Sharp, painful sensations in the lower abdomen, urge to urinate - cystitis gives unpleasant symptoms, the first signs of the disease in women look exactly like this.This is an inflammatory process that occurs in the inner walls of the bladder.The causes and conditions for the development of the disease in women coincide much more often than in men.
What is cystitis
The bladder is a muscular organ located in the pelvic cavity, its upper part, which collects urine before exiting through the urethra.This is how the terminal section of the urinary system is organized in the male and female body.The bladder cavity gradually fills through two ureters, which are channels that carry fluid filtered from the kidneys.When the organ is filled to more than half its volume, the person feels the urge to urinate.This is an unconditioned reflex.
The internal environment of the urinary system is sterile, just like the urine excreted in a healthy person.The ingestion of infectious agents capable of multiplying under these conditions, as well as chemical irritants and allergens, leads to the development of cystitis, the first symptoms of which will immediately indicate disturbances in the described chain.
Inflammatory, allergic and chemical irritation to the bladder can be caused by a variety of reasons.The ways in which irritants penetrate the interior also vary.
For women, the so-called ascending route is more typical, that is, the pathogen enters the cavity, ascending through the external urethra.
The same type of cystitis can be found in a small child, especially a baby, for whom there is no adequate home care, or there is postpartum pathology, organic disorders.
Causes of occurrence in women
It is necessary to clearly understand the difference between the causes and conditions that initiated the signs of cystitis in women.The causes are infectious agents and non-infectious factors.The first group includes:
- opportunistic microorganisms;
- pathogenic microorganisms;
- agents that cause sexually transmitted diseases.
Opportunistic microbes are so called because they exhibit their virulent properties when exposed to suitable conditions.Typically, the causative agents of diseases of this type are representatives of the normal biocenosis of the vagina or intestinal microflora.They are constantly present on the skin of the genitals and act as a protective barrier.As soon as a girl becomes hypothermic and undergoes treatment with antibiotics, which suppress not only the pathogenic, but also the normal flora, the number of representatives of the microbiocenosis grows rapidly.When they reach a critical mass, they no longer perform a barrier function, changing the pH value of the mucous membranes, and they themselves become the cause of the development of inflammation.
Also, multiplying, microbes spread to areas unusual for them, for example, the urethra and bladder.Pathogenic pathogens become a source of inflammatory reactions during the stay of patients in hospitals of any profile, but most often they can become infected in maternity hospitals and obstetric and gynecological departments.It is in them that microorganisms that cause hospital infections circulate.
These pathogens differ from common ones in that during the process of repeated passage through weakened organisms, they acquire new characteristics, for example:
- salmonella, which spreads through airborne droplets;
- resistance to a large number of antibiotics;
- immunity to broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs;
- the ability to use substances unusual for this species as a nutritional substrate.
The clinical course of cystitis caused by pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms that have acquired new properties during development is characterized by painful manifestations.It is more difficult to combat this cystitis, as the range of antibacterial drugs is reduced.
Sexually transmitted diseases cannot occur in isolation from the urinary organs due to the peculiarities of their anatomical structure.The most common among them are gonorrhea, Trichomonas urethritis and cystitis.Through the urethra, which in women is wider and shorter than in men, bacteria enter the bladder cavity and begin to multiply there.
The causes of non-infectious origin are divided into chemical and allergic factors.Chemical irritants can enter through the blood, filtered by the kidneys.These can be medicinal substances, harmful agents of an industrial nature, food components.
Allergic agents are evidence of a profound suppression of the immune system, which reacts with hypersensitivity to common substances.
Additional conditions that contribute to the development of inflammation are factors such as: hypothermia, wearing synthetic underwear, neglecting personal hygiene rules, acute and chronic gynecological diseases, childbirth, eating irritating foods, pregnancy.
First signs
The first signs of cystitis in women require specialized treatment and a lot of attention from the patient to her body.You can suspect the development of inflammation in the bladder by detecting a primary syndrome:
- constant itching in the external genital region;
- the appearance of discharge from the urethra;
- aching, dull pain after urinating;
- pain along the urethra;
- increased desire to go to the bathroom;
- changes in color, clarity of urine, appearance of visible sediment.
If you do not pay due attention and do not treat the disease, the first symptoms gradually worsen and the acute disease becomes chronic.
Progressive pathology
The medical history of a patient with chronic cystitis can become quite voluminous if therapy is ignored or additional rules are not followed.Acute symptoms quickly lose their manifest character and subside, no longer causing significant discomfort.
But there are several signs of inflammation progression:
- the addition of a secondary kidney infection;
- attacks of exacerbation of the infection are accompanied by fever;
- the general condition worsens;
- the amount of urine excreted is scanty;
- urine has a strong odor, is cloudy and may be mixed with pus or blood.
Chronic cystitis does not occur in isolation;it is complicated by inflammatory processes in the kidneys and gynecological pathologies.
The body's resistance gradually decreases, infections of other organs cause exacerbations of cystitis and pass with an increase in body temperature, symptoms of general intoxication, severe weakness and malaise.
The urge to urinate is frequent, but the amount of liquid released is small.This is because it overly irritates the bladder receptors due to altered pH balance and pathological impurities.
Excretion of urine is painful, spasmodic pain does not allow rest even at night.
The suprapubic region is tense, palpation of the abdominal muscles in the lower abdomen is difficult.
Urine has an unpleasant, uncharacteristically pungent odor.When observing it, it is possible to notice sediments falling to the bottom.
Classic signs of acute and chronic cystitis
An acute process first occurs after contact with an infectious agent, chemical irritant, or allergen.The symptoms appear clearly and manifestly: sharp pain when urinating, uncomfortable emptying of the bladder, pain in the lower part of the abdomen, itching and burning at the exit of the urethra.There may be a short-term increase in temperature, nausea or weakness, loss of appetite and may be associated with worsening of symptoms after ingestion of irritating foods or drinks.
Chronic pathology is characterized by the disappearance of symptoms, the presence of constant discomfort in the suprapubic region and dull pain.In the remission phase, the patient feels quite healthy.Exacerbation occurs after hypothermia, consumption of irritating foods or drinks, or repeated contact with an allergen.
Types of cystitis in women
Bladder inflammation is classified according to several criteria.
The main types of cystitis include the following:
- by the nature of the process: acute or chronic;
- by occurrence: bacterial, chemical or allergic;
- by associated factors: postpartum, secondary, postoperative.
Postoperative cystitis occurs after abortion, cesarean section and release of urine through a catheter.It is this medical instrument that can become a source of infection.
Features of postpartum cystitis
The postpartum period requires a lot of attention and monitoring from the postpartum woman, especially at home.Compliance with the rules of careful hygienic care and a frequent urination regime will help avoid possible complications of the postpartum period and the increase in urinary tract infections.
Postpartum cystitis occurs in the same way as any other, but its treatment is difficult because not all medications can be taken by a breastfeeding woman.Furthermore, this period is characterized by the presence of lesions on the external genitalia, which makes urinating and using the usual bathroom difficult.
Severe forms of the disease rarely develop, since the treatment of cystitis does not cause significant difficulties.But most of the time we have to deal with a chronic form that is difficult to correct with medication if the causative agent is a multidrug-resistant microorganism.
Diagnosis
It usually does not cause difficulties after a complete anamnesis, urine tests and examination of the patient.The results of the analysis reveal deviations from the norm: reduced specific gravity, altered pH level, the presence of pathological impurities of blood, leukocytes, sediments, urate and oxalate crystals.
If necessary, ultrasound examinations and contrast radiography are prescribed to clarify the etiology of the disease.
Treatment
It is imperative to treat acute or chronic cystitis comprehensively.The use of different therapy methods at the same time contributes to the patient's speedy recovery.
The main therapeutic agents are:
- antimicrobial tablets;
- anti-inflammatory medications;
- analgesics and antispasmodics;
- physiotherapy (in remission);
- diet;
- traditional methods.
Medicines for the treatment of cystitis are prescribed by a specialist.Anti-inflammatory drugs are preferably prescribed from the non-steroid group;they have antispasmodic and analgesic activity.
The diet involves the exclusion from the diet of acidic, pickled and spicy foods that have an irritating effect.In this case, it is necessary to drink at least two liters of liquid per day to clean the bladder.
Popular recipes
Alternative medicine has gained vast experience in the treatment of urological infections.The recipes have many positive reviews, which confirms the effectiveness of the methods.But they can only be used in combination with drug treatment.
Good results are obtained by taking decoctions of parsley root, chamomile and tincture of lingonberry leaves.Drinking blueberry juice has an excellent sanitizing effect.The healing qualities of “bear ears” and cranberries have been known for a long time.You can prepare the following composition and take it three times a day after meals:
- take dry herbs of rosemary, almond, centaury and rose hips in equal proportions;
- pour boiling water for 30 minutes;
- boil in a water bath for 20 minutes;
- leave for 30 minutes;
- strain and drink as above.
It is contraindicated to drink alcohol, strong drinks or smoke during treatment.
Prevention
Measures to prevent cystitis are simple but effective.It is necessary to carefully follow the rules of care, sexual culture, frequently change hygiene products and underwear, avoid hypothermia and consumption of irritating foods and drinks.