Symptoms of inflammation of the bladder (cystitis) are often found, but are observed in women more often than in men. Contribute to this anatomical features: the urethra (urethra) of the woman is wider and shorter than the male and is located close to the anus and the female genital organs, which contributes to getting the infection from there along the urethra into the bladder, although it is possible to develop cystitis in inflammatory diseases of the kidneys.
Causes of Cystitis in Women
Ways of getting the infection in the bladder:
- ascending (along the urethra from the genital tract and rectum);
- Downward (down from the kidneys with a current of urine);
- lymphogenous (on the lymphatic system from inflamed organs in the small pelvis);
- hematogenous (with blood flow for distant inflammation - angina, pneumonia);
- through medical instruments (with manipulation).
In more than 90% of cases, the causative agent of cystitis is E. coli, which normally lives in the intestine. After her, Staphylococcus is a frequent causative agent of cystitis. In rare cases, inflammation causes klebsiella, proteus, fungi, trichomonads, chlamydia, viruses and mycoplasmas.
Factors contributing to the development of cystitis - is hypothermia (both general and local), violations of personal hygiene, frequent and prolonged retention of urine in the bladder.
Symptoms of acute cystitis in women
If the inflammation of the bladder is acute, then more often women complain of increased frequency of urination, pain and burning when urinating in the lower abdomen. After urination, it seems that the emptying was incomplete, there may be frequent urge to urinate, but little urine is released. The urine itself changes color and transparency - it becomes cloudy with inhomogeneous impurities, mucous or purulent sediment, sometimes with blood veins. With a high intensity of inflammation, it is possible to raise the body temperature to subfebrile digits, symptoms of general intoxication.
Symptoms of chronic cystitis in women
During the period of remission, chronic cystitis may not give any symptoms, but more than twice a year there are exacerbations, the symptoms of which resemble acute inflammation. But those symptoms of cystitis in women, which are typical for chronic inflammation, will be mild: they are pains in the lower abdomen, often aching, which are given to the perineum and urethra, there are often urges to urinate, impurities appear in the urine - mucus, pus or spotting.
Diagnosis of cystitis
First of all, for the diagnosis of cystitis it is necessary to conduct a laboratory study of urine: it can be found leukocytes , mucus, protein, erythrocytes, bacteria, salts of phosphates, urates or oxalates. If necessary, conduct ultrasound of the bladder, cystography and cystoscopy, a biopsy of its mucosa. Differential diagnosis is performed with inflammation of the kidneys - cystitis in women has characteristic symptoms.
Treatment of cystitis
Medicines for the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the bladder are most often derivatives of the nitrofuran series (uroantiseptics) - Furagin, Furadonin, Furomag. These drugs are unchanged in the urine, causing the death of a pathogenic microflora in it.
If necessary, additionally prescribed antibiotics of a wide spectrum of action of the group of fluoroquinolones (Ciprofloxacin, Gatifloxacin, Ofloxacin). To relieve pain and spasm of the bladder, antispasmodics are prescribed (in addition to the removal of the spasm, thermal procedures are used, such as a warmer on the lower abdomen, hot sessile baths). Assign a diet that does not contain substances that irritate the bladder mucosa (salt, spicy dishes, marinades, smoked products, hot juices), and use phytoteas that have an anti-inflammatory effect on the urinary system.