Cystitis in women

Cystitis is one of the most common urinary diseases affecting the female body. In fact, almost every woman encounters it at least once in her life. This disease significantly reduces the quality of life, causes discomfort and discomfort. That is why it is necessary to remove it as soon as possible.

This disease is very insidious psychologically and emotionally. Its appearance leads to the development of certain fears and complexes, and also increases feelings of anxiety and discomfort due to frequent trips to the toilet and abandonment of some familiar things.

What to do if signs of illness appear? Give up trying to get rid of them yourself or waiting for the symptoms to go away on their own. It is better to consult a doctor immediately. Make an appointment with a specialist who will determine the true nature of the problem that has arisen and provide an accurate diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. Doctors conduct a comprehensive assessment of the nature of the pathology and treatment prognosis, carry out diagnosis using modern methods and use high-tech equipment.

What is female cystitis?

Pathology refers to inflammation in acute or chronic form, occurring in the tissues of the bladder (UB) and under the influence of fungal or bacterial infections. However, a non-bacterial pathology is also known.

Cystitis in women is a frequently recurring disease. According to statistics, in half of cases, you have to see a specialist multiple times within a year. As a rule, it is diagnosed in patients of childbearing age. Refusal to treat the acute form of the disease causes the disease to progress to the chronic stage. The latter is characterized by the spread of pathogenic microorganisms to other organs of the genitourinary system, as well as exacerbation of symptoms that occur periodically.

If the disease process lasts for a long time, if left untreated, it will cause complications, including:

• Adhesive formation in MP.
• Malfunctions of the urinary system.
• CKD.
• Bleeding and ulcers on the bladder wall.
• Benign and malignant tumors.

The reason appeared

Usually, inflammation of the bladder lining occurs due to fungi or bacteria entering it. The risk of infection is also increased due to the short and wide female urethra, which allows pathogens to easily enter the urinary tract if intimate hygiene rules are not followed or sexually transmitted pathologies develop. sexual route.

The main factors that cause inflammation in the bladder of the female body are:

• Infections, including those transmitted through unprotected sex. In this case, the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms is of a gradual nature. They first enter the vagina and urethra.
• Special manipulations and surgical intervention. For example, long-term bladder catheterization significantly increases the likelihood of developing inflammatory processes.
• The use of some detergents and intimate hygiene care products, which can cause strong reactions in the body.
• Exposure to low temperatures causes reduced immunity. It is worth understanding that just being in cold weather cannot cause pathology. Such a stay will become a stimulus for the development of cystitis in women with low immunity.

It is also necessary to take into account provoking factors, including:

• Chronic infection in any location.
• Gynecological diseases of an inflammatory nature have recently occurred.
• Disruption in the hormonal system.
• Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
• Chaotic intimate life.
• Fat.
• Long-term use of some drugs leads to a decrease in the body's protective ability.
• Other pathologies, including diabetes mellitus, as well as the presence of chronic foci of infection in the body.

Symptoms of cystitis in women

Symptoms of the disease are diverse, which is due to the variety of its forms. The main symptoms of all forms of cystitis are described below:

• The appearance of discomfort and tension in the area where the MP is placed.
• Feeling the need to urinate more often than usual, this has nothing to do with the amount of fluid consumed.
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Impaired urine flow, manifested by small amounts of urine being excreted with a constant feeling of bladder fullness.
• Urine is brown or reddish in color and has a strong odor that is different from normal.
• Discomfort during bladder emptying, manifested by pain and burning.
• Bloating.
• False urge to defecate.
• Transferring pain to other areas of the pelvis.
• There is blood or mucus in the urine, its turbidity.
• Sleep disorders.

Additionally, signs of cystitis in women include chills, excessive sweating, weakness, and a slight increase in body temperature. In some cases, urinary incontinence may occur due to pathological damage to the muscle layer of the bladder.

The chronic form of the disease is characterized by mild symptoms, and its presence can only be expressed by too frequent urination. Signs of chronic disease become more intense during exacerbations.

Diagnosis of cystitis

The first signs of pathology should be a reason to make an appointment with a specialist. During the appointment, a competent urologist will talk with the patient about existing complaints about the condition, and will also analyze the medical history to identify risk factors for the disease. In some cases, examination of the external genitalia allows us to determine what is the origin of the inflammatory process. In addition, there are laboratory and instrumental diagnostics performed to clarify the cause of unpleasant symptoms.

Before proceeding with the treatment of cystitis in women, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. To do this, the following operations are performed:

• Collect urine to analyze its cellular and biological composition. It is important to explain to the patient the basic rules for preparing and directly collecting urine.
• General blood test from a vein. It is performed to check the presence or absence of other diseases and evaluate the general condition.
• Culture of bacteria in urine, allows you to isolate pathogens using special means. In addition, this technique is aimed at determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to certain drugs, making it possible to choose an effective drug for the treatment of cystitis in women.
• Cystoscopy, which involves examining the lining of the bladder by inserting a thin tube with a camera on the end through the urethra. The image is displayed on the screen and the doctor has the opportunity to evaluate the condition of the tissues. Tissue samples may be taken for further histological examination.
• Ultrasound examination of the kidneys and bladder.

Treatment of cystitis

The treatment program is prescribed by the doctor and determined by the identified provocateurs of the development of the inflammatory process. Effective therapy should be aimed at fighting pathogens and other factors that are the cause of unpleasant symptoms.

In case the disease progresses acutely, the specialist will prescribe antibacterial drugs even before receiving the examination results. This is necessary to minimize the risk of complications. Next, the treatment process can be adjusted to achieve the best results. In all cases, the decision on how to treat cystitis in women must be made by a qualified doctor.

Antibiotics

Drugs in this group have the ability to kill pathogens as well as stop the infection to prevent its spread to other organs. In the initial stages of treatment of acute diseases, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed, which are effective against gram-negative bacteria. If test results show that the isolated organism is not sensitive to these drugs, therapy may need to be adjusted. In case of chronic diseases, the drug is prescribed after receiving the results of the diagnosis.

The duration of antibiotic treatment for cystitis in women ranges from three to fourteen days. During this time you need to see a doctor.

Diuretic

This group includes drugs with a diuretic effect. Their consumption increases the amount of urine outflow, which leads to the washing of pathogenic flora from the body, as well as reducing the level of irritants. Diuretics are prescribed relatively rarely as a tool to combat this disease. Basically, experts prioritize herbal options.

Antispasmodic drugs

Medications in this group have also been shown to be effective in addressing urinary problems such as cystitis in women. Taking antispasmodics in pill form does not have a targeted effect in the bladder area. In this case, there is a systemic effect at the level of all vessels and organs.

It is argued that prescribing drugs of this group as part of disease treatment is unjustified. This is because they act on the muscle layer of the bladder, while the pathology is inflammation of its mucous membrane, which has nothing to do with the muscles.

Vitamin preparations

Vitamins are used during rehabilitation to restore and maintain the body's immune functions. In addition, they can be prescribed as a component of the main treatment and for preventive purposes.

The choice of certain vitamin preparations, as well as their dosage, is based on several aspects, including the general condition and health of the patient, the form of the inflammatory process, etc. v. Cystitis requires the use of vitamins, which:

• helps strengthen local immunity;
• stimulates bladder activity;
• accelerates tissue regeneration.

All of the above functions work fine:

• Multivitamins contain at least two ingredients.
• Vitamin complex is indicated for cystitis in women. Contains useful elements and minerals. Promotes recovery and overall strengthening of the body.
• Monovitamins are prescribed for severe immunodeficiencies and chronic diseases, characterized by frequent exacerbations.

It is important to remember that self-prescription of vitamin preparations, suppositories, ointments or tablets for cystitis in women is strictly prohibited. The choice of this or that drug and determining its optimal dosage, as well as the frequency of taking the drug and the duration of the treatment course are determined only by the doctor.

Features of the diet for cystitis

The effectiveness of treatment largely depends on the diet that a woman follows during treatment. Certain rules regarding the consumption of certain foods and drinks should be followed throughout the entire course of therapy. These rules mean:

• Exclude condiments, sauces, smoked meats and pickles. You should also avoid sweets and fried foods. You should try to reduce your salt intake as much as possible. Alcoholic and carbonated drinks, as well as tea and coffee, should be banned.
• Reduce consumption of fish, poultry and fatty meats.
• Minimize consumption of milk and fermented milk products. It is allowed to consume unsalted and low-fat cheese, yogurt and low-fat cheese and milk in small quantities.
• Increase the proportion of fresh fruits and vegetables in the daily diet, as well as vegetable oils, cereals and bran.

Cystitis in pregnant women

In case the disease is diagnosed in a pregnant woman, it is imperative to follow the rules described below:

• Do not arbitrarily use antibiotics to eliminate the problem unless prescribed by your doctor. This is because taking antibacterial drugs can have a negative effect on the fetus, and only a qualified specialist will know which drugs are safe during pregnancy.
• Avoid instillation, which involves introducing liquid medication into the urethra and bladder. This operation is very dangerous for pregnant women because it can cause miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy.
• Avoid using drugs that belong to the non-steroidal group and have anti-inflammatory effects, which can cause the development of pathology in the child.
• Do not undergo physical therapy treatment.
• Minimize the frequency of hot baths, and avoid going to saunas, saunas, and saunas to avoid overheating, which can cause increased uterine tone.

Treatment of pathology in the later stages of pregnancy is almost no different from the treatment prescribed in the early stages. However, in this case, the threat to the child from taking the drug is significantly reduced.

It is worth remembering that self-medication is prohibited. Only a doctor will determine what to do about cystitis in women during pregnancy. Therefore, you need to immediately report the first signs of illness to your gynecologist and strictly follow all recommendations received.

Prevent

The risk of developing the disease can be reduced by taking simple precautions. They provide:

• Avoid hypothermia.
• Make sure the bladder is emptied at the first urge.
• Maintain a healthy intimate life, avoid promiscuous and unprotected relationships.
• Consume clean drinking water every day in sufficient amounts.
• Promptly treat any infections of the genitourinary system.
• Comply with personal hygiene rules.

Prevention of cystitis in women is also associated with constant bowel movements. An active lifestyle is also important, so you should include physical activity in your daily schedule. Thanks to this, you can get rid of congestion in the pelvic organs and stabilize the urination process.

The disease is characterized by extremely unpleasant and rapidly progressive symptoms that significantly reduce quality of life. However, the right approach to treatment allows you to quickly forget about pain, discomfort and other signs, and also prevent the development of unwanted complications. Specialists will provide a professional approach to the diagnosis and treatment of cystitis, and will also tell you about the rules of behavior necessary to prevent the disease.

Frequently asked questions

Many women are interested in information about this disease because it is one of the most common urinary diseases. If you are knowledgeable about preventative measures, as well as the signs of cystitis and possible treatments, you can deal with the problem much easier if it occurs. Below are frequently asked questions about the pathology, as well as detailed answers to them.

Is there such a disease as chronic cystitis?

Failure to promptly treat the acute form of the disease will lead to a transition to the chronic stage. Chronic cystitis is defined as cystitis that occurs at least twice within six months or includes three recurring episodes within a year. There are the following types:

• Primary, characterized by the initial development of inflammation in the bladder.
• Secondary, in which the inflammatory process first appears in neighboring organs and then spreads to the MP.

How painful is cystitis in women?

The disease is characterized by a rather painful process. As it develops, the woman begins to feel pain in the lower lumbar region as well as in the lower abdomen. In addition, painful and burning sensations are observed when urinating. The bladder always feels full, despite the fact that the bladder is constantly urged to empty, resulting in the release of small amounts of urine.

What infection causes cystitis in women?

The main infectious agent of the disease is Escherichia coli. It accounts for about 80% of all cases of cystitis in women. But its pathogens can also be other microorganisms, including those that cause STIs. The penetration of pathogens into the bladder does not always lead to pathology, because the body's protective functions are aimed at fighting it.

Causes of frequent cystitis

The main factor causing recurrence of disease episodes is the behavioral aspect:

• Having promiscuous sex.
• Taking antibiotics negatively affects the microflora of the vagina and intestines.
• Frequently change partners.

Women at risk of recurrent disease are:

• People who use spermicide to prevent pregnancy.
• Post-menopause.

Among the reasons that can lead to redevelopment:

• Urine remaining after urination, the cause is genital prolapse.
• Reduce estrogen levels.
• Characteristics of the position of the urethra due to anatomical abnormalities.

Can cystitis cause urinary incontinence?

The disease can lead to unpleasant conditions such as urinary incontinence. It occurs due to pathological damage to the muscle layer of the bladder, due to which it cannot function normally.

Can cystitis cause constipation?

Constipation may play a role in the development of the pathology. The fact is that the bladder and intestines are located very close to each other, and when feces accumulate in the second part, pressure occurs in the first part. As a result, blood circulation in the pelvic organs is disturbed, eventually disrupting their function and causing inflammation.

Constipation with cystitis in women may occur. But it has nothing to do with this disease.

What can you do about cystitis with guardianship?

Treatment of the disease during lactation should be carried out with caution, because during treatment the disease affects not only the health of the mother, but also that of the child. Only a competent doctor can choose a suitable and, most importantly, safe treatment regimen. In this case, the prescribed drugs are not excreted in breast milk or do not have a toxic effect on the child's body.

Taking any medication without a doctor's prescription is strictly prohibited. To ease the symptoms of the disease, you can use:

• Apply dry heat to the lower abdomen.
• Antispasmodics are allowed during breastfeeding.

It is recommended to follow a special diet and stay in bed. The decision on the possibility of continuing breastfeeding is made by the doctor, taking into account the medications prescribed to the mother.

Can you eat sweets when you have cystitis?

To increase the effectiveness of treatment aimed at eliminating pathology, a special diet should be followed. It involves excluding certain drinks and foods from the diet, including sweets. Once fully recovered, you can return to your normal lifestyle and diet.