Dorothy FarrarCystitis
Bladder inflammation ( cystitis ) is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the bladder or the bladder wall. A cystitis is extremely painful and represents a severe disturbance of the general condition. The cause lies in a weakness of the immune system . But also anatomically caused bladder emptying disorders can lead to cystitis.
What is bladder infection (cystitis)?
A bladder infection is an infection of the urinary bladder, usually caused by bacteria in the intestinal flora (Escherichia coli). Viruses or fungal infections are also possible pathogens. Since the pathogen enters the bladder from the outside through the urethra, it is also referred to as an ascending infection.
For this reason, a bladder infection is always accompanied by a urethral infection, which contributes significantly to the painfulness of the disease. A complication of cystitis is inflammation of the renal pelvis , which occurs when the pathogen rises through the ureters. In medicine, a distinction is made between acute and chronic cystitis.
causes
A combination of several causes is usually responsible for the development of a bladder infection.An immune deficiency of the bladder mucosa, a bladder emptying disorder (cyst prolapse, chronic constipation ) as well as a too high sugar content in the urine ( diabetes ) come into consideration.
Hypothermia and chronically cold feet, not drinking enough water and mechanical irritation from sexual intercourse or medical examinations are among the possible triggers of cystitis.
Although men can also get cystitis, women are much more likely to be affected because of their shorter urethra.
Many patients suffering from recurring cystitis consistently report that stress makes the disease worse. The variety of possible causes requires individual diagnosis and treatment if the bladder infection is not to become chronic.
When to the doctor?
A doctor’s visit is recommended for a bladder infection if the symptoms continue to increase during the course of the disease or if there are accompanying symptoms. Fever can be a sign of a kidney infection requiring treatment, while severe pain in the bladder area indicates a serious urinary tract infection . Anyone who keeps suffering from bladder infections should see their family doctor or urologist to clarify the causes.
The same applies if the symptoms are triggered by medication or if there is another concomitant disease such as diabetes. Pregnant women should also consult a doctor if they have a bladder infection. Other risk groups are patients with immunosuppression or bladder dysfunction as well as cardiovascular patients, allergy sufferers and those returning from a trip to the tropics.
If in doubt, children and men should also seek medical advice, especially if the urinary tract infection occurred for no apparent reason. In this case, there may be an underlying condition that needs to be treated first. If the symptoms are mild, you can wait until the next day. If a lot of drinking and warmth do not bring any improvement, we recommend going to the family doctor.
symptoms and course
The onset of cystitis becomes noticeable through a vague discomfort in the bladder region, usually accompanied by slight chills . After a day or two, there is a strong urge to urinate and burning bladder pain. The urge to urinate is independent of how full the bladder is, and it is extremely painful to urinate. The urine itself is cloudy. In the further course, visible blood admixtures can occur.
Extreme bladder spasms, which often occur with a bladder infection, can lead to involuntary urination. Additional fever indicates that the cystitis pathogens have ascended to the renal pelvis ( renal pelvis infection ). An inflammation of the renal pelvis absolutely requires medical treatment in order to avoid damage to the kidneys. At the latest now it is no longer a »simple« bladder infection!
Diagnose
To diagnose a bladder infection, a detailed discussion about the patient’s medical history is held with the patient. During the course of the conversation, the doctor will ask about symptoms and possible risk factors. The physical examination follows. You will also be asked to provide a urine sample. Examination of the urine is essential for diagnosing a bladder infection. It is examined for bacteria and possible blood admixtures.
Three test methods are available: testing with special test strips (Stix), examination under a microscope and urine culture. Which method is used depends on factors such as the patient’s age, possible pregnancy and other illnesses. Examination with a test strip is not sufficient to determine a bladder infection. Here only the presence of bacteria in larger quantities is detected. The so-called midstream urine is important for a “clean” urine sample. For this purpose, the urine is collected from the running stream of urine. Further examinations can be an ultrasound examination or a cystoscopy .
complications
If the cystitis pathogens ascend into the kidneys, inflammation of the renal pelvis (pyelonephritis) can occur. This is often accompanied by pain in the flanks, fatigue, fever and chills. In severe cases, nausea, dizziness and vomiting can also occur. In severe cases, an untreated inflammation of the renal pelvis can lead to accumulations of pus (abscesses) and permanent damage to the kidney tissue. A life-threatening course occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream and thereby trigger blood poisoning ( urosepsis ). Another possible complication of cystitis is chronic infection of the urinary tract (recurrent cystitis).
During pregnancy, inflammation of the bladder can, in rare cases and without treatment, be associated with high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia) and premature labor. The latter can result in premature births or miscarriages as well as a reduced birth weight. In men, inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis) is also possible as a result of a difficult course. Similar to pyelonephritis, the cystitis pathogens can move through the vas deferens into the epididymis. This is accompanied by pain and swelling of the scrotum and epididymis. Symptoms similar to those of cystitis can also occur. Timely therapy with antibiotics can reduce the occurrence of complications from acute inflammation of the bladder.
treatment and therapy
The treatment of a bladder infection should start as early as possible. Patients who have experience with chronic cystitis know the warning signs even before the first pain occurs. At this stage, the bladder infection can still be warded off by drinking a large amount of water (kidney-bladder tea).
An old household remedy is to add a pinch of baking soda to kill the pathogens. Also helpful against cystitis is cranberry juice, which is available in the pharmacy. Lower body and feet should be kept warm.
If you feel very cold, a warm sitz bath will help. If you suffer from chronic constipation, you should take a natural laxative now at the latest, because the large bowel filling can lead to a displacement of the bladder with associated emptying disorders. Such residual urine is an ideal breeding ground for the pathogens of a bladder infection.
If the bladder infection can no longer be stopped, you should have your doctor prescribe an antibiotic . Means such as ciprofloxacin help very quickly, the bladder infection disappears within a few hours.
prevention
A bladder infection can easily become chronic. Frequently, minimal remnants of the pathogen remain, which retreat into the bladder mucosa and wait for their opportunity. Prevention is therefore important after surviving a bladder infection.
Anyone who is prone to cystitis should protect themselves from cold feet and make sure they drink enough. Crop tops and hipsters should be avoided. Be careful with coffee and alcohol: they irritate the bladder mucosa. Consistent stress reduction ( autogenic training , meditation) also helps to prevent further bladder infections.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.