Cystitis is a disease accompanied by damage to the mucosa and walls of the bladder. This disease leads to a gradual disruption of organ functions. According to statistics, women are more susceptible to this pathology than male patients. According to official data, cystitis is diagnosed in 0. 8% of men who have passed the threshold of forty years.
The relatively low prevalence of cystitis in male patients is due to the structural characteristics of the urethra. In men it is longer than in women. Therefore, it is much more difficult for the infection to enter the bladder.
In most cases, the pathology develops against the background of obstruction of the bladder outlet. It involves subvesical compression of the bladder, which becomes an obstacle to the free passage of urine.
Causes of cystitis
To reduce the risk of cystitis in men under 40, it is necessary to carefully follow the rules of intimate hygiene. After reaching this age, the urinary system of the stronger sex is more susceptible to the development of various pathologies that can lead to damage to the walls and mucosa of the bladder.
Cystitis in men is a consequence of the inflammatory process in the area of the prostate, testicles and urethra. There are other causes of this disease:
Urological problems that cause urine retention in the body (urethra that is too narrow).
Prostate adenoma.
Diverticular disease.
Infectious diseases that are transmitted through intimate intimacy. These include gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Prostatitis, inflammation of the urethra, vesiculitis. The listed diseases can cause pathological changes in the functioning of the bladder.
The presence of a mechanical barrier (in particular, the formation of stones).
He has performed urological surgery in the recent past.
Malignant tumors in the urethra or prostate gland.
Infections localized in the upper respiratory tract. If a patient gets sick with ARVI or tonsillitis, the bacteria can penetrate through the systemic blood flow into the organs of the genitourinary system. Therefore, cystitis can be a consequence of any infection (regardless of its location).
In some cases, the disease develops due to pyelonephritis or renal tuberculosis. The latter usually occurs without pronounced symptoms and is accompanied by fatigue, weakness and a slight increase in body temperature.
About 90% of the world's inhabitants are carriers of the infection. Many people have reduced immune systems due to frequent alcohol consumption, prolonged stress, eating unhealthy foods, and prolonged smoking. Due to the above factors, a transition occurs from the latent phase of bacterial activity to the active phase. As a result, damage occurs not only to the lungs, but also to other organs:
prostate gland;
testicles;
kidney
In some situations, when cultured with Koch's bacillus, a false negative result is obtained. An infectious disease disguises itself as another (no less serious) pathology. This leads to failure to timely prescribe adequate treatment.
There are other factors that provoke a decrease in immunity: increased blood sugar, hypothermia, chronic lack of sleep, spinal injuries.
Signs of cystitis in men
In the acute phase of the disease, the man needs to empty the bladder frequently. In this case, when he goes to the toilet, a very small amount of urine may be released.
Sharp pain may occur when emptying the bladder. As a rule, pain occurs at the beginning and end of urination. Their expression may vary. Pain sensations can be tolerable or intense. In the intervals between visits to the toilet, men experience discomfort in the penis, pubic area and groin.
With cystitis, body temperature often rises. General signs of intoxication may occur. The man feels a constant lack of strength and complains of headaches. If such symptoms appear, treatment in hospital is recommended.
Sometimes the disease is severe and gangrenous and hemorrhagic cystitis may occur. The urine produced is cloudy. Mucous or bloody inclusions can be seen in it, and it has a putrid, unpleasant odor. At the same time, the amount of fluid secreted by the body during the day is reduced to 0. 3 liters.
As the disease becomes chronic, the pain becomes less intense. There are no longer bloody impurities in the urine, but mucous inclusions may still be present. In addition, the transition of chronic cystitis to the acute stage is possible at any time.
The causes of the disease can be:
non-infectious;
contagious.
There are several ways of bladder infection:
Increasing.In this case, the infection penetrates from the external environment into the bladder.
Descending.The infection enters the bladder from other organs (especially the kidneys).
Lymphogenic.In this case, infection of the bladder is observed through the lymphatic vessels.
Hematogenous.If there is a purulent focus in the body, the infection can spread from this problem area through the bloodstream. It then enters the bladder.
It is worth mentioning the non-infectious causes of pathology:
an allergic reaction leading to an inflammatory process in the mucosa of the bladder;
deterioration of the functions of the nervous or immune system;
chemical burn – due to a healthcare provider error, the patient may be given the wrong medication prescribed by the doctor;
attend radiotherapy sessions that involve exposure of the pubic area.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you detect at least some symptoms of cystitis, you should not postpone a visit to the urologist. After a thorough examination, the specialist will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
To establish an accurate diagnosis, a man is recommended to undergo the following diagnostic procedures:
Urogenital smear.This procedure is intended to diagnose hidden infections that are transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Bacterial culture.This analysis is necessary to establish the type of pathogen and determine its sensitivity to certain drugs.
Do a general urine test.In the presence of inflammation, an increase in the content of red and white blood cells will be detected. An acidic reaction of urine indicates the presence of a tuberculosis infection in the body.
Performing cystoscopy.An informative diagnostic procedure can be performed only in the absence of an acute phase of the disease. When performing cystoscopy it is possible to detect stones, tumors and other foreign bodies. If necessary, the biomaterial is collected for further diagnostic procedures.
If you experience constant urinary retention and severe sharp pain, you should be careful when using painkillers. In this case, the representative of the stronger sex needs urgent hospitalization.
Basic recommendations for the treatment of cystitis
While treating the disease, patients should adhere to the recommendations listed below:
Maintain bed rest.At high temperatures, antipyretic drugs are indicated. It is also necessary to remember the correct drinking regime. In addition, patients should temporarily exclude acidic and smoked foods from the diet and adhere to a strict diet. When preparing food, you should use a minimum of spices and seasonings.
Use of herbal medicines.Doctors often prescribe herbal teas that have antibacterial and diuretic effects. Such products contain natural ingredients (horsetail, bearberry). To reduce the intense inflammatory process, preparations based on medicinal herbs are used. To strengthen your immune system, drink fruit juices made from cranberries. When using herbal remedies, it is impossible to achieve a quick effect. Such products require long-term use. Herbal medicines are not considered essential. They are used only as part of the complex treatment of cystitis.
Running PCR diagnostics.It is necessary to detect sexually transmitted viruses. The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor (taking into account the type of pathogen).
Medicines with analgesic properties.To eliminate pain, it is recommended to prescribe antispasmodics. In some situations, the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated.
Taking drugs with a pronounced antibacterial effect.Such drugs are prescribed after determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to the prescribed drugs. In the treatment of cystitis, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are actively used. Such drugs are used only after consulting a doctor. However, the duration of their use should not exceed 1 week.
Helps with an attack of acute cystitis
To alleviate the patient's condition in the acute phase of cystitis, it is recommended to drink large amounts of fluids. Activates the removal of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, the patient's well-being will gradually improve.
In advanced forms of the disease, the best option is to take antispasmodics. Such drugs help reduce the tone of smooth muscles located in the bladder area. Analgesics are used to relieve pain.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics without a urologist's prescription. It can lead to distortion of the results of diagnostic studies. As a result, identifying the cause of the disease will be much more difficult. If you try to get treated without consulting a doctor, you will only be able to temporarily eliminate the main symptoms of the pathology. Furthermore, there is a high risk that cystitis will become chronic.
Existing risk factors
The risk of cystitis in men increases:
with irregular emptying of the bladder;
vitamin deficiency;
maintain a sedentary lifestyle;
unprotected sexual intercourse;
frequent change of sexual partners;
prolonged overwork;
the presence of a foreign body in the bladder area;
wearing uncomfortable underwear;
the presence of chronic diseases of the male genital organs;
decreased immunity.
Complications of the disease
You should not try to cure cystitis on your own. In the absence of adequate therapy, the following consequences may occur:
Changes in the structure of the bladder.Against the background of epithelial degeneration, this organ gradually loses its elasticity and significantly decreases in size. A consequence of cystitis is also the loss of the ability to regenerate tissues. This can cause a bladder rupture.
Kidney damage.The most common complication of untreated cystitis is pyelonephritis. An even more serious consequence is the development of kidney failure. This occurs against the background of severe intoxication of the renal tissue by the waste products of pathogenic microorganisms.
Weakening of the bladder sphincter, leading to urinary incontinence.This complication is often diagnosed in elderly patients.
Depression against the background of the disease becoming chronic.Cystitis recurrences can occur several times a month. At this moment, the man turns into a "toilet hostage", his psychological state deteriorates significantly.
Note!In the absence of adequate treatment, the risk of the disease becoming chronic is quite high. In this case, damage is observed both to the bladder and to other organs of the genitourinary system.
How to avoid developing the disease?
To minimize the risk of developing the disease, you should follow these recommendations:
Wash at least once a day. In this case it is advisable to use simple baby soap that does not contain dyes or other harmful synthetic components.
Give preference to clothing suited to the climate. Against the background of hypothermia, not only cystitis can develop, but also more serious pathologies that become the cause of infertility.
It is good for both partners to wash with soap before and after sexual intercourse.
Use a condom during intimacy.
Take care of boosting your immunity. This is especially true if a representative of the stronger sex is susceptible to frequent ARVI. If the functions of the immune system are impaired, you should consult an immunologist.
Don't try to hold back urination. With prolonged urinary retention, rapid development of infection in the bladder is possible.
Change your underwear every day.
Drink enough fluids.
Avoid wearing underwear made from synthetic fabrics.
After bowel movements, wash from front to back. Otherwise the bacteria will be transferred from the intestine to the external male genitalia. From there, pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate into the urethra and then into the bladder.
Follow the recommendations to prevent constipation.
Do not take medications without a prescription.
During an acute attack of cystitis, it is recommended to drink about 2 liters of liquid per day. For this purpose, berry or fruit juices, currant juice and plain water are ideal. It is recommended to forget for a while about drinking alcohol-containing drinks and soda.
Osteopathic techniques are sometimes used in the treatment of cystitis. This speeds up the patient's recovery process.
If indicated, the use of acupuncture methods is indicated. They imply influence on special biological points. This technique has a minimum number of contraindications and side effects.