Uncomplicated 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?
Bacterial cystitis 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 complaints about this problem come from women, but sometimes men also experience it.
Development reasons
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;
- the presence of chronic infections;
- delayed urinary catheter placement.
- use of spermicidal contraceptives.
- frequent change of sexual partners.
- atrophic vaginitis in the history.
In men, the most common factor in the development of the disease is STDs. The appearance of cystitis can be affected 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 possibility 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 identified by several specific characteristics:
- the appearance of a frequent urge to the toilet;
- pain, burning and discomfort during urination.
- passing a small amount of blood in the 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 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 intense 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" infection of the kidneys.
In addition to those listed, there is an extensive group of non-infectious cystitis. They can develop as a result of non-biological damage to the mucosa.
There are types of cystitis:
- Traumatic or foreign body cystitis. It develops with prolonged use of a urinary catheter, leading to tissue damage.
- Interstitial or autoimmune.A chronic form of the disease, which is difficult to diagnose and treat, since the exact causes of the development have not yet been determined by experts. Most often, this form of cystitis can be recognized by severe pain when filling the bladder, as well as by a very frequent urge to urinate - in some cases, their number can reach up to 100 times a day.
- Ray.It occurs in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy. Radiation negatively affects the mucous membrane of the bladder, causing pain, frequent urge to urinate, blood in the urine.
- Allergic.It appears as a reaction to allergens that have entered the body.
- Chemical-toxic. This form of the disease can occur when you use spermicidal gels, hygiene sprays, or entering chlorine into the urethra when visiting the pool.
Diagnostics
Even with the presence of specific symptoms, cystitis can only be diagnosed with the help of a urine laboratory test. The analysis allows you to determine the presence of protein in it, an excess percentage of leukocytes and hematuria (presence of red blood cells). In addition, a bacterial culture is carried out, thanks to which the doctor can identify the causative agent of the disease and choose the most effective drugs.
In men, the prostate gland is additionally examined and tests are performed to rule out certain genital infections that may be hidden and asymptomatic. Women should be examined by a gynecologist and have a smear to assess 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 the laboratory tests. The disease in the chronic stage requires treatment for 7-10 days. In many cases, a comprehensive approach to the treatment of cystitis is effective.
Etiological treatment
Since the cause of the inflammatory process in the bladder is usually an infection, most 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 treatment in women can get rid of the bacteria in the bladder, but it does not affect the bacteria in the intestines. They fall again on the surface of the perineum, into the urethra and then into the bladder. The membrane of the bladder, designed to protect it from the penetration of bacteria, breaks during cystitis, which causes a high probability of recurrence of the disease.
In global practice, the treatment of the chronic form of cystitis with the introduction of sodium hyaluronate into the bladder is widespread. There are oral agents, but more 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 effect 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 from other types of treatment. Another of its advantages is the reduction of the possibility 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 severe. Symptomatic treatment allows to deal 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 to stop tea, coffee and alcoholic drinks. To relieve the pain, you can take warm baths and use a heating pad. When treating cystitis, it is important to drink enough water.
Drugs for the treatment of bacterial cystitis in women
Treatment for cystitis in women includes oral medication. Treating the disease in a short period of time allows for a comprehensive approach that takes into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Antibiotics
The basis of cystitis treatment 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 thus provide an effective concentration of the drug in the area of inflammation.
| Antibiotic | Description |
|---|---|
| Phosphonic acid derivative | Water-soluble powder with citrus aroma. This drug is considered one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the treatment of cystitis. It works for about 2 hours, it is completely eliminated from the body after 2 days. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the second generation macrolide group | White tablets. It is prescribed for patients who have developed cystitis as a result of a sexual infection. |
| Antibiotic from the group of II generation fluoroquinolones | Orange tablets. 1 tablet is enough for 12 hours, the drug is completely excreted from the body within 1 day. |
| Antibiotic from the 1st generation quinolone group | It affects a wide range of viruses. Available in the form of hard capsules, the active substance is nalidixic acid. |
| Antibiotic from the 1st generation quinolone group | Available in the form of capsules, the active substance is pipemidic acid. It begins to act within the first 1. 5 hours after ingestion. Up to 85% of the active substance is excreted within 1 day. |
| Semi-synthetic antibiotic from the group of III generation cephalosporins | Orange tablets with berry aroma. The action of the drug is to suppress the synthesis of pathological microorganisms. |
Painkillers
For cystitis, doctors usually prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets or rectal suppositories.
Patients who experience a relapse of the disease often have to take such drugs as the main one. The same approach is used in cases where the use of antibiotics for one reason or another is not possible. As a complex treatment, a specialist can prescribe antispasmodic drugs that prevent painful spasms of the bladder wall.
In the acute phase of the disease, the bladder can shrink, which prevents normal emptying. Muscle relaxation solves this problem and has an analgesic effect, improves blood circulation and restores the normal function 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 some other health problems. Therefore, their reception 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 medicines, which are intended for adjunctive treatment.
Among them are:
- A preparation in the form of a paste, consisting of herbs and essential extracts. A small amount of this medicine is diluted with water and taken by mouth.
- Tablets or herbal solution containing St. John's wort, flower roots and rosemary leaves. It has both diuretic and antimicrobial effects on the body.
- Herb collections. The composition of such herbal remedies includes herbs that stimulate urine production and have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and relaxing effects. In the framework of the fees, you can find oak bark, St. John's wort, chamomile and flax. Such treatments are effective in various forms of cystitis and are used even in advanced cases.
Consumption function
Drinking enough fluid can reduce the concentration of urine and irritation of the inflamed bladder walls, 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. With cystitis, bed rest is necessary, which allows you to speed up the healing and recovery process.
Prevention
The bacterial form of cystitis lends itself to prevention, with which you can 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 prevent 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).
- Drinking enough fluids.
- Use of barrier contraceptives.
- Protection against hypothermia and prolonged stay in a wet swimsuit.
- Rejection of synthetic underwear in favor of underwear made of natural fabrics.
It is also recommended that women urinate after each 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 favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
If symptoms return within 14 days after completion of treatment, it is necessary to pass urine for bacterial culture. Treatment failure 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 the treatment of which 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, i. e. in the opposite direction.
This process, if not taken care of, 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, reducing 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 leakage of urine in the prostate gland, inflammatory process in the prostate and epididymitis. Women may experience 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.