Cystitis is a disease associated with damage to the mucous membrane and bladder walls. This disease leads to a gradual disruption of organ functions. According to statistics, women are more susceptible to this pathology than male patients. According to official data, 0. 8% of men who have crossed the forty-year mark are diagnosed with cystitis.
The relatively low prevalence of cystitis in male patients is due to the structural features of the urethra. It is longer in men than in women. Therefore, it is much more difficult for an infection to enter the bladder.
In most cases, the pathology develops against the background of bladder outlet obstruction. This results in subvesical compression of the bladder, which hinders the free passage of urine.
Causes of cystitis
To reduce the risk of cystitis in men under 40, you must carefully follow the rules of intimate hygiene. From this age, the urinary 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 the inflammatory process in the prostate, testicles and urethra. There are other causes of this disease:
Urological problems that cause urine retention in the body (urethra that is too narrow).
Prostate adenoma.
Diverticulosis.
Infectious diseases transmitted through intimate intimacy. These include gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Prostatitis, inflammation of the urethra, vesiculitis. The listed diseases can lead to pathological changes in bladder function.
The presence of a mechanical barrier (especially stone formation).
I have recently performed urological surgeries.
Malignant neoplasm in the urethra or prostate.
Infections localized in the upper respiratory tract. When a patient becomes ill with ARVI or tonsillitis, bacteria can penetrate into the organs of the genitourinary system through the systemic bloodstream. Thus, cystitis can be a result of any infection (regardless of localization).
In some cases, the disease develops due to pyelonephritis or renal tuberculosis. The latter usually occurs without any 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, 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. This not only causes damage to the lungs, but also to other organs:
prostate gland;
testicles;
kidney
In some situations, a false negative result is obtained when culturing with Koch's bacillus. An infectious disease disguises itself as another (no less serious) pathology. This leads to the correct treatment not being prescribed in a timely manner.
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 man has to empty his bladder frequently. In this case, there may be very little urine output when going to the toilet.
Severe pain may occur when emptying the bladder. Pain usually occurs at the beginning and end of urination. Your expression may vary. Pain sensations can be either bearable or intense. During the breaks between going to the toilet, men experience discomfort in the penis, pubic and groin areas.
When a bladder infection occurs, the body temperature often rises. General symptoms of intoxication may occur. The man feels a constant lack of strength and complains of headaches. If such symptoms occur, treatment in hospital is recommended.
Sometimes the disease is severe and gangrenous and hemorrhagic cystitis may occur. The urine produced is cloudy. You can see slimy or bloody inclusions in it and it has a putrid, unpleasant smell. At the same time, the amount of fluid distributed by the body throughout the day is reduced to 0. 3 liters.
As the disease becomes chronic, the pain becomes less intense. There are no longer any bloody impurities in the urine, but there may still be mucus inclusions in it. In addition, chronic cystitis can transition into the acute stage at any time.
The causes of the disease can be:
Non-infectious;
contagious.
There are different types of cystitis:
Rising.In this case, the infection penetrates the bladder from the external environment.
Descending.The infection invades the bladder from other organs (especially the kidneys).
Lymphogenic.In this case, infection of the bladder via the lymphatic vessels is observed.
Hematogenous.If there is a purulent lesion in the body, the infection can spread from this problem area via the bloodstream. It then enters the bladder.
It is worth mentioning the non-infectious causes of pathology:
an allergic reaction that leads to an inflammatory process in the bladder mucosa;
Deterioration of nervous or immune system functions;
Chemical burns – due to an error by a medical staff, the patient may be given the wrong medication prescribed by the doctor;
Participation in radiotherapy sessions that expose 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 will prescribe comprehensive treatment.
To make an accurate diagnosis, a man is recommended to undergo the following diagnostic procedures:
Urogenital smear.This procedure is used to diagnose hidden infections that are transmitted through sexual intercourse.
Bacterial culture.This analysis is necessary to establish the type of pathogen and determine its sensitivity to certain drugs.
Conducting a general urine test.If inflammation is present, an increased level of red and white blood cells is detected. An acidic urine reaction indicates the presence of a tuberculosis infection in the body.
Performing a cystoscopy.A meaningful diagnosis can only be carried out if there is no acute phase of the disease. Cystoscopy can detect stones, tumors and other foreign bodies. If necessary, biomaterial is collected for further diagnostic procedures.
If you suffer from constant urinary retention and severe acute pain, you should be careful when taking painkillers. In this case, the representative of the stronger sex needs to be urgently hospitalized.
Basic recommendations for the treatment of cystitis
When treating the disease, patients should adhere to the recommendations listed below:
Maintain bed rest.If the temperature is elevated, antipyretic medications are indicated. You also need to remember the correct drinking regime. In addition, patients should temporarily exclude sour and smoked foods from the menu and follow 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, bearberry). 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 remedies, a quick effect cannot be achieved. Such products require long-term use. Herbal medicines are not considered absolutely necessary. They are used only as part of a complex treatment of cystitis.
Carrying out PCR diagnostics.It is necessary to detect viruses that are sexually transmitted. The treatment regimen is selected by the doctor (taking into account the type of pathogen).
Medicines with pain-relieving properties.To eliminate pain, it is recommended to prescribe antispasmodics. In some situations, the prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated.
Taking medications 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 use should not exceed 1 week.
Help with an attack of acute cystitis
To alleviate the patient's condition in the acute phase of cystitis, it is recommended to consume large amounts of fluid. It activates the removal of pathogenic microorganisms. This will gradually improve the patient's well-being.
In advanced forms of the disease, taking antispasmodics is the best option. Such drugs help reduce the tone of smooth muscles in the bladder area. Analgesics are used to relieve pain.
Taking antibiotics without a urological prescription is strictly prohibited. This can lead to bias in the results of diagnostic studies. This makes it much more difficult to determine the cause of the disease. If you try to seek 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 in men increases:
with irregular bladder emptying;
vitamin deficiency;
maintaining a sedentary lifestyle;
unprotected sexual intercourse;
frequent change of sexual partners;
longer revision;
the presence of a foreign body in the bladder area;
wearing uncomfortable underwear;
the presence of chronic diseases of the male genital organs;
reduced immunity.
Complications of the disease
You should not try to treat a bladder infection yourself. Without appropriate therapy, the following consequences can 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. A consequence of a bladder infection is also the loss of the ability to regenerate tissue. This can lead to 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 happens against the background of severe poisoning of kidney tissue by waste products of pathogenic microorganisms.
Weakening of the bladder sphincter, leading to urinary incontinence.This complication is most often diagnosed in elderly patients.
Depression against the background of chronic illness.Recurrent bladder infections can occur several times a month. At this point, the man becomes a "hostage of the toilet" and his mental state deteriorates significantly.
Take note!Without proper treatment, the risk of the disease becoming chronic is very high. In this case, damage to both the bladder and other organs of the urogenital system is observed.
How to avoid the development of the disease?
To minimize the risk of developing the disease, you must follow the following recommendations:
Wash yourself at least once a day. In this case, it is recommended to use simple baby soap that does not contain dyes or other harmful synthetic components.
Prefer weather-appropriate clothing. 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 sexual contact.
Use condoms during intimacy.
Be sure to strengthen your own immunity. This is especially true if a representative 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 urinary retention, a rapid development of cystitis is possible.
Change your underwear daily.
Drink enough fluids.
Avoid wearing underwear made from synthetic fabrics.
Wash from front to back after bowel movements. Otherwise, bacteria will be transferred from the intestines to the external male genitals. From there, pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate the urethra and then the bladder.
Follow recommendations to prevent constipation.
Do not take any medication without a doctor's prescription.
During an acute attack of cystitis, it is recommended to drink about 2 liters of fluid daily. Berry or fruit juices, blackcurrant fruit juice and still drinking water are ideal for this. It is recommended to forget about consuming alcoholic and carbonated drinks for a while.
Sometimes osteopathic techniques are used in the treatment of bladder infections. This speeds up the patient's recovery process.
If indicated, the use of acupuncture methods is indicated. This involves influencing specific biological points. This technique has a minimal number of contraindications and side effects.