According to statistics, cystitis is much more common in women than in men, which can be explained by physiological differences in the structure of the urethra. This disease is usually accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms: pain and pain during urination, frequent urination and pain in the lower abdomen.
Cystitis is a common disease of the urinary system. This is largely due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure, which is why cystitis is much more common in women than in men.
What are the causes and first signs of cystitis in women? What are the main symptoms of female cystitis? What types of cystitis are distinguished? Which doctor treats cystitis and how is the disease treated at home? Can cystitis be prevented and what should be done?
Cystitis in women: is it necessary to make an appointment with the doctor?
In women, cystitis can be caused by various infectious diseases, intestinal worm invasions, bladder stones, the onset of menopause, disruption of the endocrine system and the use of certain medications. In addition, there is interstitial cystitis, the exact mechanism of which is not yet clear.
It should also be noted that cystitis in women can be acute or chronic. The chronic form is characterized by frequent relapses of the disease and the slow, unceasing manifestation of symptoms.
In order to prevent the disease from becoming a source of constant discomfort, you should consult a doctor at the first signs of the disease and undergo the necessary treatment. All you have to do is call the profile clinic. Specialists dealing with this problem are urologists and gynecologists. Although even a general practitioner can treat the uncomplicated form of the disease.
In women, a urinalysis, urethral and vaginal smear are usually taken to diagnose cystitis. In the case of a chronic form of the disease, it is also recommended to examine the possible presence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
In addition, in some cases, additional tests are required, for which an appointment with a nephrologist, an ultrasound of the small pelvis or a cystoscopy should be performed.
The insidiousness of this disease is that the treatment of cystitis is usually quite simple, and the unpleasant symptoms disappear quickly. Therefore, many women prefer to self-medicate by purchasing advertised antibacterial drugs at the pharmacy.
However, the lack of appropriate therapy, its short duration and the wrong choice of drugs contribute to the transition of the disease into a chronic form, which is difficult to treat. Therefore, do not take risks and use the advice of friends when choosing medicines - it is better to call your doctor by phone and make an appointment. It should be remembered that timely treatment not only avoids chronic cystitis, but also saves other organs from the spread of infection.
Which symptoms of cystitis cause the most discomfort?
Signs of acute cystitis in women always appear suddenly. These include:
- frequent and strong urge to urinate;
- increased content of leukocytes in urine and change in smell;
- the presence of traces of blood in the urine;
- cutting pain in the lower abdomen;
- burning sensation and pain during urination;
- rise in body temperature.
These symptoms develop very quickly. About every quarter of an hour, a woman has to visit the toilet, and during each visit the amount of urine is minimal. In addition, bladder muscle spasms can lead to urinary incontinence.
Cystitis tends to relapse. Most women seek help at least once a year.
In the chronic form of the disease, the symptoms are less pronounced. For example, discomfort during urination is quite moderate. The frequency of going to the toilet does not change either. In general, a person can lead a normal life and participate in work (study).
Methods of prevention and treatment of cystitis
In order to learn about the possible ways to prevent and treat cystitis in the fairer sex, it is necessary to determine the main causes of the disease. These include:
- structural characteristics of the urethra in women (shorter and wider than in men);
- hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, menopause), which upset the balance of the microflora and weaken the strength of local immunity;
- urinary tract infection (may occur due to insufficient personal hygiene, unprotected intercourse);
- trauma (for example, when using a catheter to drain urine).
Cystitis can also occur as an accompanying disease of diabetes mellitus or urolithiasis. By the way, it is impossible to "search" for this disease from hypothermia. And similar symptoms indicate the development of polyuria (cold diuresis).
Therefore, the first thing to do when faced with cystitis is to dial the phone number of the clinic and make an appointment with a doctor. Only an experienced specialist can determine the presence of an inflammatory process based on tests and prescribe the appropriate antibiotic therapy. In the first days, it alleviates most unpleasant symptoms.
Treatment of cystitis also includes taking pain relievers and antipyretic drugs. During therapy, doctors recommend that you follow a proper drinking regimen, which speeds up healing (bacteria are washed out of the body faster with urine).
Experts do not tire of warning that self-medication with this disease is dangerous. In fact, many diseases of the urogenital system have symptoms similar to bacterial cystitis, which cannot be cured by a single antimicrobial agent. As a result, you may lose valuable time and face serious health hazards.
Measures to prevent the disease are as follows:
- personal hygiene (daily change of underwear, frequent change of pads, and regular showering);
- wearing properly selected underwear made of natural materials;
- timely treatment of all existing diseases of the urogenital system;
- mandatory toilet and shower after sexual intercourse.
If the attack occurs while traveling or on vacation, before seeking medical help, try to avoid hypothermia, drink more fluids, limit spicy and salty foods, and alcohol.
If you have chronic cystitis, see your doctor before a long trip and discuss the medication kit to take with you on the trip. And take (if possible) your phone number for emergency communication.