Cystitis: causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods
Cystitis is one of the most common female diseases. According to statistics, every third woman under the age of 24 and every second woman under the age of 50 experience this disease at least once a year. We talk about what you need to know about cystitis in women.
Contents of the article:
What is cystitis?
Cystitis is an inflammatory disease of the bladder that can occur in acute or chronic form. In women, the disease is most often infectious in nature and is associated with bacterial invasion of the urinary system (in 98% of cases – Escherichia coli).
Doctor: “The structural features of the female urethra (short and wide) and the proximity of the vagina, anus and urethra facilitate the invasion of pathogenic microflora into the bladder. Thus, cystitis in women occurs several times more often than in men.
A feature of the course of cystitis in women is frequent recurrence. Thus, in more than 50% of patients, relapse occurs within a year after the onset of the disease.
The following factors increase the risk of developing cystitis:
- Chronic foci of infection in the body;
- Past acute respiratory viral infections, gynecological and venereal diseases;
- Hypothermia of the pelvic organs;
- Hormonal disorders in the body;
- Beginning of sexual activity or changing sexual partners;
- Decreased immunity;
- Wearing tight clothes and underwear (especially synthetic fabrics);
- Poor hygiene of reproductive and other organs.
Symptoms of cystitis
Acute cystitis in women develops very quickly. Signs of the disease include.
- Frequent urination or dysuria;
- Burning or cutting pain when urinating in the urethra, bladder, perineum or lower back;
- Discomfort, burning or itching in the perineum;
- Cloudy urine with blood, mucus, or sediment; unpleasant odor;
- Slight increase in temperature;
- General malaise and decreased activity.
For chronic cystitis cystitis symptoms in women treatment are less pronounced, and the only sign of the disease is frequent urination.
Why is cystitis dangerous?
Doctor: “Due to the prevalence of cystitis, many women underestimate the possible consequences of cystitis. Acute cystitis is treated relatively easily and quickly, but the chronic form of cystitis significantly reduces the patient’s quality of life and increases the risk of complications.”
Chronic cystitis damages large areas of the bladder mucosa and can lead to the development of the following diseases.
- Renal failure (paralytic nephritis);
- Urinary tract diseases, urethritis;
- Adhesions, tumor formation;
- Ulcers and bleeding in the bladder;
- Urinary tract dysfunction;
- Reproductive dysfunction (infertility).
Doctor: “Cystitis is a psychologically complex disease. Women are often forced to visit the toilet due to an incessant urge. This not only takes a lot of time, but also causes increased excitability and neuropathy. Their personal life also suffers, since sexual intimacy causes discomfort and pain.”
Diagnosis and treatment of cystitis in women
Snezhana Aleksandrovna sees adult patients at the clinic on Gorokhovaya (14 and Varshavskaya) for diagnosis (including ultrasound) and treatment of cystitis in women. You can make an appointment by calling (812) 493-03-03 or in your personal account.
Doctor: “The minimum necessary tests that a woman can undergo before the main visit to the doctor are a general urine test and bacteriological urine culture. Further studies (ultrasound of the bladder, cystoscopy, analysis for urogenital infection) are prescribed by the urologist if necessary.”
The treatment regimen for cystitis is selected individually and may include antimicrobial therapy, anti-inflammatory and painkillers, herbal medicines and physical therapy.
In addition, patients may be advised to follow a diet that eliminates or limits the consumption of alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeine, citrus drinks, and large fluid intake.
Doctor: “It is important to understand that self-medication for cystitis is unacceptable! Often women ignore visits to the doctor, try to cope with the disease on their own and rely on the recommendations of friends and acquaintances who have done the same. All this can lead to a chronic process and, as a result, problems for life.”
Prevention of cystitis
Prevention of cystitis in women involves eliminating existing risk factors. To prevent the disease from returning, all women must follow the following rules:
- Maintaining intimate hygiene (especially during menstruation);
- Sexual contact with a single, permanently healthy sexual partner;
- Compliance with the drinking regime (30-40 ml of liquid per kilogram of body weight);
- Dress appropriately for the weather and avoid getting too cold;
- Do not tolerate urination; visit the toilet if necessary;
- If you have any of the above symptoms of cystitis, consult a urologist.
