Visits to the toilet are becoming more and more frequent, but they are less and less effective: only a little urine can be squeezed out, sometimes mixed with blood.There is pain during and after urination.Sometimes I get a nagging pain above my pubis.All these are symptoms of cystitis, a disease that most often affects women.And although cystitis is not life-threatening, it is very capable of ruining several days.
The purpose of this article is to tell you how to treat cystitis at home and how to cope with this disease as quickly as possible.
What is cystitis?
Cysitis is an infectious disease.But its pathogens live in our own bodies.In 85-95% of cases, the cause of urinary tract infections is E. coli, a common inhabitant of the intestines.Another typical pathogen is Staphylococcus saprophyticus, which is a representative of the microflora of the skin.And they enter the bladder in an ascending way: from the skin or from the rectum through the urethra.
How to prevent cystitis?
Anatomical characteristics (larger bladder volume and short urethra) determine the prevalence of cystitis in women.
It's clear why women suffer from cystitis more often - it's all about anatomy.Women's urethras are much shorter than men's, and their bladders are larger, which means they can be emptied less often.But the stream of urine is quite effective in removing microorganisms that have penetrated the urinary tract.Therefore, the first rule for women: if you do not want to experience cystitis, go to the toilet every 3-4 hours.
Another common cause of cystitis is microtrauma to the female urethra during sexual intercourse.The so-called defloration cystitis often ruins the honeymoon.Advice for loving men: don't forget intimate hygiene.Tip for smart women: Emptying the bladder before and after sex greatly reduces the risk of infection.
When should you see a doctor?
No woman is immune from isolated cases of cystitis.However, if dysuria recurs, it is worth undergoing a comprehensive examination.
Pregnancy is a particularly dangerous time.The functioning of the immune system and hormone levels change, the growing uterus pushes the bladder out, disrupts the flow of urine, and as a result, infection.Meanwhile, bacteriuria doubles the risk of premature birth - so cystitis is not harmless at all during this period.
If the symptoms of the disease appear in a man, immediately and without fail consult a specialist;cystitis in men is almost always secondary.The root cause can be prostate disease, diabetes, or urolithiasis.In addition, symptoms similar to cystitis can occur in non-gonococcal urethritis (probable causative agents are chlamydia, mycoplasma, trichomonas) and bladder tuberculosis.
The doctor performs urine and blood tests, culture of microflora, possibly referral for bladder ultrasound, possibly cystoscopy, and takes a swab from the urethra.If the test proves that cystitis is uncomplicated, you will most likely be able to manage your symptoms yourself.
What to do if you have cystitis?
- During an exacerbation, it is highly recommended to stay in bed, under a warm blanket, with a heating pad in the lower abdomen (if the blood does not come out with the urine, then the heating pad is wiped off).
- Drink as much as possible.Tea - only with milk, excluding coffee and beer.Cranberry, cranberry and cranberry fruit drinks are very welcome (the proantianides in them prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall), a decoction of oats, gooseberries, birch buds and, if blood appears, nettles are good.Herbs are most effective in the form of preparations;the pharmacy always offers ready-made ones.
- The diet includes avoiding spices, preserves and marinades, but dairy products, fruits (especially watermelon) and vegetables will be beneficial.
- If you suffer from cystitis, do not go to the bath or sauna, but washing with warm water and special intimate hygiene products will help reduce discomfort after urination.
- You can place suppositories with papaverine - this often relieves pain.
But in any case, antibacterial drugs are needed to treat the infection.
If cystitis is recurrent, or the patient is elderly or suffers from diabetes, the duration of uroseptics should be longer - at least one week.
Attention!For pregnant women, only a doctor prescribes antibiotics after examination - it is safer for the woman and the child.
What to watch out for?
If left untreated, the infection spreads from the bladder through the ureters to the kidney, resulting in pyelonephritis.
If frequent and painful urination is accompanied by lower back pain and fever, it is possible that the infection has spread to the kidneys, and you cannot go without a doctor here.
Which doctor should I see?
You can consult a therapist at the first episode of cystitis.If the disease has a recurrent or chronic course, consult a urologist and definitely perform a cystoscopy.