Cystitis in women: what is it, symptoms and treatment

Many women suffer when the first symptoms of cystitis appear; they begin to treat themselves, consulting with pharmacists at the pharmacy, and buying fancy medications. They can’t even imagine what the consequences of such treatment may be, without finding out the causes, type and form of the disease. To prevent complications of the disease, it is necessary to undergo appropriate diagnostics.

Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary tract and bladder mucosa. This disease is mostly female. It is caused by the structure of the urethra in women, which is shorter and wider than in men, so infection or penetration of harmful microorganisms occurs more often.

Cystitis according to ICD-10

According to the international classification of diseases, this type of inflammation belongs toXIV class, its code№30. 0.

According to the international classification of diseases, there are several forms of cystitis:

  1. Acute cystitis code No. 30. 0.
  2. Chronic (interstitial) code No. 30. 1.
  3. Chronic (other) cystitis code No. 30. 2.
  4. Trigonite code No. 30. 3.
  5. Radiation type of inflammatory process code No. 30. 4.
  6. Other forms of cystitis No. 30. 5.
  7. Unspecified cystitis No. 30. 6.

Each form of the inflammatory process requires individual treatment. Therefore, the disease must be diagnosed in a medical facility and medications recommended by a doctor must be taken.

Causes of cystitis in women

People suffer from this disease30% women under 45 years old. The main reason for the occurrence of the inflammatory process is a special anatomical structure in which there is contact between the flora of the woman’s reproductive and urinary systems. Other reasons include:

  • Improper genital hygiene.
  • Passive (sedentary) lifestyle.
  • Stress.
  • Unbalanced diet.
  • Eating spicy and fatty foods.
  • The presence of chronic gynecological and venereal diseases.
  • Unprotected sex.
  • Prolonged hypothermia.
  • Bladder injuries.
  • Changes in hormone levels.
  • Reduced immunity.
  • Synthetic underwear.

The most common cause of inflammation of the bladder is infection with intestinal infections.

What bacteria cause inflammation?

Cystitis occurs due to infection with various pathogenic bacteria:

  1. Candida fungi.
  2. Escherichia coli.
  3. Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
  4. Gonococci.
  5. Ureaplasma.
  6. Mycoplasmas.
  7. Trichomonas.
  8. Chlamydia.
  9. Enterobacter.
  10. Treponema pallidum.
  11. Staphylococci.
  12. Streptococci.
  13. Enterococcus.
  14. Meningococcus.
  15. Coliform microbes.
  16. Proteus.
  17. Salmonella.
  18. Viruses.
  19. Listeria.
  20. Klebsiella.

The most common opportunistic bacteria that causes the acute stage of inflammation is Escherichia coli.

E. coli most often provokes the development of cystitis in women

The first signs of the disease in women

Within 24 hours, the first signs of illness appear after infection with pathogenic bacteria or hypothermia. These signs include:

  • Weakness.
  • Low-grade fever.
  • Frequent urination in small amounts.
  • Itching of the genitals.
  • Drawing pain in the lower abdomen at night.
  • Painful urination.
  • The appearance of discharge from the genitals.

The urine becomes cloudy with sediment in the form of flakes, mixed with blood or pus.

One of the signs of cystitis in a woman is a nagging pain in the lower abdomen

Symptoms of cystitis in women

The main symptoms of the inflammatory process in women:

  1. Urine is released frequently and in small portions.
  2. Burning sensation when emptying the bladder.
  3. At night, frequent urge to urinate.
  4. Cloudy urine mixed with mucus, blood, and pus.
  5. Feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen.
  6. Urine has an unpleasant, pungent odor.
  7. A nagging pain appears in the lower abdomen, kidneys and spine.
  8. Low-grade body temperature.

If one or more symptoms are detected, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis in order to avoid complications or the development of urolithiasis.

A woman is worried about the symptoms of cystitis in the form of frequent and painful urination

Urinary incontinence with cystitis in women

Urinary incontinence in women with the disease is a signneglect of the disease. The main reason is self-medication or unwillingness to visit a medical facility.

Urinary incontinence occurs due to the developmentinflammatory process after infection in the bladder. The nerve endings on the walls of the bladder are irritated, causing a frequent urge to urinate. If treatment is improper or treatment is ignored, the urges become strong and can no longer be controlled.

Do your kidneys hurt with cystitis?

The kidneys are part of the urinary system and produce urea, which forms urine. Urine exits through the ureters, accumulates in the bladder, and then comes out. If the inflammatory process in the bladder becomes advanced, the infection rises through the ureters to the kidney, which is why pain in the kidneys occurs with cystitis.

If pain in the kidneys begins to intensify after cystitis, this means that the patient is developing a disease - pyelonephritis. Therefore, if pain in the kidneys occurs, you should immediately consult a doctor for tests and diagnosis of the disease.

Types and forms of cystitis in women

Modern medicine classifies cystitis depending on the nature of the disease, the causes of its occurrence, morphology, stage of development and spread of the inflammatory process. Cystitis can occur in the following forms:

  1. Spicy– inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder due to various infections.
  2. Chronic– differs from acute cystitis in the washed-out symptoms with their periodic appearance.
  3. Interstitial– characterized by the formation of a malignant tumor on the walls of the bladder. This is a dangerous pathology that requires surgical intervention.
  4. Honeymoon cystitis- this is a special form, it is typical for girls who begin to have sex. During the process of defloration, foreign bacteria penetrate into the vaginal cavity, which causes inflammatory processes.

Most experts identify the following types of cystitis:

  • InfectiousCystitis occurs due to bacteria and harmful microorganisms entering the bladder.
  • Traumatica type of disease that occurs due to injuries and bruises of the urethra.
  • ChemicalCystitis occurs when improperly treated or when the body is exposed to toxic substances.
  • Hemorrhagicthe species occurs as a result of viral diseases.
  • Hypercalceuricthe type occurs in women who suffer from impaired kidney function.
  • Parasiticthe species occurs due to the penetration of parasites (worms) from the anus into the urethra.
  • SexualCystitis occurs in women who often change sexual partners.
  • Raycystitis occurs during procedures with radiation exposure to the body.
  • AllergicThis type occurs when allergens enter the body and can cause an inflammatory process.
  • CervicalCystitis is an inflammation of the bladder neck.
  • Fungalthe species develops if there are Candida fungi in the body.
  • HormoneCystitis in women occurs with an increase in the level of estrogen in the body, which reduces immunity and facilitates the penetration of infection.

Recurrent cystitis

Recurrent cystitis is an acute type of inflammation of the genitourinary organs that occursmore than 3 times in six months. Causes of the recurrent type:

  1. Chronic failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
  2. Genetic predisposition.
  3. Anatomical anomalies, such as dystopia.
  4. Narrowing of the urethra.
  5. Stones or sand in the bladder.
  6. Frequent change of sexual partners.
  7. Gynecological diseases.
  8. Constant hypothermia.

For the recurrent type of the disease, treatment is the same as for acute cystitis.

Diagnostics

The doctor conducts an initial examination of the patient, collects anamnesis, and writes a referral for tests:

  • General blood analysis.
  • General urine analysis.
  • Bacteriological culture of urine.
  • Vaginal microflora smear.
  • Ultrasound.
  • Cystography.
Ultrasound examination of the bladder can help diagnose cystitis in a woman.

Based on the test results, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment.

How long does it take to treat cystitis in women?

The doctor prescribes a course of treatmentat least 10-14 days. The duration of treatment will depend on the form and type of cystitis, as well as the likelihood of relapse. The inflammatory process is treated with medications in several stages. Self-medication can lead to the development of complications, and treatment will take a long time.

Methods and medications for the treatment of cystitis in women

If cystitis occurs, first of all, you need to visit a doctor and get tested to find out the cause of its occurrence.

To treat diseases of the genitourinary organs, antibiotics, herbal remedies, warm baths, and folk remedies are prescribed. Treatment methods and dosage of drugs are determined by the doctor.

During drug treatment, complex treatment is carried out with antibiotics, antispasmodics, probiotics, herbal medicines, and in case of severe pain, painkillers are prescribed.

During treatment with antibiotics, the intestinal microflora suffers, so the doctor prescribes probiotics.

Medicines for the treatment of cystitis - antibiotics, probiotics, antispasmodics, herbal medicines

For severe spasms, antispasmodics are prescribed.

Herbal medicines are prescribed by a doctor to relieve inflammatory processes in the urinary system. These are preparations based on herbs and plant flowers that are effective in combating the inflammatory process. These include:

  • Lingonberry leaves.
  • Bearberry.
  • Products based on cranberry fruits and medicinal herbs.

Therapeutic baths will help relieve spasms and have an antibacterial effect. Herbal decoctions, infusions and oils are added to such baths:

  1. Chamomile flowers.
  2. Herbal collection for the urinary system.
  3. Calendula.
  4. A series.
  5. St. John's wort.
  6. Eucalyptus oil.
  7. Lemon oil.
  8. Sage oil.
  9. Lavender oil.

For quick and effective treatment, complex therapy is carried out.

Is it possible to cure cystitis without antibiotics?

Treatment without antibiotics is prescribed only in the case of an acute type of disease; for its treatment,antispasmodic and antimicrobial drugs. In most cases, the acute form becomes chronic, in which antibiotic treatment cannot be avoided.

Do they give sick leave for cystitis?

Cystitis is a disease in which the inflammatory process develops quickly. In the acute type of the disease, body temperature often rises, which indicates the need for bed rest, which means you need to issue a sick leave certificate.

In case of a chronic disease, sick leave is not issued, since the disease does not have pronounced symptoms. It should be remembered that for its treatment it is necessary to undergo tests and undergo diagnostic procedures, which will also take time.

Consequences and complications

This disease, in acute and chronic forms, can be treated quickly and effectively, but if treatment is carried out independently and incorrectly, the inflammation takes on other forms, complications arise that develop into other diseases. Such consequences and complications include:

  • Cystitis turns into interstitial, hemorrhagic, gangrenous forms.
  • Pyelonephritis.
  • Empyema of the bladder.
  • Paracystitis.
  • Trigonite.

The danger of complications is that new diseases arise in the body.

Prevention

To prevent the disease, it is important to adhere to the following rules and recommendations:

  1. Maintain drinking regime.
  2. Observe personal hygiene rules.
  3. Maintain a rest and sleep schedule.
  4. Dress for the weather.
  5. Eat healthy, balanced foods.
  6. To refuse from bad habits.
  7. Drink decoctions of diuretic herbs.
  8. Exercise.
  9. Take vitamins.

It is important to take care of your health, visit a doctor, diagnose diseases in a timely manner and take preventive measures.