Risk factors

Some people, especially women, are more susceptible to bladder infections or recurrent urinary tract infections. The main reason for this tendency to urinary infections are especially female anatomy. Women have a shorter urethra than men, so the distance that must be overcome bacteria to get into the bladder in women less.

Increased risk of urinary tract infections are subjected to the following categories of women:

• sexually active. Intercourse can cause penetration of bacteria into the urethra.
• using certain types of contraceptives. Women who use an intrauterine device are at increased risk of UTI. Spirals containing spermicides, further increase the risk of UTI.
• pregnant. Hormonal changes during pregnancy increase the risk of bladder infections.

Other risk factors in men and women include:

• Violation of the cross flow of urine. This occurs in the presence of stones in the bladder Urinary bladder - structure and function Or prostate enlargement in men.
• Violations of the immune system The immune system - how it works? . Such violations occur in diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease , HIV and cancer therapy. A weakened immune system increases the risk of bacterial and, in some cases, viral infections of the bladder.
• Long-term use of catheters. Catheters are needed for people suffering from certain chronic diseases, and the elderly. Long-term use of catheters can lead to increased susceptibility to bacterial infections as well as damage to the bladder tissue.

Complications cystitis

With timely and properly selected treatment of bladder infections rarely lead to complications. But if left untreated, can result in serious complications, including:

• Kidney infection. Untreated bladder infection can lead to kidney infection (pyelonephritis), which in turn leads to damage to the kidneys. The greatest risk of damage to the kidneys due to an infection of the bladder exposed to small children and the elderly, because they have the symptoms are often overlooked or wrongly attributed to other diseases.
• Blood in the urine. Cystitis is sometimes accompanied by the presence of blood cells in the urine Blood in the urine - a reason for serious concern That can only be viewed with a microscope (microscopic hematuria). In most cases, the treatment helps to restore normal urine. If the red blood cells present in the urine, and after a course of treatment, your doctor may recommend to consult a specialist, who will determine whether there is another reason.

Although blood in the urine, visible to the naked eye (gross hematuria), rare in a typical bacterial cystitis, it is one of the characteristic features of radiation cystitis (sometimes called hemorrhagic cystitis). Increased consumption of liquid as is normally the first step in treatment. If the amount of blood in the urine increases, the treatment, he was summoned to suspend until the bleeding stops. In severe bleeding or blood transfusions prescribed medical treatment if necessary.

Why can begin cystitis

Cystitis - an inflammation of the bladder wall - the most common urological disease that occurs is more common in women because they have a short and wide urethra (in men the urethra is longer and narrower, so the infection is often delayed there, causing urethritis). Cystitis are acute and chronic.

Cystitis are infectious and noninfectious. Cystitis noninfectious origin occur during stimulation of the bladder mucosa are excreted in urine chemicals, including drugs with prolonged use at high doses (eg, fenatsitinovy ​​urotropinovy ​​or cystitis). The reason may be non-infectious cystitis and burns (accidental introduction into the bladder of concentrated chemical solutions or solutions having a temperature above 45 ° when rinsing), mucosal damage foreign body (e.g., urinary stone) and so on.

But as a rule, based cystitis is an infection. Infectious agents can penetrate into the bladder in inflammatory processes in the urethra or vulva (ascending infection), kidney diseases (downward infection, such as tuberculosis, kidney) in the presence of foci of infection in the other organs and tissues (with blood or lymph).

Infectious agents may be E. coli, Proteus, Staphylococcus, various fungi, Trichomonas Trichomonas - leads to infertility   and other microorganisms. Since the bladder mucosa has a significant resistance to infection, one infection is usually not enough for the development of cystitis, we need more and other predisposing factors: hypothermia, fatigue, exhaustion, the state after a serious illness or operation, violation of the outflow and stagnation of urine, which may occur at background of some other diseases of the genitourinary organs (prostate adenoma, narrowing of the urethra, and so on).

Symptoms

The most common signs and symptoms of cystitis Cystitis - symptoms: spasms, cramps and discomfort   relate:

• strong, persistent urge to urinate;
• burning sensation when urinating;
• frequent urination with a small amount of urine;
• blood in the urine (hematuria);
• muddy color and sharp unpleasant smell of urine;
• discomfort in the pelvic area;
• a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen;
• a slight increase in temperature.

In young children, episodes of urinary incontinence (enuresis) can also be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI), especially if urination occurs:

• both night and day;
• only during the day;
• at least once a week.

Bedwetting may itself be associated with a urinary tract infection.

How does acute cystitis

Acute cystitis occurs suddenly after a certain time after hypothermia or exposure Other triggers. In this inflammatory process is usually only affects the bladder mucosa. The main symptoms of acute cystitis are frequent painful urination, pain in the lower abdomen, the presence of pus in the urine (based on the results of laboratory research). The intensity of pain during urination increases, the pain takes nearly permanent, patients (especially children) are sometimes unable to hold urine.

Sometimes all of these phenomena are within 2-3 days without treatment. However, most acute cystitis Acute cystitis: Treat treated responsibly Even when time begun treatment lasts 6-8 days. Longer during indicates the presence of concomitant diseases (eg, BPH).

Symptoms of chronic cystitis

Chronic cystitis occurs when the incorrect treatment of acute cystitis Treatment of acute cystitis: an integrated approach While in the process involves the entire wall of the bladder. Its main symptoms are the same as the symptoms of acute cystitis, but less pronounced. Chronic cystitis occurs either as a continuous process with constant more or less severe signs of disease or has a relapsing course, when the acute illness with alternating light intervals.