Cystitis is a disease accompanied by damage to the mucous membrane and bladder wall. This disease leads to a gradual disruption of the organ's functions. According to statistics, women are more prone to this pathology than male patients. According to official data, cystitis is diagnosed in 0. 8% of men over the age of forty.
The relatively low incidence of urethritis in male patients is due to the structural characteristics of the urethra. It is longer in men than in women. Therefore, it is much more difficult for the infection to enter the bladder.
In most cases, the pathology develops against the background of bladder outlet obstruction. This involves subvesical compression of the bladder, which prevents the free flow of urine.
Causes of cystitis
To reduce the risk of cystitis in men under the age of 40, you should carefully follow the rules of intimate hygiene. After reaching this age, the urinary system of the stronger sex is more sensitive to the development of various pathologies that can lead to damage to the bladder wall and mucous membrane.
In men, cystitis is the result of an inflammatory process occurring in the prostate, testicles and urethra. There are other causes of this disease:
Urological problems that cause urinary retention in the body (too narrow urethra).
Prostate adenoma.
Diverticular disease.
Infectious diseases spread through intimate intimacy. These include gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Prostatitis, urethritis, cystitis. The listed diseases can cause pathological changes in the functioning of the bladder.
The presence of a mechanical barrier (especially stone formation).
He recently had urological surgery.
Malignant tumor in the urethra or prostate gland.
Infections localized in the upper respiratory tract. If the patient gets sick with ARVI or tonsillitis, bacteria can penetrate the organs of the urogenital system through the systemic bloodstream. Thus, cystitis can be the result of any infection (regardless of its location).
In some cases, the disease develops due to pyelonephritis or renal tuberculosis. The latter usually occurs without pronounced symptoms and is accompanied by fatigue, weakness and a slight increase in body temperature.
About 90% of the world's population is a carrier of the infection. Many people have reduced immunity due to frequent alcohol consumption, long-term stress, eating unhealthy foods and long-term smoking. As a result of the above factors, a transition from the latent phase of bacterial activity to the active phase occurs. As a result, not only the lungs, but also other organs are damaged:
prostate;
testicles;
kidney
In some situations, when cultured with Koch's bacillus, a false negative result is obtained. An infectious disease disguises itself as another (no less serious) pathology. This leads to the fact that the appropriate treatment is not prescribed in time.
There are other factors that cause a decrease in immunity: increased blood sugar, hypothermia, chronic lack of sleep, injuries to the spinal column.
Symptoms of cystitis in men
In the acute phase of the disease, the man has to empty his bladder often. In this case, a very small amount of urine may be released during a visit to the toilet.
Sharp pain may occur when emptying the bladder. Pain usually occurs at the beginning and end of urination. Their expression may vary. Pain can be tolerable or intense. In the intervals between visits to the toilet, men experience discomfort in the penis, pubic area and groin.
In case of cystitis, the body temperature often rises. General signs of poisoning may occur. The man feels a constant lack of strength and complains of a headache. If such symptoms occur, hospitalization is recommended.
Sometimes the disease is severe, and gangrenous and hemorrhagic cystitis may occur. The urine formed is cloudy. Mucous or bloody inclusions can be seen in it, and it has a putrid, unpleasant smell. At the same time, the amount of fluid secreted by the body during the day decreases to 0. 3 liters.
As the disease becomes chronic, the pain becomes less intense. The urine is no longer bloody, but mucous inclusions may still be present. In addition, the transition of chronic cystitis to the acute stage is possible at any time.
The causes of the disease can be:
non-contagious;
infectious.
There are several ways to get a bladder infection:
Rising.In this case, the infection enters the bladder from the external environment.
Decreasing.The infection enters the bladder from other organs (especially the kidneys).
Lymphogenic.In this case, infection of the bladder can be observed through the lymphatic vessels.
Hematogenous.If there is a purulent focus in the body, the infection can spread from this problem area through the bloodstream. After that, it enters the bladder.
It is worth mentioning the non-infectious causes of the pathology:
an allergic reaction that leads to an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the bladder;
deterioration of the functions of the nervous system or the immune system;
chemical burn - due to the error of the healthcare worker, the patient may not receive the medicine prescribed by the doctor;
attending radiation therapy sessions that affect the pubic area.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you notice at least some symptoms of cystitis, you should not postpone a visit to the urologist. After a thorough examination, the specialist prescribes a comprehensive treatment.
In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, the man must undergo the following diagnostic procedures:
Urogenital smear.This procedure is used to diagnose hidden sexually transmitted infections.
Bacterial culture.This analysis is necessary to determine the type of pathogen and to determine its sensitivity to certain drugs.
General urinalysis.In the presence of inflammation, an increased content of red blood cells and white blood cells can be detected. An acidic urine reaction indicates the presence of tuberculosis infection in the body.
Performing a cystoscopy.An informative diagnostic procedure can only be performed in the absence of an acute phase of the disease. Stones, tumors and other foreign bodies can be detected during cystoscopy. If necessary, biological material is collected for further diagnostic procedures.
If you experience constant urinary retention and intense acute pain, you should be careful when using pain relievers. In this case, the representative of the stronger sex needs urgent hospitalization.
Basic recommendations for the treatment of cystitis
During the treatment of the disease, patients should follow the following recommendations:
Maintaining bed rest.Antipyretic drugs are recommended for high temperatures. It is also necessary to remember the correct drinking system. In addition, patients should temporarily exclude sour and smoked foods from the diet and follow a strict diet. A minimum amount of spices and seasonings should be used when preparing food.
Use of herbal medicines.Doctors often prescribe herbal teas that are antibacterial and diuretic. Such products contain natural ingredients (sea buckthorn, bearberry). Medicinal preparations are used to reduce the intense inflammatory process. Drink cranberry juice to strengthen the immune system. When using herbal remedies, it is impossible to achieve a quick effect. Such products require long-term use. Herbal medicines are not considered essential. They are used only as part of the complex treatment of cystitis.
Performing PCR diagnostics.Detection of sexually transmitted viruses is necessary. The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor (taking into account the type of pathogen).
Medicines with pain-relieving properties.In order to eliminate the pain, it is recommended to prescribe antispasmodics. In some cases, the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is recommended.
Taking drugs with a specific antibacterial effect.Such drugs are prescribed after determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to the prescribed drugs. Cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are actively used in the treatment of cystitis. Such drugs are used only after consultation with a doctor. However, the duration of their use may not exceed 1 week.
Help in an attack of acute cystitis
In the acute phase of cystitis, in order to relieve the patient's condition, it is recommended to drink a large amount of liquid. Activates the removal of pathogenic microorganisms. Consequently, the patient's well-being will gradually improve.
In advanced forms of the disease, the best solution is to take anticonvulsants. Such drugs help reduce the tone of the smooth muscles in the bladder area. Analgesics are used to relieve pain.
Taking antibiotics without a urologist's prescription is strictly prohibited. This can lead to distortion of the results of diagnostic tests. As a result, identifying the cause of the disease will be significantly more difficult. If you try to get treatment without consulting a doctor, you can only temporarily eliminate the main symptoms of the pathology. In addition, there is a high risk of cystitis becoming chronic.
Existing risk factors
The risk of cystitis increases in men:
with irregular bladder emptying;
vitamin deficiency;
maintaining a sedentary lifestyle;
unprotected sex;
frequent change of sexual partners;
prolonged overtime;
the presence of a foreign body in the area of the bladder;
wearing uncomfortable underwear;
the presence of chronic diseases of the male genital organs;
reduced immunity.
Complications of the disease
Do not try to treat cystitis on your own. In the absence of appropriate therapy, the following consequences may occur:
Changes in the structure of the bladder.Against the background of epithelial degeneration, this organ gradually loses its elasticity and noticeably decreases in size. The consequence of cystitis is also the loss of tissue regeneration ability. This can result in a ruptured bladder.
Kidney damage.The most common complication of untreated cystitis is pyelonephritis. An even more serious consequence is the development of kidney failure. This occurs against the background of severe poisoning of the kidney tissue caused by waste products of pathogenic microorganisms.
Weakening of the bladder sphincter, which leads to urinary incontinence.This complication is most often diagnosed in elderly patients.
Depression in the background of the disease becoming chronic.Recurrence of cystitis may occur several times a month. Then the man becomes a "hostage of the toilet", and his psychological condition deteriorates significantly.
Note!In the absence of proper treatment, the risk of the disease becoming chronic is quite high. In this case, damage to the bladder and other organs of the urogenital system can be observed.
How can the disease be avoided?
In order to minimize the risk of developing the disease, you should follow the following recommendations:
Wash at least once a day. In this case, it is advisable to use a simple baby soap that does not contain dyes or other harmful synthetic ingredients.
Prefer clothing suitable for the weather. Not only cystitis can develop against the background of hypothermia, but also more serious pathologies that become the cause of infertility.
It is good for both partners to wash with soap before and after sex.
Use a condom during intimacy.
Take care to increase your own immunity. This is especially true if the representative of the stronger sex is susceptible to frequent ARVI. If the functioning of the immune system is impaired, it is worth contacting an immunologist.
Do not try to hold back urination. In the case of prolonged urinary retention, a rapid development of bladder infection is possible.
Change your underwear daily.
Drink enough fluids.
Avoid wearing underwear made of synthetic materials.
After defecating, wash from front to back. Otherwise, the bacteria are transferred from the intestines to the external male genitalia. From there, pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate into the urethra and then into the bladder.
Follow the recommendations for preventing constipation.
Do not take medicines without a doctor's prescription.
During an acute attack of cystitis, it is recommended to drink about 2 liters of liquid per day. Berry or fruit juices, currant juice and non-carbonated drinking water are ideal for this purpose. It is recommended to forget the consumption of drinks containing alcohol and soda for a while.
Osteopathic techniques are sometimes used to treat cystitis. This speeds up the patient's healing process.
In appropriate cases, the use of acupuncture methods is recommended. They involve influencing special biological points. This technique has a minimal number of contraindications and side effects.