Cystitis: Symptoms and Treatments

symptoms of cystitis in women

This is an unpleasant disease that women are more likely to suffer from. Cystitis appears due to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder, which occurs against the background of a bacterial infection.

A urological disease can become chronic without treatment and lead to changes in the bladder tissue, leading to the development of serious diseases.

Causes of cystitis

The causes of cystitis can also be a decrease in general immunity, chronic stress, the onset of sexual activity, narrowing of the urethra, hypothermia, stagnation of urine in the bladder (the habit of resisting to the last), unbalanced nutrition, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, childbirth, operations on the organs of the urinary system.

Another reason is the drugs. The causes of cystitis can also be a decrease in general immunity, chronic stress, the onset of sexual activity, narrowing of the urethra, hypothermia, stagnation of urine in the bladder (the habit of resisting to the last), unbalanced nutrition, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, childbirth, operations on the organs of the urinary system.

Inflammation in the bladder can also cause the body to react to certain allergens. In women, cystitis is more common. This is due to the physiological characteristics of the female sexual structure. The urethra is near the entrance to the vagina and anus. Therefore, it is very important to constantly monitor the quality of intimate hygiene.

Symptoms of cystitis

  • frequent need to urinate - during the process of urination, pain and burning in the urethra may appear, as well as a feeling of incomplete emptying of the intestine.
  • pain in the lower abdomen - there is a feeling of overcrowding in the bladder. And also a sign of cystitis is itching and burning in the perineum. In some cases, patients do not attach importance to pain and discomfort if they are not too pronounced. This can lead to chronic diseases and complications.
  • the appearance in the urine of pathological impurities (mucus, blood, pus) - the color of urine can vary from pale pink to brick. The presence of impurities indicates the presence of a virus in the human body. With the development of cystitis, severe pain in the urethra may appear.

How does cystitis manifest during pregnancy?

During the period of pregnancy, the protective functions of the immune system decrease in a woman. Therefore, entering the body, a pathological organism causes a much faster inflammatory process.

The development of cystitis is facilitated by the peculiarities of female physiology. The shorter and wider form of the urethra, its proximity to the vagina and intestines, contribute to the rapid transmission of infections from nearby organs.

With this disease, the walls of the bladder become inflamed, which leads to a violation of its functions. Symptoms of cystitis are quite specific - they are difficult to confuse with other pathologies. A woman may experience frequent and painful urination, blood in the urine, and fever.

First of all, a woman should visit a urologist. She will prescribe the necessary tests, examinations and advise you to undergo an additional consultation with a gynecologist. This allows you to exclude the presence of infections of the genital area, which can lead to bacterial vaginosis, colpitis, thrush.

How to treat cystitis in pregnant women? Diet, immunity and hormonal status are correct, blood circulation is improved. Then it is necessary to begin the fight against pathogens (E. coli, Candida fungi, STI, viruses), restore the damaged structure of the bladder.

Cystitis in children

symptoms of cystitis in children

Given the fundamental anatomical differences between the sexes, cystitis occurs in girls almost 4-10 times more often than in children of the opposite sex.

The signs of pathology in children are varied. There are pains when urinating, in the urethral canal, lower abdomen or flank. In addition, the number of urinations can increase, as can urinary incontinence and leaks that have not been observed before.

Children show capriciousness, which increases during urination, bowel movements. At the same time, the appetite is disturbed, anxiety appears if it is necessary to sit on the potty due to fear of pain, burning, pain. Intoxication of the body occurs, which is manifested by an increase in body temperature, chills.

Clinical manifestations vary with the age of the child. In young children, general symptoms predominate. Furthermore, young children are not always able to indicate what is bothering them. In older children, no more signs of intoxication are observed, here the urination disorders and pain syndrome come to the fore.

Types of cystitis

There are different classifications of pathology: based on the course, the type of inflammation, the causes. We will dwell in more detail on the classification according to the course of the disease.

  • Acute cystitisappears a few hours after exposure to the body of a harmful factor. Has pronounced symptoms of the inflammatory process with a tendency to progression. If acute cystitis is not treated or the wrong therapy is used, there is a high probability of developing a chronic form.
  • Subacute cystitishas a blurred clinical picture. Symptoms are mild or absent. It can be accompanied only by pain and urination disorders, while symptoms of intoxication of the body (fever, aches, chills) are not observed.
  • Chronic cystitisoccurs due to acute untreated cystitis. It is characterized by a slow course, the symptoms are unexpressed and is sometimes completely asymptomatic. That is, the inflammatory factor in the bladder persists without betraying itself, but at some point a strong exacerbation occurs with all the ensuing consequences: frequent and painful urination, burning, itching, cloudy urine, malaise, etc.

Pathology Diagnosis

A urologist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of cystitis. Only a specialist knows how to properly treat this disease in order to avoid chronic inflammation and not harm health.

You can go for an examination and diagnosis at the nearest clinic. However, this takes time, as you need to wait 2-3 weeks for an appointment with a doctor. But in the presence of acute or subacute cystitis, time is the most precious resource. Therefore, the best option is to contact a specialized medical clinic. Here you can sign up for an exam and join a professional doctor in the near future.

The urologist will determine your general health, ask about past illnesses, the frequency of urination and medications taken. Next, the specialist probes the abdomen and kidney area, in the lower back.

Cystitis in men: Look through and feel the genitals. Examine the prostate gland - rectally.

Cystitis in women: evaluates the condition of the mucous membrane, female genital organs, probes the bladder and ureters.

The following tests may be required for diagnosis:

  • general urinalysis
  • urinalysis according to Nechiporenko
  • bacteriological examination of urine
  • cystoscopy
  • Ultrasound of the bladder and abdominal organs, including the kidneys

How is cystitis treated?

diagnosis and treatment of cystitis

After a repeated appointment with the urologist and a diagnosis, the specialist will prescribe an individual treatment program, which includes medications for cystitis. It depends on the disease itself and the degree of its course.

In the treatment of cystitis, the following principles must be observed:

  • bed or semi-bed rest during the entire period of acute symptoms of the disease.
  • medical food. The diet for cystitis should be lacto-vegetarian, that is, the patient's daily diet should be dominated by dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Fried, spicy, salty and spicy dishes, as well as alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
  • antibiotic therapy. Inflammatory processes can be treated with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. Antibiotics for cystitis are prescribed first with a broad spectrum of action and after receiving the result of urine culture and antibiogram. An antimicrobial drug is used, to which the causative agent of cystitis is sensitive.
  • pain therapy. With severe pain in the bladder, patients are prescribed painkillers and antispasmodics.
  • physiotherapeutic treatment (electrophoresis, phonophoresis, inductothermy, UHF and others).

We advise you not to self-medicate in any case, but to consult a urologist in such a delicate matter. Make an appointment with a urologist and make sure your problems will stay outside the walls of the clinic.