Among many urological diseases, cystitis in women is the most common pathology.The etymology is due to damage to the upper mucous layer of the inner walls of the bladder from the inflammatory process.Sometimes the submucosal 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 are much more likely to suffer from cystitis (up to 80% of all patients).This is due to the peculiarities of the female anatomical structure of the urethral canal.It is wider and shorter than the male urethra, which does not make it difficult for infectious agents.
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 genesis is associated with bacterial carriers: coliform bacteria (in 70%), spherical staphylococci and other bacteria.The main role in the occurrence of cystitis in women is given to the spread of infection from possible lesions in the body:
- In the underlying organs (various forms of vulvovaginitis);
- Descending path with leakage of urine from foci of inflammation in the kidneys and upper parts of the ureter;
- Hematogenous by promoting the pathogen (through the bloodstream).
Often, acute cystitis in women develops as a result of structural underdevelopment of the excretory system or oncological neoplasms that create an obstacle to the normal excretion of urine, contribute to its acute retention in the excretory system and the development of infection.
The development of the pathology is influenced by various factors that contribute to a decrease in the general resistance (resistance) of the immune system:
- Acute and chronic infectious diseases in the history (previously passed) - inflammation of the appendages, fallopian tubes or ovaries, acute or purulent pyelonephritis, inflammation of the urethra;
- Hypothermia and prolonged sedentary work;
- Conditions and diseases that reduce immune defense (pregnancy and diabetes);
- Chronic foci of infection - sore throat, rhinitis or caries;
- Immunosuppressive drugs, stress and instability of the nervous system;
- Back injuries;
- Early sexual relations;
- Neglect of hygiene;
- Age factor.
Forms of cystitis and features of manifestation
Cystitis in women can manifest itself in different forms, due to morphological changes in the wall of the bladder cavity.
- Catarrhal pathology is characterized by hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane of the organ membrane, provoked by the action of the inflammatory process.
- In the hemorrhagic form of the mucous membrane, bleeding areas of damage appear.There is an increase in red blood cells and gross hematuria (dark or red urine).
- In the necrotic (ulcer) form, deep depressions are noted in the form of channels that penetrate the muscle tissue of the membrane.
- The follicular form of the disease is characterized by tuberosis of the mucous layer, 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 fibrin film of a whitish or purple color.The walls of the bladder become inflamed, the upper lining of the cavity becomes thicker and wrinkled.
- Bullous cystitis is manifested by prolonged excessive redness and a significant accumulation of infiltrate (swelling) of the upper layer of the inner lining of the bladder.
- The polyposis manifestation is characterized by a prolonged inflammatory process that provokes the development of polyps on the mucous layer and in the cervical region of the organ.
- In case of cystic pathology, single or group cystic neoplasms filled with lymphatic tissue and surrounded by a modified epithelium are formed under the layer of the mucous membrane of the bladder.
- The encrusting 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 the formation of stones.The conversion of urea (urea) into a base occurs through the fault of bacterial microorganisms capable of metabolism.
Signs and symptoms of cystitis in women
Bright symptoms of cystitis and pronounced signs of the disease in women are observed in acute cases, accompanied by general intoxication (malaise, weakness, chills, vomiting or nausea, slight increase in temperature).
When the disease after remission (visible recovery) periodically relapses (more than 2 times a year), it passes into a chronic stage.Symptoms of chronic cystitis in women may be less pronounced.
Inflammatory processes alternate with a stage of remission and an acute clinical course.Cystitis in remission does not show external signs and symptoms.When the disease worsens, many characteristic symptoms appear:
- Increased urge to urinate (every 20 minutes);
- Pain, burning and tingling along the urethral tract during urination;
- Pain in the suprapubic area (can be an independent symptom or accompany urination);
- Unpleasant smell and turbidity of urine, the formation of scales, pus or blood clots in it;
- Sensation of residual urine in the urinary bag;
- Lumbar and kidney pain;
- Enuresis (urinary incontinence) may develop.
Chronic cystitis in womenthere are different signs of the clinical course of the disease.
- The latent course is stable, with rare or frequent exacerbations.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 impaired.Alternation of remission and exacerbation, signs of hemorrhage in the organ are possible.
- The interstitial course is characterized by stable painful signs of manifestation with significantly expressed symptoms.There is a spread of inflammation deep in the tissues, a violation of the reservoir function (enuresis).This is the most severe type of disease.
With timely treatment, the disease can be dealt with quickly, otherwise complications cannot be avoided.
Possibility of complications
Lack of treatment or wrongly selected therapy leads to relapse and complication of the disease:
- The transition of inflammatory processes in the muscular structure of the wall of the bladder - the development of interstitial type of pathology.
- Ascending spread of the infection affecting the upper organs of the excretory system, which contributes to the formation of related background pathologies - damage to the renal pelvis, purulent inflammation of the kidneys, etc.
- Intraperitoneal rupture of the bladder (not excluded) with subsequent formation of peritonitis.
Cystitis - which doctor should a woman consult?
If signs of the disease appear, you should consult a urologist to confirm the diagnosis.It is this doctor who solves urological problems.
To rule out the consequences of STD, you should consult a gynecologist.You may need a smear of vaginal flora, which will help you identify the disease and determine its stage of development.
Diagnosis - identification of the disease
To identify the disease, various types of diagnostic studies are used, from express diagnostics to conventional research methods, including:
- examination of blood and urine indicators;
- identification of hidden inflammatory processes in the urinary system;
- diagnosis of infectious diseases by PCR analysis;
- tank seeding for flora - detection of UPM (bacteria);
- establishment of underlying diseases - ultrasound of the genitourinary system;
- analysis for vaginal dysbiosis;
- biopsy;
- endoscopic examination of the internal cavity of the bladder (cystoscopy).
How to treat cystitis in women?- drugs and medicines
How quickly cystitis in women can be cured depends on a correctly drawn up treatment protocol.Treatment tactics include various therapeutic techniques.
Drug therapy includes prescribing appropriate antibiotics for chronic cystitis in women to suppress co-infections - the cephalosporin class and a combination of protected penicillins.
They are prescribed immediately, without waiting for the identification of the pathogen, with subsequent correction of the drugs.
The main treatment is tableting.In the treatment of cystitis in women, tablets are prescribed to relieve symptoms.These include anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory agents, antispasmodics and uroseptics based on nitrofurans and sulfonamides.Antispasmodics and natural uroseptics (herbs, herbs, etc.) can be prescribed as additional treatment.
Specific drugs are prescribed purely individually.Because many of them have a number of contraindications and restrictions on their use.The treatment will be complete if you follow a sparing regimen and a balanced diet, as diet plays an important role.
- it is necessary to drink more liquid (still water, juices);
- more foods containing vitamin C;
- exclude from the diet smoked meat, spices, fried foods, dishes rich in potassium (curd dishes, cheese and milk);
- Alcohol is prohibited.
Measures to prevent cystitis
To prevent recurrence of the disease, you must strictly adhere to the recommendations of your doctor.Basic rules:
- avoid hypothermia and prolonged sitting;
- consume up to 1.5 liters.fluids per day;
- avoid stagnation of urine (do not resist the urge);
- during intimacy, use protection methods;
- do not neglect personal hygiene (especially during the menstrual cycle).
Following these simple rules will protect you from re-treatment of the disease.