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 male patients. 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 characteristics of the urethra. In men it is longer than in women. Therefore, it is much more difficult for the infection to enter the bladder.
In most cases, pathology develops against the background of bladder outlet obstruction. It involves 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 40, it is necessary to carefully follow the rules of intimate hygiene. After reaching this age, the urinary system of the stronger sex becomes more susceptible to the development of various pathologies that can lead to damage to the walls and mucosa 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 (very narrow urethra).
Prostate adenoma.
Diverticular disease.
Infectious diseases that are transmitted through intimacy. 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).
He performed urological surgery in the recent past.
Malignant neoplasm in the urethra or prostate.
Infections located in the upper respiratory tract. If a patient becomes ill with ARVI or tonsillitis, bacteria can penetrate through the systemic bloodstream 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 kidney 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 carry 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, a transition from the latent phase of bacterial activity to the active phase occurs. As a result, damage occurs not only to the lungs, but also to other organs:
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 failure to prescribe appropriate 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, men need to empty their bladder frequently. In this case, when going to the bathroom, a very small amount of urine may be released.
Sharp pain may occur when emptying the bladder. As a rule, pain occurs at the beginning and end of urination. Your expression may vary. Pain sensations can be tolerable or intense. In between trips to the bathroom, men feel discomfort in the penis, pubic area and groin area.
With cystitis, body temperature often increases. General signs of intoxication may occur. The man feels a constant lack of strength and complains of headaches. If such symptoms appear, hospital treatment is recommended.
Sometimes the disease is serious and gangrenous and hemorrhagic cystitis may occur. The urine produced is cloudy. You may see mucous or bloody inclusions and it has a putrid, unpleasant odor. At the same time, the amount of fluid secreted 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 bloody impurities in the urine, but mucous inclusions may still be present. In addition, the transition from chronic cystitis to the acute stage is possible at any time.
The causes of the disease can be:
Non-infectious;
infectious.
There are several forms of bladder infection:
Ascending.In this case, the infection penetrates from the external environment into the bladder.
Downward.The infection enters the bladder from other organs (in particular, the kidneys).
Lymphogenic.In this case, bladder infection is 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. It later enters the bladder.
It is worth highlighting 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 or immune systems;
chemical burn – due to a doctor's error, the patient may receive the wrong medication prescribed by the doctor;
attend radiotherapy sessions that involve exposure to the pubic region.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you detect 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 establish an accurate diagnosis, a man is recommended to undergo the following diagnostic procedures:
Urogenital smear.This procedure aims 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 medications.
Doing a general urine test.In the presence of inflammation, an increase in the content of red blood cells and white blood cells will be detected. An acidic reaction in urine indicates the presence of a tuberculous infection in the body.
Performing cystoscopy.An informative diagnostic procedure can only be carried out in the absence of an acute phase of the disease. When performing cystoscopy, stones, tumors and other foreign bodies can be detected. If necessary, biomaterial is collected for subsequent diagnostic procedures.
If you experience constant urinary retention and severe sharp pains, 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 treatment of the disease, patients must follow the recommendations listed below:
Maintain bed rest.At high temperatures, antipyretic medications are indicated. You also need to remember the correct drinking regime. Also, patients should temporarily exclude acidic and smoked foods from the diet and adhere to a strict diet. When preparing food, a minimum of spices and seasonings should be used.
Use of herbal medicines.Doctors often prescribe herbal teas with antibacterial and diuretic effects. These products contain natural ingredients (horsetail, bearberry). To reduce the intense inflammatory process, preparations based on medicinal herbs are used. To strengthen your immune system, drink fruit juice made from cranberries. When using herbal remedies, it is impossible to achieve a quick effect. These products require long-term use. Herbal medicines are not considered essential. They are used only as part of the complex treatment of cystitis.
Carrying out PCR diagnostics.It is necessary 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 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated.
Taking medications with a pronounced antibacterial effect.Such medications are prescribed after determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to the prescribed medications. In the treatment of cystitis, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones are actively used. These medicines are used only after consultation with a doctor. However, the duration of its use should not exceed 1 week.
Helps with an attack of acute cystitis
To alleviate the patient's condition in the acute phase of cystitis, it is recommended to drink large amounts of fluids. Activates the removal of pathogenic microorganisms. Consequently, the patient's well-being will gradually improve.
In advanced forms of the disease, the best option is to take antispasmodics. These medications help reduce the tone of the smooth muscles located in the bladder region. Analgesics are used to relieve pain.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics without a prescription from a urologist. It can lead to distortion of the results of diagnostic studies. As a result, it will be much more difficult to identify the cause of the disease. If you try to undergo treatment without consulting a doctor, you will only be able to temporarily eliminate the main symptoms of the pathology. Furthermore, 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;
vitamin deficiency;
maintain a sedentary lifestyle;
unprotected sexual intercourse;
frequent change of sexual partners;
prolonged overwork;
the presence of a foreign body in the bladder region;
wear uncomfortable underwear;
the presence of chronic diseases of the male genital organs;
decreased immunity.
Complications of the disease
You should not try to treat cystitis yourself. In the absence of adequate 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. A consequence of cystitis is also the loss of the ability to regenerate tissues. This can result in bladder rupture.
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 intoxication of kidney tissue with residues of pathogenic microorganisms.
Weakening of the bladder sphincter, leading to urinary incontinence.This complication is most often diagnosed in elderly patients.
Depression against the backdrop of the disease becoming chronic.Cystitis recurrences can occur several times a month. At this moment, the man becomes a "bathroom hostage", his psychological state worsens significantly.
Observation!In the absence of adequate treatment, the risk of the disease becoming chronic is quite high. In this case, damage to the bladder and other organs of the genitourinary system is observed.
How to prevent the development of the disease?
To minimize the risk of developing the disease, you need to follow these recommendations:
Wash yourself at least once a day. In this case, it is advisable to use simple baby soap that does not contain dyes or other harmful synthetic components.
Choose clothing suited to 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 themselves with soap before and after sexual contact.
Use condoms during intimacy.
Take care to increase your own immunity. This is especially true if a representative of the stronger sex is susceptible to frequent acute respiratory viral infections. 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, rapid development of bladder infection is possible.
Change your underwear daily.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid wearing underwear made from synthetic fabrics.
After having a bowel movement, wash from front to back. Otherwise, bacteria will be transferred from the intestines to the male external genitalia. From there, pathogenic microorganisms easily penetrate the urethra and then the bladder.
Follow the recommendations to prevent constipation.
Do not take medicines without a prescription.
During an acute attack of cystitis, it is recommended to drink about 2 liters of fluid per day. Berry or fruit juices, currant juice and drinking water are ideal for this purpose. It is recommended to forget about drinking drinks containing alcohol and soft drinks for a while.
Osteopathic techniques are sometimes used to treat cystitis. This speeds up the patient's recovery process.
If indicated, the use of acupuncture methods is indicated. They involve influencing special biological points. This technique has a minimum number of contraindications and side effects.