results of laboratory tests.The disease in the chronic stage requires treatment for 7-10 days.In many cases, an integrated approach to treating 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;this uropathogenic microorganism is detected in 75 to 90% of cases.
In 5-10% of patients, the disease is caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus;other enterobacteria are less common.
Pathogenic treatment
Antibacterial therapy in women can eliminate bacteria in the bladder, but has no effect on bacteria in the intestines.They again enter the surface of the perineum, into the urethra, and then into the bladder.The bladder mucosa, designed to protect it from the penetration of bacteria, is disrupted during cystitis, which leads to a high probability of relapse of the disease.
In world practice, the treatment of chronic cystitis by introducing sodium hyaluron into the bladder is widespread.There are oral medications, but often the most effective is a combination of them.
Such drugs allow:
- protect the walls of the bladder 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 cases of relapses, resistance to antibacterial drugs and lack of results with other types of therapies.Another advantage is that it reduces the risk of relapse and the possibility of getting 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 intense.Symptomatic treatment can cope with it, 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 warm baths and use a heating pad.During cystitis treatment, it is important to drink enough water.
Means for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment of cystitis in women involves oral administration of medications.An integrated approach taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body allows us to cope with the disease in a short time.
Antibiotics
The basis of treatment of cystitis is the use of drugs capable of selectively inhibiting or destroying pathogenic microorganisms.To treat inflammatory processes occurring in the genitourinary system of the body, uroseptics are used, excreted through the kidneys and thereby ensuring an effective concentration of the drug in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotic | Description |
|---|---|
| Phosphonic acid derivative | Water-soluble powder with citrus aroma.This medication is considered one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis.It acts for approximately 2 hours and is completely eliminated from the body after 2 days. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the second generation macrolide group | White tablets.Prescribed to patients who have suffered from cystitis following a sexually transmitted infection. |
| Antibiotic from the second generation fluoroquinolone group | Orange tablets.1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the drug is completely eliminated from the body within 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 the form of capsules, the active ingredient is pipemidic acid.Begins to act within 1.5 hours after entering the body.Up to 85% of the active substance is eliminated within 1 day. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the group of third generation cephalosporins | Orange tablets with berry smell.The action of the drug is to suppress the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Painkillers
For cystitis, doctors usually 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 primary medications.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 drugs that block painful spasms of the bladder wall.
In the acute phase of the disease, the bladder may shrink, preventing normal emptying.Muscle relaxation solves this problem and has an analgesic effect, improves blood circulation and restores normal functioning of the organ.
It is important to consider that antispasmodics affect systemic blood flow and the functioning of internal organs.They are therefore not used to treat problems with hematopoiesis, kidney and liver failure, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and some other health problems.Therefore, their intake and dosage should be agreed with your doctor.
Diuretics
Diuretics are prescribed to restore normal voiding habits, which is an important factor in the treatment of cystitis.The mildest are diuretics of plant origin or medicinal plants, intended for auxiliary therapy.
Among them are:
- A preparation in the form of a paste composed of essential herbs and extracts.A small amount of this product is diluted with water and consumed internally.
- Herbal tablets or solution containing knapweed herb, lovage roots and rosemary leaves.It has both a diuretic and antimicrobial effect on the body.
- Plant 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.Such remedies are effective for various forms of cystitis and are used even in advanced cases.
Drinking regime
Drinking enough fluids can reduce the concentration of urine and irritation of the inflamed bladder walls, as well as increase the urge to urinate and speed up the elimination of disease-causing bacteria.Doctors recommend drinking at least 2 to 3 liters of water per day, depending on the patient's weight.For cystitis, bed rest is necessary, which speeds up the treatment and recovery process.
Prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis is very amenable to prevention, which can be used both to avoid this 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 should be from front to back.In this way, it is possible to avoid the entry of pathogenic organisms from the anus into the vaginal and urethral area (it is this 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.
- 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 any 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 proliferation of pathogens.
If symptoms reappear within 14 days after the end of treatment, it is necessary to submit urine for bacterial culture.The ineffectiveness of treatment may be due to the low sensitivity of the microorganism to the selected drug.
Possible complications and chronicity of the disease
Untreated cystitis can develop into a chronic form, which becomes much more difficult to get rid of and treatment is more expensive.You can avoid this consequence if you consult a specialist in time when the first signs of the disease appear.Vesicoureteral reflux is a fairly common complication.This happens when urine from the bladder enters the ureter, that is, in the opposite direction.
This process, if not properly taken into account, 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, leading to a reduction in the volume of urine it can hold.In this case, the patient experiences 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 experience problems with reproductive function.Cystitis, bacterial in nature, in its acute form, can lead to miscarriage in pregnant women.Therefore, the treatment, which in most cases takes about a week, cannot be delayed.