Cystitis is a disease accompanied by damage to the mucous membrane and walls of the bladder. This disease leads to a gradual disruption of the organ's functions. According to statistics, women are more susceptible to this pathology than men. According to official data, cystitis is diagnosed in 0. 8% of men who have crossed the forty-year mark.
The relatively low prevalence of cystitis in male patients is due to the structural features of the urethra. In men it is longer than in women. Because of this, it is much more difficult for the infection to enter the bladder.
In most cases, the pathology develops against the background of blockage of the bladder outlet. This includes subvesical compression of the bladder, which becomes an obstacle to the free passage 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 excretory system of the stronger sex is more susceptible to the development of various pathologies that can lead to damage to the walls and mucous membrane of the bladder.
Cystitis in men is a consequence of an inflammatory process in the area of the prostate gland, testicles and urethra. There are other causes of this disease:
Urological problems that provoke retention of urine in the body (too narrow urethra).
Adenoma of the prostate.
Diverticular disease.
Infectious diseases that are transmitted through intimate contact. These include gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Prostatitis, inflammation of the urethra, vesiculitis. The listed diseases can cause pathological changes in the functioning of the bladder.
The presence of a mechanical barrier (in particular, stone formation).
Performed urological operations in the recent past.
Malignant neoplasm in the urethra or prostate gland.
Infections located in the upper respiratory tract. If the patient gets sick with ARVI or tonsillitis, bacteria can penetrate through the systemic blood flow into the organs of the genitourinary system. Thus, cystitis can be a consequence 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 inhabitants are carriers of the infection. Many people have reduced immunity due to frequent drinking of alcohol, prolonged stress, consumption of unhealthy foods and prolonged smoking. Due to the above factors, there is a transition from the latent phase of bacterial activity to the active phase. As a result, damage occurs not only to the lungs, but also to other organs:
prostate gland;
testicles;
kidney
In some situations, culturing with Koch bacillus produces a false-negative result. The infectious disease is disguised as another pathology (no less serious). This leads to failure to prescribe the correct treatment on time.
There are other factors that provoke a decrease in immunity: increased blood sugar, hypothermia, chronic lack of sleep, spinal injuries.
Signs of cystitis in men
In the acute phase of the disease, a person must empty his bladder frequently. In this case, a very small amount of urine may be released when visiting the toilet.
A sharp pain may occur when emptying the bladder. As a rule, the pain appears at the beginning and at the end of urination. Their expression may vary. Pain sensations can be tolerable or intense. In the intervals between visits to the toilet, men experience discomfort in the penis, pubis and groin area.
With cystitis, the body temperature often rises. General signs of intoxication may appear. The person experiences a constant lack of strength and complains of headaches. If such symptoms occur, hospital treatment is recommended.
Sometimes the disease is severe and gangrenous and hemorrhagic cystitis may occur. The resulting urine is cloudy. In it, you can see mucous or bloody inclusions, and it has a putrid, unpleasant smell. At the same time, the amount of fluid released by the body throughout the day is reduced to 0. 3 liters.
When the disease becomes chronic, the pain becomes less intense. 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-infectious;
infectious.
There are several ways to get a bladder infection:
Rise.In this case, the infection penetrates from the external environment into the bladder.
Descent.The infection enters the bladder from other organs (especially the kidneys).
Lymphogenic.In this case, an infection of the bladder through the lymphatic vessels is observed.
Hematogenous.If there is a purulent focus in the body, the infection can spread from this problem area via blood. It then enters the bladder.
It is worth mentioning the non-infectious causes of the pathology:
allergic reaction leading to an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the bladder;
deterioration of the functions of the nervous or immune systems;
chemical burn - due to a medical worker's error, the patient may receive the wrong medicine prescribed by the doctor;
attending radiation therapy sessions that include exposure to the pubic area.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you find at least a few symptoms of cystitis, you should not delay visiting a urologist. After a thorough examination, the specialist will prescribe complex treatment.
In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, a man is recommended to undergo the following diagnostic procedures:
Urogenital pap smear.This procedure is designed to diagnose hidden infections that are transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Bacterial culture.This analysis is necessary to establish the type of pathogen and to determine its sensitivity to certain drugs.
Taking a general urine test.In the presence of inflammation, an increased content of red blood cells and white blood cells will be found. The acidic reaction of the urine indicates the presence of tuberculosis infection in the body.
Performing a cystoscopy.An informative diagnostic procedure can be performed only in the absence of an acute phase of the disease. Stones, tumors and other foreign bodies can be detected during cystoscopy. If necessary, biomaterial is collected for further diagnostic procedures.
If you experience constant urinary retention and severe acute pain, you should be careful with painkillers. 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 adhere to the following recommendations:
Maintaining bed rest.Antipyretic drugs are indicated for fever. You also need to remember the correct drinking regime. In addition, patients should temporarily exclude acidic and smoked foods from the diet and adhere to a strict diet. When preparing food, you should use a minimum of spices and seasonings.
Use of herbal medicines.Doctors often prescribe herbal teas that have antibacterial and diuretic effects. Such products contain natural ingredients (horsetail, gooseberry). To reduce the intense inflammatory process, preparations based on medicinal herbs are used. To strengthen the immune system, drink cranberry fruit juice. When using herbal medicines, 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.
Conducting PCR diagnostics.It is required to detect sexually transmitted viruses. The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor (taking into account the type of pathogen).
Medicines with analgesic properties.To eliminate pain, it is recommended to prescribe antispasmodics. In some situations, the prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated.
Taking drugs with a pronounced antibacterial effect.Such drugs are prescribed after determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to the prescribed drugs. In the treatment of cystitis, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are actively used. Such drugs are used only after consulting a doctor. However, the duration of their use should not exceed 1 week.
Help with an attack of acute cystitis
In order to alleviate the patient's condition in the acute phase of cystitis, it is recommended to drink a large amount of liquid. Activates the removal of pathogenic microorganisms. As a result, the patient's well-being will gradually improve.
In advanced forms of the disease, the best option is taking antispasmodics. Such drugs help to reduce the tone of the smooth muscles located in the area of the bladder. Analgesics are used to relieve pain.
Taking antibiotics without a urologist's prescription is strictly prohibited. This can lead to a 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 treat yourself without consulting a doctor, you will only be able to 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 in men increases:
with irregular emptying of the bladder;
lack of vitamins;
maintaining a sedentary lifestyle;
unprotected intercourse;
frequent change of sexual partners;
prolonged overload;
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;
lowered immunity.
Complications of the disease
You should 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 degeneration of the epithelium, this organ gradually loses its elasticity and noticeably decreases in size. A consequence of cystitis is the loss of the ability to regenerate tissues. This can cause the bladder to rupture.
Kidney damage.The most common complication of untreated cystitis is pyelonephritis. An even more serious consequence is the development of kidney failure. This happens against the background of severe intoxication of the kidney tissue from waste products of pathogenic microorganisms.
Weakening of the bladder sphincter, leading to urinary incontinence.Most often, this complication is diagnosed in elderly patients.
Depression against the background of the chronicity of the disease.Relapses of cystitis can occur several times a month. At that time, the man becomes a "hostage of the toilet", his psychological condition deteriorates significantly.
Note!In the absence of appropriate treatment, the risk of chronification of the disease is quite high. In this case, damage to both the bladder and other organs of the genitourinary system is observed.
How to avoid the development of the disease?
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 recommended to use a simple baby soap that does not contain dyes or other harmful synthetic components.
Give preference to clothing suitable for the weather. Against the background of hypothermia, not only cystitis can develop, but also more serious pathologies that become the cause of infertility.
It is good for both partners to wash with soap before and after intercourse.
Use condoms during intimacy.
Take care to boost your own immunity. This is especially true if a member of the stronger sex is prone to frequent ARVI. If the functions of the immune system are impaired, you should consult an immunologist.
Do not try to hold back urination. With prolonged retention of urine, a rapid development of an infection in the bladder is possible.
Change your underwear daily.
Drink enough fluids.
Avoid wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
After a bowel movement, wash from front to back. Otherwise, the bacteria will transfer 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 to prevent 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 fluid per day. Berry or fruit juices, blackcurrant fruit juice and still drinking water are ideal for this purpose. It is recommended to forget about drinking drinks containing alcohol and soda for a while.
Osteopathic techniques are sometimes used in the treatment of cystitis. This speeds up the patient's recovery process.
If indicated, the use of acupuncture methods is indicated. These include impact on special biological points. This technique has a minimal number of contraindications and side effects.