Cystitis is a disease of the bladder. This is a very unpleasant disease, which is very rare in men and children, because to a greater extent it is characteristic of the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. Most often manifests itself in spring and early summer, after the slightest hypothermia. However, this is not the only cause of cystitis.
General characteristics of pathology
Cystitis is a disease that can appear against a background of a huge number of factors, therefore it is assigned to the group of polyetiological pathologies. The causative agents of cystitis can be staphylococci, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other bacteria. Trichomonads, chlamydia and worms can be added to them. Statistics show that in 80–90% of cases, cystitis occurs against the background of the presence of E. coli in the body. The danger of kidney infection exists in both acute and chronic forms of the disease.
How can infection get
Despite the rather strong protection of the bladder from the causative agents of cystitis, under certain conditions, microorganisms can penetrate inside. In particular, bacteria are likely to enter the urethra. This form of penetration is called urethral or ascending. It occurs most often.
The next form is called descending, that is, the infection "descends" into the bladder from above, passing through the kidney through the ureter.
The lymphogenous form is characterized by the penetration of bacteria along the lymphatic paths, from neighboring organs, as a rule, the pelvis, since it is between them that there is a direct lymphatic path.
There is also a hematogenous pathway. In this case, the bacteria “travel” through the blood vessels: the infection enters the bladder even from distant, infected organs and systems.
Directly, bacteria enter the bladder extremely rarely. This can happen due to opening the wound directly into the bladder. There is a chance of infection due to injury to the bladder or pelvic organs.
Risk group
Most often, the causative agents of cystitis penetrate the body of women who already have thrush or other chronic genital infections.
Fear of the appearance of cystitis should also be for those who are diagnosed with urolithiasis or have hormonal disorders. Naturally, as with many other pathologies, cystitis appears in people with weakened immune systems.
The bacterial nature of the origin of the disease
The main causative agent of cystitis in women is E. coli.
The category of bacteria of natural origin also includes:
- Klebsiella;
- enterococcus;
- proteom;
- staphylococcus
The ingress of these bacteria occurs against the background of a decrease in immunity or in the case when the outflow of urine is impaired. That is, complete emptying of the bladder does not occur, as a result of which bacteria begin to multiply in it.
Symptoms with the bacterial nature of the origin of cystitis are the same as in other cases: there is a burning sensation during urination, there are false urges, sometimes cutting pains. There may be an unpleasant odor from the urine, which appears against the background of the presence of bacteria in it.
Treatment
Therapy in this case involves the use of a number of drugs:
- Amoxiclav;
- "Cefazolin";
- Norbactin and others.
If the causative agents of cystitis are of bacterial origin, then, as a rule, pathology can be cured in a fairly short time - about 7 days. Of the latest generation of medicines, the Monural drug is presented on the pharmaceutical market - it is an antibacterial agent that requires only a single dose.
Extremely rare, but still very severe pathologies are encountered, in which even washing the bladder is required . Do this with special antiseptic agents. But such a procedure brings a lot of discomfort to the patient, since it requires the use of a Foley catheter.
Viral nature of origin
In this case, the causative agents of cystitis are most often viruses that are already in the body, including the herpes virus. The second condition for the development of pathology is a decrease in the body's immune forces. Thus, viruses that infect the immune system also fall into this category:
In light of this, the treatment of viral cystitis is possible only with the correct treatment of the underlying disease - a provocateur of the inflammatory process in the bladder.
Fungal nature of origin
The development of this type of cystitis is also possible only against the background of a weakening of the patient's immunity. In this case, infection of the bladder occurs in an ascending way, that is, in addition to a weakened organism, a fungal infection must also get into it.
Most often, patients encounter a candida fungus. The disease is characteristic of pregnant women, as they weaken the work of the entire protective system, which works for two during this period.
This type of bacteria penetration is also characteristic of men; this can happen against the background of unprotected intercourse with a woman who, for example, has a thrush.
Therapeutic measures
If acute cystitis began, and the introduction of pathogens occurred against the background of the penetration of a fungal infection, then the treatment is based on the following drugs:
- "Mycosept";
- Lamisil
- "Fluconazole."
These drugs have a mycocidal effect, that is, they affect most of the fungi.
Helminths
Even extraneous living organisms can cause cystitis. We are talking about helminthic invasions. How can they affect the bladder? The fact is that some worms are able to destroy not only intestinal tissue, but also the bladder. This pathology is quite severe and you can get rid of it exclusively by surgery. The second danger of worms - their presence in the bladder is the reason for the attachment of a bacterial infection, as a result of which complications begin.
Other factors for the development of pathology
In addition to the above pathogens, acute cystitis can appear against the background of wearing tight underwear, especially from synthetic materials. It is artificial materials that contribute to the reproduction of bacteria, and in fact we are talking about the genitals.
There is a high probability of the occurrence of the disease in people who often change sexual partners or prefer unprotected sex. In addition to the bladder itself, even the urinary tract can become inflamed.
Features of the disease in childhood
Cystitis is not so rare in children, and in both sexes, but still about 5 times more common in girls aged 4 to 12 years. This is due only to the structural features of the genitourinary system.
As in adults, the common causative agent of acute cystitis in children is E. coli, less commonly Klebsiella, epidermal staphylococcus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Although in about 25% of cases, it is generally not possible to diagnose significant bacteria.
At risk are also children who have abnormalities in the structure of internal and external genital organs. For example, in boys it can be - narrowing of the foreskin. If we talk about babies, the cause of cystitis can even become a rarely replaced diaper.
If the disease is detected in a child before reaching one year, then all therapeutic measures are carried out in a hospital.
Chronic and acute form
Regardless of the causative agent of the disease, acute cystitis occurs suddenly, immediately after exposure to a provoking factor, for example, after hypothermia.
The acute form can transform into a chronic one, in particular, due to improperly chosen treatment tactics or even in the absence of treatment. It is also possible provided that other pathology and pathogens “hide” behind cystitis. Chronic cystitis has less severe symptoms compared with an acute form of pathology.
Diagnostic measures
In the choice of treatment tactics, the correct diagnosis plays a huge role. First of all, you need to pass a general urine test and culture on the flora. If the data from these studies are insufficient, then an ultrasound scan, urodynamic examination or cystoscopy is performed.
Treatment
In general, treatment for bladder inflammation is performed with antiviral and antibacterial agents. Also included in the therapy are drugs that activate the immune system. Physiotherapy may even be prescribed.
The course of treatment with antibacterial agents, as a rule, does not exceed 5-7 days. If we are talking about an acute complicated form, then the treatment is extended to 14 days. In cases where the patient complains of frequent manifestations of cystitis, anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, “Aevit” or “Kanefron-N”, which are drunk with courses, can be recommended for no more than 30 days.
In the chronic form of pathology, therapeutic measures are aimed at restoring the norm of urine outflow. In this case, often used drugs, the active substance in which plant extracts. Along with this, it is imperative to get rid of all existing infectious foci in the body, it can be caries or tonsillitis.
During treatment, the patient will have to abandon the use of smoked and fried foods and certainly exclude spices, marinades and spicy dishes.
It is also not recommended to replace traditional therapy with folk remedies, they can only act as an additional treatment, but provided that the use of medicinal herbs will be agreed with the attending physician.
During treatment and as a preventive measure, patients are required to drink at least two liters of water throughout the day. Underwear should be selected only from natural materials. In no case should you delay the treatment, as cystitis can cause the development of other, more complex pathologies, such as kidney failure, pyelonephritis or hematuria.