Cystitis is an inflammation of the urinary bladder.Most often, this disease occurs in women due to the structural characteristics of the urinary tract.The female urethra (urethra) differs from the male urethra in its short length and wide lumen, as well as in the absence of a bend.This facilitates the movement of the infection from the external genitalia to the bladder.
Forms of the disease
The characteristics of the course of the disease make it possible to differentiate between acute and chronic cystitis.In the first case, the pathology appears suddenly and is characterized by pronounced, vivid symptoms.The chronic form often occurs in waves, characteristic signs appear and disappear, and the process itself extends over time.This usually occurs against the background of existing diseases of the genitourinary system.
An acute form of cystitis forces you to consult a doctor immediately.Severe pain is often accompanied by urinary incontinence.In the chronic course, the patient may not be in a hurry, but the situation in this case is much more dangerous.With long-term inflammation, the cells of the bladder lining can transform, which ultimately risks leading to the development of a cancerous tumor.
With a timely consultation with a doctor, both problems can be successfully solved.Following the recommendations of a specialist, the symptoms of acute cystitis can be eliminated in 5-7 days, and chronic inflammation requires at least 10 days.With an undulating course of the disease, the intervals between attacks are usually about a month.
Causes of cystitis
The main cause of bladder inflammation are pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi.Most often, doctors encounter infections caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus and E. coli.These microbes can be part of the normal microflora of the external genitalia, get into the urinary tract due to poor hygiene or unprotected sex.
Urologists even identify conditional "honeymoon cystitis", which sometimes occurs in women who have just begun to be sexually active.In this case, the partner's microflora becomes the cause of a strong inflammatory process.
Common causes of the disease are poor hygiene of the external genitalia, thrush (candidiasis), as well as various sexually transmitted diseases and allergies to hygiene products.
Cystitis during menstruation
Menstrual bleeding is another common reason for the development of acute or worsening chronic cystitis.Bloody discharge often carries a large number of bacteria that can enter the bladder.Abdominal pain is often attributed to typical menstrual pain.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of the disease include:
- frequent, painful urge to urinate;
- pain or discomfort, bloating in the lower abdomen;
- burning and pain during urination and immediately after it;
- change in the appearance of urine: cloudiness, blood, mucus.
Expert opinion of a doctor
With significant inflammation, local symptoms may join the general ones: fever, weakness, chills, headache.If the inflammation affected not only the mucous membrane of the bladder, but also its muscles, the patient may complain of a constant feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, as well as urinary incontinence.The severity of certain symptoms largely depends on the form of the pathology.
Cystitis and pregnancy
Expectant mothers often suffer from cystitis.The increased tendency to inflammation is explained by a decrease in immunity, both general and local.This contributes to the worsening of various sleeping illnesses, including bladder infections.An additional risk factor is the constant compression of the organs by the enlarged uterus, which causes a frequent urge to urinate.
Cystitis is very dangerous for a pregnant woman and her unborn child, because it can cause unpleasant and dangerous complications: pyelonephritis (kidney inflammation), arterial hypertension, fetoplacental blood flow disorder, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage.
Hemorrhagic cystitis
Hemorrhagic cystitis is a special, very severe and dangerous form of the disease, which usually occurs against the background of an adenovirus infection.It is characterized by:
- very frequent and painful urination;
- severe pain in the abdomen, which spreads to the perineum;
- appearance of blood in the urine;
- general intoxication, fever.
The appearance of blood in the urine is a signal to consult a doctor immediately.Hemorrhagic cystitis can progress very quickly, grow higher, causing pyelonephritis.In severe cases, the infection penetrates the blood and spreads throughout the body.Sometimes the disease becomes chronic.
Cystitis in cancer
If a malignant or benign tumor begins to form on the lining of the bladder, it impairs the ability of the organ to stretch and causes the urge to urinate even with a small amount of urine.The condition is rarely accompanied by severe pain and is often characterized by few symptoms.Therefore, all long-term cystitis require special attention and a thorough examination of the patient for the presence of an oncological process.
There is also radiation cystitis, which occurs when subjected to appropriate therapy.Ionizing radiation causes atrophy of the bladder mucosa and the formation of scars on its wall.This leads to a gradual deterioration of the functioning of the organs.
Treatment of cystitis
Treatment of cystitis in a professional clinic is carried out under the supervision of experienced urologists.Before prescribing therapy, the doctor comprehensively assesses the patient's condition in order to choose the most appropriate methods.Research helps clarify the cause and intensity of inflammation:
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- bacterial culture of urine;
- cystoscopy (examination of the bladder from the inside with the help of special optics);
- Ultrasound of abdominal organs, kidneys, bladder and other tests.
As a rule, cystitis can be treated on an outpatient basis.The patient is at home, in bed or semi-bed mode, takes medication as recommended by the doctor, strictly adhering to the schedule and dosage.Medicines of different groups can be prescribed to eliminate inflammatory phenomena:
- antibiotics selected taking into account the sensitivity of pathogens;
- anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of tablets, as well as vaginal or rectal suppositories (in this case, the active substances are absorbed faster through the mucous membrane and reach the site of inflammation);
- antifungal drugs for the fungal nature of the disease;
- physiotherapy: electrophoresis, phonophoresis, UHF, magnetotherapy, induction therapy.
It is important to understand that self-treatment in the case of cystitis is fraught with the development of complications.The disease can become chronic and lead to inflammation of the kidneys, formation of bladder cysts and other problems.For the same reasons, you should not change your medication or stop taking it without permission, even if your condition has improved.
Diet
The diet for cystitis is designed to facilitate the functioning of the body and normalize the composition of urine.Ideally, you should follow a dairy-vegetable diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and dairy products.It is recommended to limit as much as possible fatty and fried food, spicy and salty food, as well as the use of spices.Alcohol in any form or dosage is strictly prohibited until treatment is completed.But clean water should be consumed without restrictions and in larger quantities than usual.
Remember, cystitis is not just pain or pain when urinating.An insidious disease can become chronic and really dangerous.Experienced specialists of the professional clinic will conduct the necessary examinations, make a diagnosis and prescribe an effective treatment, eliminating the inflammation in the shortest possible time.Do not delay a visit to the doctor;report to the clinic at the first symptoms.