Cystitis in women

What is cystitis in women?— one of the most common urological diseases is cystitis.It is an inflammation of the bladder wall, which most often occurs in the fairer sex - in 80% of cases.According to statistical data, the prevalence of this disease among the female population in one calendar year is up to 36 million cases.In men, these figures are several times lower.

Almost every woman has experienced unpleasant symptoms of the disease at least once in her life.This is explained by the structural characteristics of the urinary system.The urethra, which has a larger diameter and shorter length than in men, and the close proximity of the vagina and anus allow pathogens to quickly penetrate the bladder cavity.Cystitis that occurs in women aged 16 to 65 and is not accompanied by other pathologies of the urinary system is called uncomplicated.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 main one 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 are not suitable for the weather, for example, too thin tights, short skirts in the cold season.
• Neglect of genital hygiene.This is often what causes cystitis in girls.
• Neurogenic bladder is a problem that occurs not only in children, but also in adults.Associated with impaired voluntary micturition.Due to the increased sensitivity of the bladder receptors, this condition is diagnosed more often in girls than in boys.The result is organ malnutrition, which leads to the rapid development of pathogenic microflora that causes inflammation.
• Hormonal changes that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy, metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus cause the appearance of cystitis.
• Wearing too tight, tight and uncomfortable clothes leads to disruption of blood flow to the organs of the urinary system.
• Radiation therapy for pelvic tumors can cause inflammation.
• Lack of estrogen, changes in the mucous membrane during menopause.
• Bladder wall injury during various endoscopic procedures.
• In girls, cystitis manifests itself during the first sexual intercourse.The reason is an injury to the wall of the urinary bladder, the entry of microflora from the vagina into the urethra.Therefore, an active, energetic sex life also contributes to the development of the disease, when there is a high risk of infection.

Under the influence of these factors, pathogenic microflora develops, which leads to inflammation and the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.

Clinical picture of cystitis

In women, the disease manifests itself suddenly, in a short period of time after the action of a provoking factor (hypothermia, infection, injury).

The first and main 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 visit 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 contrary, suffer from retention of urine (due to spasm of the sphincter) or incontinence (if the cervix of the organ is affected).

A woman feels severe pain in the lower abdomen, which moves to the perineum.The greatest discomfort is felt when emptying the bladder.It is painful, with pain and burning.Unpleasant sensations can occur at the beginning and at the end of the urination process.

One of the constant symptoms is leukocyturia.The color of the urine changes, it becomes cloudy, streaked with pus and blood.With pronounced hematuria, they speak of a hemorrhagic form of cystitis.

The general state of health of the woman 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 depending on the course, cause of occurrence, degree 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, fungi.Urine contains blood, depending on the amount of blood, the color varies from pink to brown.In the absence of treatment, anemia can develop due to a lack of iron, and then a general infection of the body due to blockage of the pathways with blood clots.
• Intermediate.The inflammation is non-infectious and occurs more often in young women.The reason is the lack of glycosaminoglycans, which causes inflammation.It is characterized by severe cutting pains and frequent urges, mostly at night.With a strong sex life, the disease can progress.
• Radiation cystitis.It occurs after radiation, which is used in the treatment of tumors.The procedure affects the sensitivity of the bladder, causes deformation of the walls and organ dysfunction.
• Catarrhal cystitis.In addition to blood, there are stones, sand and an increased content of calcium salts in the urine.Bladder capacity decreases.
• Encrusting.The affected mucosa is covered with salts and fibrin.Drug therapy is not always effective.The best results in treatment are achieved by surgical intervention.
• Cervical cystitis.Named according to the location - the inflammation forms in the neck of the bladder.The specialty is damage to the mucous membrane, as well as the sphincters that regulate urination.A woman often feels false urges, pain in the perineum and lower abdomen.Laboratory analysis of urine reveals a high content of pathogenic microorganisms in it.

The type of disease can only be determined after a complete examination.

Acute and chronic cystitis

Existing differences in the course of the disease make it possible to distinguish its different forms.

Acute cystitis

It progresses quickly and is characterized by pronounced symptoms - dysuria (impeded urination), leukocyturia and terminal hematuria.A woman experiences frequent urges that cause discomfort with strong painful sensations.Dysuric disorders after 5-10 minutes cause a desire to visit the toilet, parts of the excreted urine are scarce.

Chronic cystitis

Its symptoms are similar to the acute form.Exacerbations of the disease occur one or more times throughout the year.It is expressed in the form of frequent and painful urination, severe pain in the pubic area.The characteristics of chronic cystitis> are:

• nocturia – urge to urinate at night;
• dysuria is a constant urge to empty the bladder.

In the phase of remission, symptoms are slow, imperceptible or completely absent.

Diagnostics

Detecting cystitis at an early stage allows you to start treatment in time, to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and other complications.Laboratory and instrumental studies help to establish an accurate diagnosis.They include: general urine test, bacteriological culture, vaginal smear.If necessary, ultrasound, cystoscopy and cystography are prescribed.

The main and mandatory research method is urine analysis.With its help, the degree of the inflammatory process and the type of causative agent are determined.A general analysis allows you to determine how high the number of leukocytes and red blood cells is.The composition contains uric acid salts, mucus and bacteriuria.In the presence of inflammation, the urine takes on a cloudy appearance and may have a reddish tint.

It is not always possible to make an accurate diagnosis based only on laboratory methods.In these cases, the doctor prescribes a cystoscopy - a method that allows you to assess the state of the bladder, the presence of stones, tumors, ulcers and foreign bodies in it.Ultrasound determines the state of the organ walls.

Treatment regimen

It is not difficult to get rid of cystitis if you follow all the instructions of the doctor.The treatment regimen is compiled taking into account the cause of the exacerbation, the type of pathogen and the presence of accompanying diseases.For bacterial cystitis include:

• Antibacterial therapy.
• Taking antispasmodics.
• Special diet.
• Herbal medicine, use of traditional medicine.

In addition to the above methods, physiotherapy and installations are prescribed for recurrent cystitis.Women during menopause are recommended to use hormonal creams containing estrogen.Sitting herbal baths help to improve well-being and relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Drug therapy

Timely treatment with effective methods allows you to completely remove inflammation and restore the mucous membrane.

Antispasmodics are prescribed for pain relief.The natural preparation for the treatment of cystitis has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect.Biologically active substances in its composition have a beneficial effect on the urinary tract and kidneys.

Given the bacterial nature of the disease, the use of antibiotics is a mandatory step in treatment.They are prescribed taking into account the type of cystitis pathogen, the degree of absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, the rate of elimination from the body and side effects.Modern drugs have the ability to remain in the affected organ, which increases their effectiveness, allowing for a shorter course of treatment.

Traditional methods of treatment

Our great-grandmothers knew well what cystitis was and used various traditional medicines to get rid of its unpleasant and painful symptoms.

Blueberry treatment

They use the berries, as well as the leaves of the plant, harvested in early spring, until the nutrients and useful substances are transferred to the flowers and fruits.There are many blueberry recipes in folk medicine:

• Pour boiling water over the berries (2 cups of water per 150 g), leave for an hour, drink 0.5 cups three times a day.
• The leaves of the plant are crushed, poured into a pan, cold water is added and set on fire.After boiling, take it out, let the soup cook for a while, take it before meals 3 times a day for three months.For 60 g of raw materials you will need 1 liter of water.
• For preventive purposes, it is recommended to use cranberry jam and fruit drinks in the diet.

It should be noted that cranberries together with urine wash out potassium and calcium, which a woman needs for health and beauty.It is important, using cranberry decoctions, to enrich the diet with products that compensate for essential microelements (fresh cheese, pumpkin, parsley).

Chamomile for cystitis

The plant is used not only for making teas and decoctions.Local application of chamomile is no less effective in the fight against cystitis.The infusion is used for rinsing.Chamomile decoction restores the damaged mucosa, cleans the inner surface of the bladder from infection 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 chopped raw material into a glass of boiling water and leave for 45 minutes, then filter.

Traditional medicine in the treatment of cystitis is an addition to drug therapy.Their use is possible only after consultation with 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 appear in the body.