Simple urinary tract infections are very common and often recur. Cystitis is a common bacterial disease that usually affects women (they are about 8 times more likely to have it than men).
What is bacterial cystitis
Cystitis of a bacterial nature is characterized by an inflammatory process of the bladder walls. It responds well to treatment and usually does not require hospitalization.
Due to the peculiarities of the structure of the genitourinary system, most of the complaints about this problem come from women, but sometimes men also experience it.
Reasons for development
Bacterial cystitis always occurs for one reason - due to the entry of pathogens into the bladder.
The following factors can provoke the disease:
- non-compliance with hygiene rules;
- the presence of chronic infections;
- postponed installation of a urinary catheter;
- use of spermicidal contraceptives;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- atrophic vaginitis in history.
In men, the most common factor in the development of the disease is sexually transmitted diseases. The onset of cystitis can be influenced by prolonged exposure to cold, frequent stressful situations and taking certain medications, but all of these factors are considered concomitant. Affecting the general immunity of the body, they increase the likelihood of reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the bladder by 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 both sexes begins with an acute phase.
It can be recognized by several specific characteristics:
- the appearance of a frequent need to go to the toilet;
- pain, burning and discomfort when urinating;
- excretion of a small amount of blood in the urine;
- false desire to go to the toilet, a decrease in the amount of urine excreted.
In addition to the specific symptoms, the patient may experience the following signs of cystitis:
- pain during and after intercourse;
- discomfort in the perineum and pelvis;
- increase in body temperature;
- pulling pains in the lower back.
A 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 one, 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 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 non-infectious cystitis. They can develop due to non-biological damage to the mucous membrane.
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, since the exact causes of development have not yet been established by specialists. Most often, this form of cystitis can be recognized by severe pain when filling the bladder, as well as a very frequent need to urinate - in some cases, their number can reach up to 100 times a day.
- Ray.It occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Irradiation adversely affects the mucous membrane of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urge to urinate, 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 chlorine that enters the urethra when visiting the pool.
Diagnostics
Even in the presence of specific symptoms, cystitis can only be diagnosed with the help of a laboratory urine test. The analysis allows you to identify the presence of proteins in it, an excess percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (the presence of red blood cells). In addition, bacterial culture is performed, thanks to which the doctor can identify the causative agent of the disease and select the most effective drugs.
In men, the prostate gland is further examined and tests are done to rule out a number of genital infections that may be hidden and asymptomatic. Women need to be examined by a gynecologist and take a smear to evaluate the microflora.
Methods for the treatment of bacterial cystitis
Bacterial cystitis requires drug treatment with antibacterial drugs. The doctor selects the appropriate means 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 treating cystitis is effective.
Etiological treatment
Since the cause of the inflammatory process in the bladder is usually an infection, very often patients are prescribed antibacterial drugs. 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 bacteria in the bladder, but it does not affect the bacteria in the gut. They fall back to the surface of the perineum, into the urethra and then into the bladder. The bladder membrane, designed to protect it from the penetration of bacteria, ruptures during cystitis, which causes a high probability of disease recurrence.
In world practice, the treatment of the chronic form of cystitis by introducing sodium hyaluronic into the bladder is widespread. There are oral agents, but more often the most effective is their combination.
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 the urine;
- significantly reduce the intensity of the inflammatory process occurring in the bladder.
This technique is effective in case of relapses, resistance to antibacterial drugs and lack of results from other types of therapy. Another of its advantages is to reduce the likelihood of relapse 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 severe. Symptomatic treatment allows you to cope with this, the main goal of which is to alleviate the general condition of the patient.
In most cases, doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, recommend giving up tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages. To relieve pain, you can take warm baths and use a heating pad. When treating cystitis, it is important to drink enough water.
Remedies for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment for cystitis in women involves oral medications. Coping with the disease in a short time allows for an integrated approach that takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Antibiotics
The basis of the treatment of cystitis is the use of drugs that can selectively inhibit or destroy pathogens. For the treatment of inflammatory processes occurring in the urogenital system of the body, uroseptics are used, which are excreted through the kidneys and thereby provide an effective concentration of the drug in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotic | Description |
|---|---|
| Derivative of phosphonic acid | Water-soluble powder with citrus flavor. This drug is considered to be one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. It acts for about 2 hours, is completely excreted from the body after 2 days. |
| Semisynthetic antibiotic from the II generation macrolide group | White tablets. It is prescribed for patients who have had cystitis due to a sexual infection. |
| Antibiotic of the second generation fluoroquinolone group | Orange tablets. 1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the drug is completely excreted from the body within 1 day. |
| Antibiotic from the group of 1st generation quinolones | It affects a wide range of viruses. Available in the form of hard capsules, the active ingredient is nalidixic acid. |
| Antibiotic from the group of 1st generation quinolones | Available in capsule form, the active ingredient is pipemidic acid. It begins to work within the first 1. 5 hours after ingestion. Up to 85% of the active ingredient is excreted within 1 day. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic of the third generation cephalosporin group | Orange tablets with a scent of berries. The action of the drug is to suppress the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Pain relievers
For cystitis, doctors usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of rectal tablets or suppositories.
Patients who experience a relapse of the disease often have to take medications as the main ones. The same approach is used in cases where the use of antibiotics for one reason or another is not possible. 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 the normal functioning of the organ.
It is important to consider that antispasmodics affect systemic blood flow and the functioning of internal organs, so they are not used for problems with hematopoiesis, kidney and liver failure, acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and other health problems. Therefore, their intake and dosage must be agreed with the doctor.
Diuretics
Diuretics are prescribed to restore normal urination, which is an important factor in the treatment of cystitis. The most sparing are herbal diuretics or herbal remedies, intended for adjuvant therapy.
Among these are:
- A preparation in the form of a paste, consisting of herbs and essential extracts. A small amount of this remedy is diluted with water and taken orally.
- Vegetable tablets or solutions containing centaurea grass, lovage roots and rosemary leaves. It has both a diuretic and an antimicrobial effect on the body.
- Herbal collections. The composition of such herbal remedies includes herbs that stimulate urine production and have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and relaxing effects. Among the fees can be found oak bark, St. John's wort, chamomile and flax. Such remedies are effective in various forms of cystitis and are also used in advanced cases.
Ways to drink
Drinking enough fluids can reduce urine concentration and irritation of inflamed bladder walls, as well as increase the urge to urinate and speed up the disposal of pathogenic bacteria. Doctors recommend drinking at least 2-3 liters of water per day, based on the patient's body weight. With cystitis, bed rest is required, which allows you to speed up the process of treatment and recovery.
Prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis lends itself well to prevention, with which you can both avoid this disease and protect yourself from possible relapses after treatment.
Most experts recommend taking preventive measures:
- Hygiene. It is necessary to wash at least 1 time a day, while the direction should be from front to back. Thus, it is possible to avoid the entry of pathogens from the anus into the area of the vagina 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 long stay in a wet bathing suit.
- Refusal of synthetic underwear in favor of underwear made from natural fabrics.
It is also recommended that women urinate after each intercourse to eliminate bacteria that may have entered the urethra. It is equally important to empty your bladder regularly, as stagnant urine is a beneficial environment for the reproduction of pathogens.
If symptoms recur within 14 days of completing therapy, urination is required for bacterial culture. Treatment failure may be due to the low susceptibility of the microorganism to the selected drug.
Possible complications and chronicity of the disease
Untreated cystitis can turn into a chronic form, which becomes much more difficult to eliminate and whose therapy is more expensive. You can avoid this consequence if you turn to a specialist in time when the first signs of the disease appear. A fairly common complication is vesicoureteral reflux. It occurs when urine enters the ureter from the bladder, that is, in the opposite direction.
This process, if not paid due attention, can lead to inflammation of the uterus, peritonitis or inflammation of the peritoneum. The inflammatory process in the bladder walls sometimes causes abscesses and scarring, resulting in a reduction in the amount of urine it can hold. In this case, the patient is faced with frequent and painful urination.
In men, prolonged cystitis can lead to urine leakage into the prostate gland, an inflammatory process in the prostate, and epididymitis. Women can have reproductive problems. Cystitis, which is bacterial in nature, in acute form can lead to miscarriage in pregnant women. Therefore, the treatment, which in most cases takes about a week, cannot be delayed.