The danger of cystitis is not only in the painfulness of the symptoms - the lack of proper treatment is full of complications, especially in women; improper selection and use of drugs can lead to life-threatening consequences.
Causes and pathogenesis
A predisposing factor in the development of cystitis in women is the features of the anatomical structure of their urinary tract - a short, wide urethra that allows microbes to penetrate unhindered. Anal and vaginal openings located near the urethra increase the risk of infection.
Another physiological feature that affects the frequent development of pathology in women is a larger bladder than men, which allows you to endure the urge to go to the toilet for a long time. Periodic stagnation of urine leads to the persistence and spread of infection in the organ cavity.
The development of the inflammatory process is facilitated by wearing tight or synthetic underwear, creating the effect of a thermos, as well as non-compliance with the rules of personal intimate hygiene and indiscriminate sexual intercourse.
Germs enter the bladder either ascending (via the urethra) or descending (via the ureters from the kidneys). Infection with lymph flow from the pelvic organs is possible. Rarer, but most likely, the hematogenous route of infection from distant inflammatory sites - from the nasopharynx, carious tooth cavities.
The most common causative agent of the disease is E. coli or streptococcus, less often - viruses, yeast-like fungi or sexually transmitted infections: gonococcus, trichomonas.
Normally, the mucous membrane of the bladder is protected from infections by glycocalyx, a protective substance produced under the influence of female sex hormones. The cavity of a healthy body is not sterile - single cells of pathogenic microflora may be there, but the active development of microbes is blocked by the immune forces of the body. In addition, the infection is eliminated by the periodic flow of urine.
The development of acute cystitis can be triggered by:
- reduced immunity due to hypothermia, ARVI, nervous overexertion, stress, physical fatigue;
- allergy to certain drugs;
- pyelonephritis, urolithiasis, accompanied by urinary flow disorders;
- diabetes;
- late stages of pregnancy;
- menopause, a state of imbalance of female sex hormones.
Cystitis can occur in acute and chronic forms. The latter is the result of improper treatment, persistent kidney dysfunction and systemic diseases associated with hormonal imbalance.
Development of acute cystitis
The disease always begins suddenly, most often at night or the next morning after getting wet feet, getting wet in the rain, or sitting on something cold. The symptoms are bright and painful, it is impossible not to see them:
- nagging pain in the lower abdomen above the pubis, spreading to the lumbosacral region;
- nocturia - the urge to urinate every 10-15 minutes;
- dysuria - a feeling of constant fullness of the bladder;
- urination is scanty, difficult, drop by drop, accompanied by sharp cutting pain, burning, itching;
- the color may be cloudy, with flakes, pus or blood mixtures;
- weakness, weakness, headache, fever, low-grade fever or high temperature.
The inflammatory process often affects the urethra, as a result of which pain and itching develop, urethritis develops.
In such a situation, there is no question of performance. It is best to consult a doctor immediately.
Treatment starting in the first hours of the disease increases the chances of getting rid of cystitis forever.
Diagnostics
To treat cystitis, you should consult a urologist, gynecologist, or an infectious disease specialist.
You need to pass a number of tests:
- general urinalysis;
- microscopic examination of urine;
- bacterial culture to determine the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibiotics;
- An ultrasound of the bladder is necessary for the absence of changes in the deep submucosal and muscle layers of the bladder, polyps, and cysts.
Cystitis is indicated by a high level of leukocytes - leukocyturia more than 2000/ml.
Based on the composition of red blood cells and cylindrical forms in the urine, it is possible to determine related problems and factors that lead to the development of cystitis: traumatic kidney damage, urolithiasis, acute and chronic glomerulonephritis, nephropathies, purulent abscesses, toxic lesions. urinary system, the presence of viruses.
In addition, a gynecological examination is necessary - analysis of vaginal smear for the presence of sexually transmitted infections and pathogenic microflora.
Such a detailed history will help to reliably determine the cause of inflammation and the degree of damage to organ tissue.
Treatment with antibiotics
For the treatment of acute infectious cystitis, which is not burdened with complications, a course of antibiotics is prescribed for a period of 2 to 7 days. Tetracycline preparations based on clavulanic acid from the group of penicillins and fluoroquinolones are used.
The choice of medicine is made by the doctor based on the results of pathogen sensitivity tests. Spontaneous use of drugs can only suppress symptoms and contribute to the development of a slow inflammatory process. The developed resistance of microbes will complicate further treatment by narrowing the range of effective drugs.
You cannot independently extend the prescribed period of taking antibiotics - there will be a danger of developing dysbacteriosis and immunodeficiency conditions due to the suppression of the normal internal microflora of the body.
In addition to antibiotics, antispasmodics, analgesics and herbal medicines in tablets and other dosage forms are prescribed to relieve symptoms during the treatment of cystitis in women.
Herbal medicines and dietary supplements
Complexes based on plant raw materials are non-toxic, have anti-inflammatory, diuretic, choleretic, antimicrobial effects, strengthen the work of antibiotics without disturbing the balance of microflora. They can be taken for a long time - from 2 weeks to 1 month during the treatment of acute and chronic cystitis. The selection of funds is quite wide:
- tablets with cranberry extract - a well-known natural antibiotic and diuretic. Cranberry has an astringent and anti-inflammatory effect, accelerates the removal of infection with urine;
- capsules with ascorbic acid, cranberry, bear and horsetail are designed for the prevention and treatment of cystitis as part of complex therapy;
- herbal remedy for cystitis based on medicinal plants. Available as solutions and dragees containing centaury, lovage herb, rosemary;
- a natural complex based on the oils of orange, pine, sage and other plants. Available as a thick green paste. Before taking, a small amount of the product should be dissolved in hot water;
- the product produced in the form of tablets contains extracts of hops, mint, oregano and fir oil;
- a drug designed to treat urolithiasis and prevent bladder infections. It contains kidney tea, curly silkworm leaves, papaya, cubed pepper. Available in capsules and tablets. In addition to an obvious diuretic effect, the product stops the inflammatory process in the urinary tract, improves its permeability, cleans sand and dissolves small kidney stones, acts as a spasmolytic and pain reliever.
Antispasmodics
Myotropic antispasmodics are prescribed to relieve pain, relax the smooth muscles of the bladder and facilitate the passage of urine. Medicines relieve severe symptoms, reduce pain and discomfort caused by contraction of muscle fibers.
A single dose should not exceed 2-3 tablets. An overdose can cause dizziness, drowsiness and a drop in blood pressure. Remember that an antispasmodic only provides temporary relief, but does not cure the disease.
Analgesics
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 a general anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Side effects are rare but possible, so be sure to check with your doctor before using medications to check their safety. Contraindications for taking products containing propionic acid derivatives include severe kidney and liver failure, pregnancy and early childhood up to 6 years of age.
Probiotics
In order to prevent dysbacteriosis and disorders of the gastrointestinal tract when taking antibiotics, preparations containing natural complexes of lactobacteria and bifidobacteria are used - probiotics. The products have proven to protect and restore the microflora of the female genital organs, strengthen local immunity and reduce the undesirable consequences of antibiotic treatment. There are several contraindications for taking probiotics - sensitivity to the components of the drugs or an allergic reaction.
Dry and moist heat treatment is effective for uncomplicated acute cystitis. Hot steam and sitz baths with a decoction of St. John's wort or yarrow are useful: for a steam bath, a warm herbal decoction is poured into the basin. It is necessary to squat on the coming steam and sit for 10-15 minutes. The steam should be hot but not burning. For sitting baths, a decoction of medicinal plants is added to the water at a temperature of about 45 ° C.
At rest, you can apply a warm heating pad to the lower abdomen - where the bladder is located.
Thermal procedures stimulate inter-tissue exchange and have a relaxing, analgesic and antispasmodic effect.
Heating is allowed only in the absence of inflammatory processes in the genitals, otherwise such treatment can cause additional damage.
Additional treatments
Bladder massage techniques can be used as an additional treatment.
- Lying on your back, bend your knees slightly (you can put a support or a pillow under your back).
- Place the fingers of both hands on the belly 2-3 fingers below the navel.
- Exhale, gently and deeply press the abdominal wall until you feel a slight pain inside, release your hands after a few seconds and press the stomach again. Repeat 5 or 6 times.
Movements are aimed at eliminating diuresis delays, congestion and accelerating blood circulation in the bladder area. If the massage is done correctly, a strong desire to visit the toilet will appear after its completion.
During the treatment of cystitis, it is necessary to drink more liquid than usual to wash the bladder. In addition to clean drinking water, it is useful to drink slightly alkaline mineral water without gas, fruit drinks made from cranberries, black and red currants, cherries, sea buckthorn and other berries. Acidic drinks have an antimicrobial effect, prevent the infection from spreading in the walls of the body, and accelerate the removal of inflammatory products from the bladder cavity.
Decoctions and infusions of fennel, chamomile, parsley, lingonberry leaves, millet seeds and herbs have a high diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. To prepare them, 2 tablespoons of crushed raw materials are poured into 1 liter of boiling water, boiled for 15 minutes in a water bath and left for about an hour. The liquid is carefully filtered and consumed 1 cup warm 3 times a day.
Diuretic drinks should be used with caution in cases of renal insufficiency, hypertension or hypotension.
During the treatment of cystitis, hot spices, acidic and salty foods, confectionery, carbonated sweet drinks, strong coffee, alcohol should be excluded from the diet. These products interfere with the excretory function of the kidneys, contribute to the accumulation of uric acid and irritate the urinary tract.
Chronic cystitis
Acute cystitis is not started on time or incorrect and careless treatment leads to an advanced chronic form with periodic relapses. Chronic cystitis is a long-lasting disease. Periods of remission or a slow inflammatory process, during which the disease is practically not felt, are replaced by a sharp exacerbation of symptoms.
The danger of chronic cystitis is not only in severe discomfort and pain during exacerbations. The focus of inflammation that exists for a long time in the bladder affects the deep layers of the body and contributes to the formation of difficult morphological forms of the disease: interstitial, cystic, hemorrhagic, gangrenous cystitis, polypous growths. Not only the mucous membrane, but also the submucosal layer, muscle tissue and the circulatory system of the body are involved in the inflammatory process. Gradually, the affected areas are replaced by rough scar tissue, the organ loses its elasticity and ceases to cope with its functions.
In addition, the inflammatory process can spread to nearby organs, causing the development of paracystitis - peri-vesical tissue damage, pyelonephritis. The gradual spread of the infection can lead to the development of adnexitis, adhesion of the fallopian tubes and subsequent infertility.
Exacerbation of the chronic process in pregnant women is inevitable, it is affected by changes in hormonal levels, fluctuations in immunity, compression of internal organs by the growing uterus, which additionally causes urinary stagnation and an inflammatory process. The most serious complication of cystitis in pregnant women is acute pyelonephritis with severe intoxication of the body and the threat of miscarriage.
Treatment of complex forms of cystitis is carried out in the hospital. In addition to taking medication, the following types of therapy can be prescribed:
- instillation - introduction of drug solutions that remove toxins and have an anti-inflammatory effect into the bladder cavity;
- physiotherapy - treatment with electric current pulses, iontophoresis, UHF, mud applications, acupuncture;
- position therapy - special poses that help to remove the blockage and restore the patency of the urinary tract. The method is suitable for pregnant women;
- surgical treatment - laser cauterization or excision of the affected bladder tissue. In severe cases, when organ functions are completely lost, they resort to plastic surgery of the bladder from their own intestinal tissue.
The treatment period for chronic cystitis is several months. The course is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process, preventing complications, maximizing recovery of the urinary system, and preventing irreversible changes in the structure of organ tissues.
The main measures for the prevention of cystitis: observing hygiene rules, wearing underwear made of natural fabrics, choosing shoes and clothes suitable for the weather and season, timely treatment of colds and chronic pathologies, taking general strengthening vitamin complexes.