Visits to the toilet are more frequent, but less and less productive: only a little urine can be squeezed out, sometimes mixed with blood.There is pain during and after urination.Sometimes there is a nagging pain above the pubis.All these are symptoms of cystitis, a disease that mostly affects women.Although cystitis is not life-threatening, it is very capable of disrupting several days.
The purpose of this article is to explain how you can treat cystitis at home and how to overcome this disease as soon as possible.
What is cystitis?
Cystitis is an infectious disease.But its pathogens live in our own bodies.In 85-95% of cases, urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli, a common inhabitant of the intestines.Another typical pathogen is Staphylococcus saprophyticus, a representative of skin microflora.And they enter the bladder by the ascending route: through the skin or the rectum through the urethra.
How to prevent cystitis?
Anatomic features (large bladder volume and short urethra) determine the prevalence of cystitis among women.
It is clear why women suffer more from cystitis - it's all about anatomy.In women, the urethra is much shorter than in men, and the bladder is larger, which means that it can be emptied less often.However, the flow of urine washes away microorganisms that penetrate the urethra quite effectively.So, the first rule for women: if you do not want to face cystitis, go to the toilet every 3-4 hours.
Another common cause of cystitis is microtrauma to the female urethra during intercourse.The so-called defloration cystitis often spoils the honeymoon.Advice to loving men: do not forget about intimate hygiene.Smart women's tip: Emptying your bladder before and after sex greatly reduces your risk of infection.
When should you see a doctor?
No woman is immune to isolated cases of cystitis.But if dysuria is repeated, it is worth to undergo a thorough examination.
Pregnancy is a particularly dangerous period.Immune system activity and hormonal levels change, the growing uterus compresses the bladder, disrupts the flow of urine, and as a result, infection occurs.Meanwhile, bacteriuria increases the risk of premature birth by 2 times - therefore, cystitis during this period is not at all harmless.
If the symptoms of the disease occur in a man, you should immediately and definitely consult a specialist;Cystitis in men is almost always secondary.And the root cause can be prostate disease, diabetes or urolithiasis.In addition, cystitis-like symptoms can occur with non-gonococcal urethritis (its probable causative agent is chlamydia, mycoplasma, trichomonas) and bladder tuberculosis.
The doctor will perform urine and blood tests, microflora cultures, probably refer you to an ultrasound of the bladder, possibly a cystoscopy, and take stains from the urethra.If the examination proves that the cystitis is not aggravated, it is likely that you can cope with its symptoms on your own.
What to do if you have cystitis?
- During an exacerbation, it is very appropriate to stay in bed, under a warm blanket, with a heating pad in the lower abdomen (if blood is not excreted in the urine, then we cancel the heating pad).
- Drink as much as possible.Tea - only with milk, coffee and beer are excluded.Cranberry, lingonberry and blueberry fruit drinks are very good (proantyanides in their content prevent bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall), decoction of oats, buckthorn, birch buds, if blood appears, nettle is good.It is most effective in the form of medicinal preparations of herbal origin;the pharmacy will always offer ready-made ones.
- The diet involves giving up spices, canned foods and marinades, but dairy products, fruits (especially watermelon) and vegetables will be useful.
- If you have cystitis, you should 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 put a suppository with papaverine - it often relieves pain.
But in any case, antibacterial drugs are needed to treat the infection.
If cystitis recurs or the patient is elderly or has diabetes mellitus, the course of uroseptics should be longer - at least a week.
Attention!Antibiotics are prescribed to pregnant women only after examination by a doctor - it is safer for the woman and the child.
What should you be wary of?
If left untreated, an infection from the bladder through the ureters can travel to the kidneys, resulting in pyelonephritis.
If frequent and painful urination is accompanied by back pain and fever, then it is possible that the infection has passed to the kidneys, and here you can not do without a doctor.
Which doctor should I see?
You can consult a therapist at the first episode of cystitis.If the disease takes a repeated or chronic course, you should consult a urologist and be sure to undergo a cystoscopy.