What is cystitis in women?— One of the most common urological diseases is cystitis.This is an inflammation of the bladder wall that occurs most often in the fairer sex - in 80% of cases.According to statistics, the prevalence of this disease in the female population is up to 36 million cases in a calendar year.For men, these numbers are many times lower.
Almost every woman has experienced unpleasant symptoms of the disease at least once in her life.This is explained by the structural features of the urinary system.The urethra, which has a larger diameter and shorter length compared to men, as well as the proximity of the vagina and anus allow pathogens to quickly penetrate the bladder cavity.Cystitis that occurs in a woman aged 16 to 65 and is not accompanied by other diseases of the urinary system is called uncomplicated.The treatment is successfully carried out on an outpatient basis (at home).
Causes of cystitis in women
Basically the nature of the disease is contagious.There are several pathogens, but the most important is E. coli.Sometimes cystitis develops against the background of other diseases related to urology and gynecology.Factors that can cause inflammation:
- hypothermia of the body.The risk group includes girls and women who prefer to wear clothes that do not suit the weather in the cold season, for example tights that are too thin, short skirts.
- Neglect of genital hygiene.This is often the cause of cystitis in girls.
- Neurogenic bladder is a problem that occurs not only in children but also in adults.Associated with restricted voluntary urination.Due to the increased sensitivity of the bladder receptors, this disease is diagnosed more often in girls than in boys.The result is malnutrition of the organ, which leads to the rapid development of pathogenic microflora that causes inflammation.
- Hormonal changes that occur in the female body during pregnancy, metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus provoke the appearance of cystitis.
- Wearing too tight, tight and uncomfortable clothing leads to disruption of the blood supply to the organs of the urinary system.
- Radiation therapy for tumors in the pelvis can lead to inflammation.
- Estrogen deficiency, changes in the mucous membrane during menopause.
- Injury to the bladder walls during various endoscopic procedures.
- In girls, the manifestation of cystitis occurs during the first sexual intercourse.The reason is a violation of the bladder wall, the penetration of microflora from the vagina into the urethra.Therefore, an active, intensive sex life, which also involves a high risk of infection, also contributes to the development of the disease.
Under the influence of these factors, pathogenic microflora develops, which leads to inflammation and the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.
Clinical picture of cystitis
The disease in women manifests itself suddenly, within a short period of time after exposure to a provoking factor (hypothermia, infection, injury).
The first and most important symptom is usually pollakiuria – frequent urination.It is observed as a result of increased tone of the bladder wall caused by inflammation.
The desire to go to the toilet occurs up to several dozen times a day, every 15-20 minutes.The volume of each portion of urine becomes smaller and smaller.Some patients, on the other hand, suffer from urinary retention (due to sphincter spasm) or incontinence (when the cervix of the organ is affected).
The woman feels severe pain in the lower abdomen that extends to the perineum.The greatest discomfort is felt when emptying the bladder.It is painful, with pain and burning.Unpleasant sensations may occur at the beginning and end of urination.
One of the constant symptoms is leukocyturia.The color of the urine changes, it becomes cloudy, riddled with pus and blood.If hematuria is pronounced, it is called a hemorrhagic form of cystitis.
The woman's general health worsens, weakness and malaise appear, and the temperature can rise up to 38 ° C.
Classification of cystitis
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish types of diseases according to their course, cause of development, stage of development, morphological changes and prevalence of the inflammatory process.The generally accepted classification distinguishes the following types of cystitis in women:
- Hemorrhagic.The cause of pathology is the activity of viruses, bacteria and fungi.Urine contains blood, depending on the amount of blood the color varies from pink to brown.Without treatment, iron deficiency anemia can occur and subsequently a general infection of the body due to blockage of the bloodstream by blood clots.
- Interstitial.The inflammation is not contagious and occurs more often in young women.The reason is a lack of glycosaminoglycans, which causes inflammation.It is characterized by severe cutting pain and frequent urges, especially at night.With an intense sex life, the disease can progress.
- Radiation cystitis.Occurs after radiation, which is used in the treatment of tumors.The procedure affects the sensitivity of the bladder, leads to deformation of its walls and dysfunction of the organ.
- Catarrhal cystitis.In addition to blood, the urine also contains stones, sand and an increased content of calcium salts.The capacity of the bladder decreases.
- Crusting.The affected mucous membrane is covered with salts and fibrin.Drug therapy is not always effective.The best treatment results are achieved through surgical intervention.
- Cervical cystitis.Named for its location – inflammation occurs in the bladder neck.The peculiarity lies in the damage to the mucous membrane and the sphincters that regulate urination.A woman often feels false urges, pain in the perineum and lower abdomen.Laboratory analysis of urine shows a high content of pathogenic microorganisms.
The type of disease can only be determined after a complete examination.
Acute and chronic cystitis
The existing differences in the course of the disease make it possible to distinguish between different forms.
Acute cystitis
It progresses rapidly and is characterized by pronounced symptoms – dysuria (impaired urination), leukocyturia and terminal hematuria.The woman experiences frequent urges that lead to severe pain.Dysuric disorders cause the desire to go to the toilet after 5-10 minutes, the amount of urine excreted is poor.
Chronic cystitis
The symptoms are similar to the acute form.Exacerbations of the disease occur once or repeatedly throughout the year.Externally in the form of frequent and painful urination, severe pain in the pubic area.Characteristics of chronic cystitis are:
- nocturia – the urge to urinate at night;
- Dysuria is an incessant desire to empty the bladder.
In the remission stage, symptoms are sluggish, imperceptible or absent.
diagnosis
Early detection of cystitis allows you to start treatment in a timely manner to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and other complications from occurring.Laboratory and instrumental studies help make an accurate diagnosis.These include: general urine test, bacteriological culture, vaginal swab.If necessary, ultrasound, cystoscopy and cystography are prescribed.
The main and mandatory research method is urinalysis.With its help, the degree of the inflammatory process and the type of causative agent of the disease are determined.A general analysis allows you to determine what the number of leukocytes and red blood cells is.The composition contains uric acid salts, mucus and bacteriuria.If inflammation is present, the urine takes on a cloudy appearance and may have a reddish hue.
It is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis based on laboratory methods alone.In these cases, the doctor prescribes cystoscopy - a method that allows you to assess the condition of the bladder, as well as the presence of stones, tumors, ulcers and foreign bodies in it.The condition of the organ walls is determined using ultrasound.
Treatment regimen
It is not difficult to get rid of cystitis if you follow all the doctor's instructions.The treatment regimen is drawn up taking into account the cause of the exacerbation, the type of pathogen and the presence of concomitant diseases.In bacterial cystitis it includes:
- Antibacterial therapy.
- Taking antispasmodics.
- Special diet.
- Herbal medicine, the use of traditional medicine.
In addition to the above methods, physiotherapy and installations are prescribed for recurrent cystitis.Menopausal women are recommended to use hormone creams containing estrogen.Sitting herbal baths improve well-being and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Drug therapy
Timely treatment with effective methods allows you to completely eliminate inflammation and restore the mucous membrane.
Antispasmodics are prescribed to relieve pain.A natural preparation for the treatment of bladder infections has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect.The biologically active substances contained in its composition have a positive effect on the urinary tract and kidneys.
Due to the bacterial nature of the disease, the use of antibiotics is a mandatory treatment step.They are prescribed taking into account the type of cystitis pathogen, the degree of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, the rate of excretion from the body and side effects.Modern drugs have the ability to linger in the affected organ, which increases their effectiveness and allows the duration of treatment to be shortened.
Traditional treatment methods
Our great-grandmothers knew well what cystitis was, and they used various traditional medicines to eliminate the unpleasant and painful symptoms.
Treatment with cranberries
They use berries as well as leaves of the plant, which are harvested in early spring until the nutrients and nutrients are transferred to the flowers and fruits.There are many recipes from cranberries in folk medicine:
- Pour boiling water over the berries (2 cups of water per 150 g), leave for an hour and drink 0.5 cups three times a day.
- The leaves of the plant are crushed, poured into a pot, cold water is added and put on fire.After cooking, remove it, let the broth brew for a while and take three times a day before meals for three months.For 60 g of raw materials you need 1 liter of water.
- For prevention, it is recommended to include cranberry jam and fruit drinks in the diet.
It should be noted that cranberries, along with urine, wash out potassium and calcium, which a woman needs for health and beauty.By using lingonberry decoctions, it is important to enrich the diet with products that replenish essential microelements (cottage cheese, pumpkin, parsley).
Chamomile for cystitis
The plant is used not only for making teas and decoctions.Topical use of chamomile is no less effective in the fight against cystitis.The infusion is used for rinsing.The decoction of chamomile restores damaged mucous membranes, cleanses the inner surface of the bladder from infections and improves blood circulation.
Bearberry
The plant is known for its diuretic and antibacterial effects.An infusion of 30 ml is prepared from the leaves.Pour 30 g of crushed raw material into a glass of boiling water, leave for 45 minutes, then filter.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of cystitis is an adjunct to drug therapy.Their use is possible only after consulting a doctor.
The disease can be avoided if you follow certain rules: avoid hypothermia, maintain hygiene, strengthen the immune system and do not ignore infections and inflammations that occur in the body.