Cystitis in women: symptoms and treatment, medications, remedies for cystitis

Among many urological diseases, cystitis is the most common pathology in women.The etymology is based on damage to the upper mucous layer of the inner walls of the bladder due to the inflammatory process.Sometimes the submucosa and muscle layers are involved in the damage process, which leads to changes in the tissue structure of the organ and disruption of its functions.

Women suffer significantly more often from cystitis (up to 80% of all patients).This is due to the peculiarity of the female anatomical structure of the urethral canal.It is wider and shorter than the male urethra, which does not pose any problems for infectious pathogens.

The clinical picture of the disease can manifest itself in an acute or chronic course with different symptoms and signs.

Causes of cystitis

Cystitis itself belongs to the classification of infectious diseases.Its formation is associated with bacterial carriers: coli bacteria (in 70%), spherical staphylococci and other bacteria.The main role in the occurrence of cystitis in women is played by the spread of infection through possible lesions in the body:

• In the underlying organs (various forms of vulvovaginitis);
• Descending path with the flow of urine from foci of inflammation in the kidneys and the upper parts of the ureter;
• Hematogenous by promoting the pathogen (via the bloodstream).

Acute cystitis in women often arises as a result of structural underdevelopment of the urinary system or oncological neoplasms that impede the normal process of urine excretion, contribute to its acute retention in the urinary system and the development of infection.

The development of pathology is influenced by various factors that contribute to a decrease in the overall resistance (resistance) of the immune system:

• History of acute and chronic infectious diseases (previously suffered) – inflammation of the appendages, fallopian tubes or ovaries, acute or purulent pyelonephritis, inflammation of the urethra;
• hypothermia and prolonged sedentary activity;
• Conditions and diseases that reduce immune protection (pregnancy and diabetes);
• Chronic foci of infection – sore throat, rhinitis or tooth decay;
• immunosuppressants, stress and instability of the nervous system;
• back injuries;
• early sexual relationships;
• neglect of hygiene;
• Age factor.

Forms of cystitis and features of manifestation

Cystitis in women can manifest itself in various forms due to morphological changes in the cavity wall of the bladder.

• Catarrhal pathology is characterized by hyperemia and swelling of the mucous layer of the organ membrane, caused by the action of the inflammatory process.
• In the hemorrhagic form, bleeding areas of damage appear on the mucous membrane.There is an increase in red blood cells and macrohematuria (dark or red urine).
• In the necrotic (ulcerative) form, deep depressions can be seen in the form of grooves that penetrate into the muscle tissue of the membrane.
• The follicular form of the disease is characterized by tuberosity of the mucous layer, which is caused by the formation of follicular tubercles under the mucous membrane, which do not change the surface of the cavity itself.
• Fibrous appearance – the surface of the mucous layer is covered with a purulent or fibrous film of whitish or purple color.The walls of the bladder become inflamed, the upper lining of the cavity becomes denser, and wrinkles form.
• Bullous cystitis is manifested by persistent excessive redness and significant accumulation of infiltrate (swelling) of the upper layer of the internal bladder mucosa.
• The polypoid manifestation is characterized by a long-term inflammatory process that provokes the development of polyps on the mucous layer and in the neck region of the organ.
• In cystic pathology, individual or groups of cystic neoplasms are formed under the mucous membrane of the bladder, which are filled with lymphoid tissue and surrounded by modified epithelium.
• The crusting type of pathology is characterized by a long course.A characteristic symptom is the formation of phosphate deposits (incrustations) on the walls of the bladder cavity, which subsequently contribute to stone formation.The conversion of carbamide (urea) into alkali occurs through the fault of metabolic bacterial microorganisms.

Signs and symptoms of cystitis in women

In acute cases, vivid symptoms of cystitis and pronounced signs of illness are observed in women, accompanied by general intoxication (malaise, weakness, chills, vomiting or nausea, slight increase in temperature).

If the disease recurs regularly (more than twice a year) after remission (apparent recovery), it enters the chronic stage.In women, the symptoms of chronic cystitis may be less pronounced.

The inflammatory processes alternate with the remission stage and the acute clinical course.Cystitis in remission shows no external signs and symptoms.As the disease worsens, many characteristic symptoms appear:

1. Increased urge to urinate (every 20 minutes);
2. Pain, burning and stinging along the urethra at the time of passing urine;
3. pain in the suprapubic area (can be an independent symptom or accompanied by urine output);
4. Unpleasant smell and cloudiness of urine, formation of flakes, pus or blood clots in it;
5. feeling of residual urine in the urine bag;
6. pain in the lumbar and kidney areas;
7. Enuresis (urinary incontinence) may develop.

Chronic cystitis in womenhas various signs of the clinical course of the disease.

• The latent course is stable, with rare or frequent exacerbation processes.The symptoms are “erased” or completely absent.
• The persistent type is manifested by symptoms characteristic of chronic pathology.In this case, the functions of the urinal are not affected.Alternating remission and exacerbation, signs of bleeding in the organ are possible.
• The interstitial course is characterized by stable, painful manifestations with clearly pronounced symptoms.The inflammation spreads deep into the tissue and disrupts the reservoir function (enuresis).This is the most serious type of illness.

If treated in a timely manner, the disease can be treated quickly, otherwise complications cannot be avoided.

Possibility of complications

Lack of or incorrectly selected therapy leads to a relapse and complication of the disease:

1. The transition of inflammatory processes into the muscular structure of the bladder wall - the development of interstitial pathology.
2. Ascending spread of infection affecting the overlying organs of the urinary system, which contributes to the formation of associated background pathologies – damage to the renal pelvis, purulent inflammation of the kidneys, etc.
3. Intraperitoneal rupture of the bladder (not excluded) with subsequent development of peritonitis.

Cystitis - which doctor should a woman contact?

If signs of the disease appear, you need to consult a urologist to confirm the diagnosis.It is this doctor who solves urological problems.

To exclude the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases, you must consult a gynecologist.You may need a vaginal flora smear, which will help identify the disease and determine its stage of development.

Diagnostics – identifying the disease

To detect the disease, various types of diagnostic examinations are used, from express diagnostics to conventional examination methods, including:

• Examination of blood and urine parameters;
• Identification of hidden inflammatory processes in the urinary system;
• Diagnosis of infectious diseases using PCR analysis;
• Tank seeds for plants – detection of UPM (bacteria);
• Identification of underlying diseases – ultrasound of the genitourinary system;
• analysis for vaginal dysbiosis;
• Biopsy;
• endoscopic examination of the internal bladder cavity (cystoscopy).

How to treat cystitis in women?- Drugs and medication

How quickly cystitis in women can be cured depends on a correctly drawn up treatment protocol.Treatment tactics include various therapy techniques.

In drug therapy, for chronic cystitis in women, appropriate antibiotics are prescribed to suppress concomitant infections - a class of cephalosporins and a combination of protected penicillins.

They are prescribed immediately, without waiting for the pathogen to be identified, with subsequent adjustment of medications.

The main treatment is tableting.When treating cystitis in women, tablets are prescribed to relieve symptoms.These include anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, antispasmodics and uroseptics based on nitrofurans and sulfonamides.As additional treatment, antispasmodics and natural uroseptics (herbs, herbs, etc.) can be prescribed.

Certain medications are prescribed purely individually.Since many of them have a number of contraindications and restrictions on use.The treatment will be successful if you follow a gentle regimen and a balanced diet, as nutrition plays an important role.

• it is necessary to drink more fluids (still water, juices);
• more foods that contain vitamin C;
• exclude smoked meats, spices, fried foods, dishes rich in potassium (dishes made from cottage cheese, cheese and milk) from the diet;
• Alcohol is not allowed.

Measures to prevent cystitis

To prevent a relapse of the disease, you should strictly follow your doctor's recommendations.Basic rules:

• Avoid hypothermia and prolonged sitting.
• consume up to 1.5 liters.fluid per day;
• Avoid urine stagnation (do not endure the urge);
• Use protective methods during intimacy.
• Do not neglect personal hygiene (especially during the menstrual cycle).

Following these simple rules will protect you from re-treatment of the disease.