The danger of cystitis lies not only in the pain of the symptoms - failure to treat it properly will cause many complications, especially in women; Improper selection and use of medication can lead to life-threatening consequences.
Cause and pathogenesis
The risk factor for developing cystitis in women is the anatomical structure of the urinary tract - the urethra is short and wide, allowing bacteria to penetrate unhindered. The anal and vaginal openings are located close to the urethra, increasing the risk of infection.
Another physiological feature that affects the frequent development of pathology in women is the larger bladder volume in men, which helps them to endure the urge to go to the toilet for a long time. . Periodic stagnation of urine causes the persistence and development of infection in the organ cavity.
The development of the inflammatory process is facilitated by wearing tight or synthetic underwear, which creates a thermos effect, as well as lack of personal hygiene and lack of promiscuity during sexual intercourse.
Bacteria enter the bladder either up (through the urethra) or down (through the ureters from the kidney). There may be infection of the lymphatic flow from the pelvic organs. More rare, but possible, is the route of infection through blood from distant inflammatory foci - nasopharynx, deep tooth decay.
The most common pathogen is E. coli or streptococcus, less often - viruses, yeast-like fungi or sexually transmitted diseases: gonorrhea, trichomonas.
Normally, the mucous membrane of the bladder is protected from infection by glycocalyx, a protective substance produced under the influence of female sex hormones. The cavity of a healthy organ is not sterile - single cells of pathogenic microflora may be present in it, but the active growth of bacteria is prevented by the body's immune forces. Additionally, the infection is eliminated by the periodic flow of urine.
The driving force for the development of acute cystitis can be:
- reduced immunity due to hypothermia, ARVI, nervous tension, stress, physical fatigue;
- allergic to certain medications;
- Pyelonephritis, urinary stones, accompanied by impaired urine flow;
- diabetes;
- late stages of pregnancy;
- Menopause, an imbalance in female sex hormones.
Cystitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. The latter is a result of improper treatment, persistent kidney dysfunction and systemic diseases related to hormonal imbalance.
The development of acute cystitis
The disease always begins suddenly, often occurring at night or the next morning after getting your feet wet, getting wet in the rain or sitting on something cold. The symptoms are so obvious and painful, it is impossible not to pay attention to them:
- persistent pain in the lower abdomen above the pubic bone, spreading to the lumbosacral area;
- nocturia - desire to urinate every 10-15 minutes;
- difficulty urinating - a constant feeling of full bladder;
- Urine comes out sparingly, with difficulty, drop by drop, accompanied by pain, burning, and itching;
- opaque, scaly, possibly mixed with pus or blood;
- weakness, weakness, headache, fever, mild fever or high temperature.
The inflammatory process often affects the urethra, leading to the development of urethritis, causing increased pain and itching.
It is impossible to talk about performance in such a situation. The best thing to do is consult your doctor immediately.
Treatment started in the first hours of the disease will increase the chances of getting rid of cystitis forever in a short time.
Diagnose
To treat cystitis, you need to consult a urologist, gynecologist or infectious disease specialist.
Several tests will need to be performed:
- General urinalysis;
- microscopic examination of urine;
- bacterial culture to determine the sensitivity of pathogens to antibiotics;
- Bladder ultrasound is necessary to ensure there are no changes in the deep submucosal and muscular layers of the bladder, polyps, or cysts.
Cystitis is manifested by high white blood cell count - urinary leukocytes above 2000/ml.
Based on the content of red blood cells and cylindrical shapes in urine, it is possible to identify related problems and factors that stimulate the development of cystitis: kidney damage due to trauma, urolithiasis, inflammation. Acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, kidney disease, purulent abscess, toxic bladder lesions. urinary system, presence of viruses.
In addition, a gynecological examination is required - analysis of vaginal smears for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases and pathogenic microflora.
Such a detailed medical history will help to reliably determine the causative agent of inflammation and the degree of damage to organ tissue.
Treatment is with antibiotics
For the treatment of acute uncomplicated infectious cystitis, a course of antibiotics is prescribed for 2 to 7 days. Tetracycline drugs based on clavulanic acid, from the group of penicillins and fluoroquinolones, are used.
The choice of medication is made by the doctor based on the results of a sensitivity test to the pathogen. Spontaneous use of the drug can only suppress symptoms and contribute to the development of a slow inflammatory process. Increasing bacterial resistance will complicate treatment, narrowing the range of effective drugs.
You cannot independently prolong the prescribed duration of antibiotics - due to the inhibition of the normal microflora inside the body, there is a risk of developing dysbiosis and immunodeficiency.
In addition to antibiotics, when treating cystitis in women, antispasmodics, analgesics and herbal medicines in tablets and other dosage forms are prescribed to relieve symptoms.
Herbal medicines and dietary supplements
Complexes based on plant raw materials are non-toxic, have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, choleretic, antibacterial effects, enhance the effect of antibiotics without disturbing the balance of the microflora. They can be taken for a long time - from 2 weeks to 1 month during the treatment of acute and chronic cystitis. The choice of funds is quite wide:
- tablets contain cranberry extract - a famous natural antibiotic and diuretic. Cranberries have an astringent and anti-inflammatory effect, accelerating the process of eliminating infection through urine;
- capsules containing ascorbic acid, cranberries, barberries and horsetail are intended for the prevention and treatment of cystitis as part of complex therapy;
- Herbal treatments for cystitis based on medicinal plants. Available in solution and tonic form, contains centaury, herb, rosemary;
- Natural complex based on oils of orange, pine, sage and other plants. Available in thick green paste. Before drinking, a small amount of the product should be dissolved in warm water;
- The product is produced in tablet form, containing hop extract, mint, oregano and fir oil;
- a medication used to treat urinary stones and prevent bladder infections. Contains kidney tea, curly silkworm leaves, papaya, pepper. Available in capsule and tablet form. In addition to its pronounced diuretic effect, the product also suppresses the inflammatory process in the urinary tract, improves its permeability, removes sand and dissolves small kidney stones, and also has antispasmodic and analgesic effects.
Antispasmodic drugs
To relieve pain, relax the smooth muscles of the bladder and facilitate the passage of urine, antispasmodic drugs are prescribed. The drug relieves severe symptoms, reduces pain and discomfort caused by muscle fiber contraction.
A single dose should not exceed 2-3 tablets. Overdose may cause dizziness, drowsiness and drop in blood pressure. Don't forget that antispasmodics only provide temporary pain relief and do not cure the disease.
Analgesic
Severe pain, accompanied by fever, fever, and weakness is the reason for prescribing drugs from the group of propionic acid derivatives. The drugs used have general anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Side effects are rare but possible, so be sure to check their safety by talking to your doctor before using the medication. Contraindications to the use of products containing propionic acid derivatives include severe renal and hepatic impairment, pregnancy, and children under 6 years of age.
Probiotics
To prevent dysbacteriosis and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract when taking antibiotics, people use drugs containing natural complexes of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria - probiotics. The products have been shown to protect and restore the microflora of the female genital organs, enhance local immunity and minimize unwanted consequences of antibiotic treatment. born. There are some contraindications to taking probiotics - hypersensitivity to the components of the drug or allergic reactions.
For uncomplicated acute cystitis, treatment with dry and moist heat is effective. It is very useful to take warm steam baths and sitz baths with a decoction of St. John's wort. John's wort or yarrow: for a steam bath, a hot herbal decoction is poured into a basin. You need to squat down over the steam and sit for 10–15 minutes. The steam should be warm but not burn. For sitz baths, the decoction is added to water at a temperature of about 45 ° C.
When resting, you can apply a warm heating pad to the lower abdomen - the location of the bladder.
Thermal procedures stimulate tissue metabolism and have a relaxing, analgesic and antispasmodic effect.
Warming is allowed only when there is no inflammatory process in the genital organs, otherwise such treatment can cause additional harm.
Additional treatments
Bladder massage techniques can be used as a complementary treatment.
- In a supine position, bend your knees slightly (you can place a cushion or pillow under your back).
- Place the fingertips of both hands on your belly 2-3 fingers away from your navel.
- Exhale, press lightly and deeply on the abdominal wall until you feel a slight pain inside, a few seconds later release your hand and press again on the abdomen. Do 5 or 6 repetitions.
The movements are aimed at eliminating delayed diuresis, obstruction and accelerating blood circulation in the bladder area. If the massage is done properly, after completion there will be a strong feeling of wanting to go to the toilet.
During cystitis treatment, you will need to drink more water than usual to empty your bladder. In addition to clean drinking water, it will be useful to drink non-carbonated slightly alkaline mineral water, juices made from cranberries, black and red grapes, cherries, sea buckthorn and other berries. Acidic drinks have an antibacterial effect, prevent infection from remaining on the walls of the organ and accelerate the removal of inflammatory products from the bladder cavity.
Decoctions and infusions of fennel seeds and herbs, chamomile, parsley, lingonberry leaves and millet have a high diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. To prepare, 2 tablespoons of crushed raw materials are poured into 1 liter of boiling water, boiled for 15 minutes and left for about an hour. The liquid is carefully filtered and drunk warm, 1 glass 3 times a day.
Diuretics should be used with caution in cases of insufficient renal function, a tendency to increase blood pressure or hypotension.
During the treatment of cystitis, it is necessary to exclude spicy spices, pickled foods, candies, sweet carbonated drinks, strong coffee, and alcohol from the diet. These products interfere with the excretory function of the kidneys, promote uric acid accumulation, and cause urinary tract irritation.
Chronic cystitis
Untimely onset or improper and careless treatment of acute cystitis leads to a progressive chronic form with periodic relapses. Chronic cystitis is a long-term disease. Periods of remission or slow inflammation, during which the actual disease is not apparent, alternate with more severe symptoms.
The danger of chronic cystitis lies not only in the severe discomfort and pain that occurs during exacerbations. The focus of long-standing inflammation in the bladder affects the deep layers of the organ, contributing to the formation of difficult-to-treat morphological forms of the disease: interstitial, cystic, hemorrhagic, gangrenous cystitis, tumors. polycystic. The inflammatory process involves not only the mucous membrane but also the submucosa, muscle tissue, and circulatory system of the organ. Gradually, the affected areas are replaced by rough scar tissue, the organ loses its elasticity and no longer functions normally.
In addition, the inflammatory process can spread to neighboring organs, causing the development of cystitis - damage to tissues around the bladder, pyelonephritis. The gradual spread of infection can cause the development of adnexitis, tubal adhesions and subsequent infertility.
In pregnant women, exacerbation of the chronic process is inevitable, this is influenced by changes in hormonal levels, fluctuations in immunity, suppression of theinternal organs due to the growing uterus, this also causes urine stagnation and inflammatory processes. The most serious complication of cystitis in pregnant women is acute pyelonephritis, which causes severe poisoning in the body and the risk of miscarriage.
Treatment of complicated forms of cystitis is carried out in the hospital. In addition to medication, the following types of therapy may be prescribed:
- instillation - introduction into the bladder cavity of medicinal solutions that help eliminate toxins and have an anti-inflammatory effect;
- physiotherapy - electroconvulsive therapy, iontophoresis, UHF, mud application, acupuncture;
- positional therapy - special positions that help remove blockages and restore the functioning of the urinary tract. The method is suitable for pregnant women;
- Surgical treatment - laser cautery or excision of affected bladder tissue. In serious cases, with complete loss of organ function, they must resort to cosmetic surgery of the bladder from its own intestinal tissue.
The duration of treatment for chronic cystitis is several months. The course is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, preventing complications, maximally restoring the urinary system and preventing irreversible changes in the structure of organ tissues.
Basic measures to prevent cystitis: maintain good hygiene, wear underwear made from natural fabrics, choose shoes and clothes according to the weather and season, timely treatment of colds and chronic pathologies, take general fortified vitamin complex.