Treatment of cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammatory disease that develops on the mucous membrane of the bladder. The main symptoms include frequent urges to urinate, lower abdominal pain, itching, and burning in the groin area.

Most often, the cause of the disease — popularly known as bladder cold — is an infection that enters the urethra and ascends further. Triggers may also include exposure to cold, colds, severe allergic reactions, etc.

Cystitis predominantly affects women. It occurs less frequently in men because the male urethra is narrower and longer, which makes it harder for infection to ascend into the bladder.

Cystitis can develop in different ways and have various causes. Treatment in each case varies. Therefore, it is classified according to several criteria.

Depending on the severity of inflammation, cystitis is divided into:

• Acute – presents with pronounced symptoms;

• Chronic – has a sluggish or latent course, with alternating periods of remission and flare-ups.

By cause, cystitis can be:

• Infectious (bacterial, viral, fungal cystitis);

• Allergic;

• Drug-induced, etc.

Depending on whether the cystitis is a complication, it is classified as:

• Primary;

• Secondary (complicated).

In acute inflammation, the patient's condition changes rapidly. Pronounced symptoms appear, allowing a presumptive diagnosis.

Signs of acute cystitis include:

• Frequent urges to urinate;

• Feeling of bladder fullness;

• Pain and burning during urination;

• Lower abdominal pain;

• Changes in urine color, presence of sediment and blood drops;

• Fever;

• General malaise.

Symptoms of cystitis in women and men can be more or less pronounced depending on the degree of inflammation. In some cases, blood appears during cystitis, which is a sign of a more severe course of the disease. In other cases, the patient may only be bothered by frequent urges to the toilet and pain when urinating. Temperature with cystitis appears rarely, mainly with a severe course of the disease and the development of complications.

Chronic cystitis in men and women may have a sluggish or asymptomatic course, periodically causing flare-ups. During these times, the symptoms may intensify, resembling an acute form.

Signs of chronic cystitis may include:

• More frequent urges to urinate;

• Discomfort, burning during urination;

• Pain in the urethral area;

• Lower abdominal pain;

• Changes in the appearance of urine.

The most common cause of cystitis is infection. It can enter the bladder through the urethra or via the bloodstream and lymph from other parts of the body. The latter is more likely in cases of diseases of the urinary or reproductive systems.

Non-infectious inflammation may be caused by irritation of the mucosa due to certain medications, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, allergic reactions to hygiene products, etc.

Risk factors include:

• Chronic infections;

• Inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and reproductive organs;

• Prostate pathologies;

• Hypothermia;

• Weak immune system;

• Diabetes;

• Excess weight;

• Metabolic disorders;

• Frequent urinary retention;

• Improper intimate hygiene;

• Allergies to soaps, gels, etc.;

• Radiation therapy;

• Long-term use of certain medications;

• Chronic stress;

• Frequent consumption of very spicy foods.

In women, cystitis is most often a primary condition, i.e., develops due to infection entering the urethra and bladder. Symptoms in women can be either very pronounced or barely noticeable. In men, due to anatomical features, cystitis usually occurs as a complication of prostatitis or another urogenital disease.

Depending on the source of infection, cystitis develops through:

• Ascending route – infection spreads upward through the urethra;

• Descending route – infection originates in the kidneys and descends via the ureters;

• Hematogenous route – infection spreads through the bloodstream;

• Lymphogenous route – infection is carried via lymphatic fluid (often from pelvic organ diseases);

• Contact route – disease develops after rupture of a prostate abscess into the bladder, entry of an appendicular infiltrate, etc.

Cystitis can be both a complication of other infectious and inflammatory diseases and a trigger for diseases in other urogenital organs.

During the initial consultation, the urologist listens to the patient’s complaints, clarifies when symptoms appeared, and reviews the medical history (chronic diseases, past infections, etc.). A preliminary diagnosis is made based on this, but confirmation requires diagnostic tests, usually including:

• Urinalysis;

• Urine sediment microscopy;

• Complete blood count;

• Blood biochemistry.

Women are also recommended to see a gynecologist or female urologist and get screened for urogenital infections. Men may need a urethral swab and scraping test.

In severe cases, the following may be used:

• Bladder ultrasound;

• Cystoscopy;

• CT scan of abdominal organs.

Bladder ultrasound for cystitis and other instrumental exams help clarify the diagnosis and confirm or exclude other pathologies.

Treatment of acute cystitis is selected based on its type. Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial infections, antifungal agents for fungal infections, etc. Symptom relief medications are also used to reduce pain, burning, and other manifestations.

In most cases, acute cystitis responds well to medication. Many patients feel significantly better the very next day.

To treat chronic bladder inflammation, a comprehensive approach is needed. First, a thorough diagnosis must be performed and an accurate diagnosis made. If infection is present, its type must be identified. Cystoscopy may be prescribed for this purpose. Based on test results, a treatment plan is developed.

Treatment of chronic cystitis may include:

• Medication therapy;

• Phytotherapy;

• Physiotherapy procedures;

• Special hydration regimen;

• Dietary adjustments, etc.

If a patient has chronic cystitis, treatment is always selected individually, taking into account the cause of the disease, the frequency of exacerbations, concomitant pathologies, and the results of the examinations.

For the prevention of cystitis in women and men, the following is recommended:

• carefully adhere to the rules of intimate hygiene;
• avoid prolonged overfilling of the urinary bladder;
• avoid hypothermia, especially during the cold season;
• timely treat diseases of the genitourinary system;
• maintain an adequate drinking regimen — on average 1.5–2 liters of water per day;
• limit the consumption of very spicy, salty, and seasoned foods;
• women should regularly undergo preventive examinations by a gynecologist, and men — by a urologist or andrologist.

Nutrition in cystitis plays an important role in the prevention of complications, as consumed foods affect the composition and concentration of urine. Some substances formed during digestion and excreted from the body by the kidneys may increase urine acidity or irritate the urinary bladder mucosa. Therefore, it is recommended to give preference to vegetables, fruits, cereals, fermented dairy products, and to follow a regular eating regimen. Alcohol, coffee, carbonated beverages, smoked foods, marinades, and spicy seasonings should be limited. In cystitis, the diet should be gentle and combined with sufficient fluid intake to ensure normal urine outflow.

Adherence to preventive recommendations, including lifestyle and dietary adjustments, helps reduce the risk of developing cystitis, prevent recurrences of urinary bladder diseases, and maintain the health of the urinary system in the long term.

Cystitis is a common disease, so many people try to treat it on their own. Often this leads to symptom relief and temporary improvement, but inflammation persists and the condition becomes chronic.

Cystitis may also cause complications such as:

• Paracystitis – inflammation spreads to perivesical fat;

• Urethritis – urethral inflammation;

• Pyelonephritis – kidney inflammation;

• Spread of infection and inflammation to the reproductive organs.

At Oxford Medical, you can undergo lab tests, instrumental exams, and consult an experienced urologist. The doctor will make a diagnosis and prescribe proper bladder treatment. With proper therapy, acute cystitis symptoms can improve within a day, and the condition can be cured in a week or slightly longer. Treating chronic cystitis is more complex but can significantly improve well-being and reduce the risk of recurrence and complications.

The cost of treating urinary bladder inflammation depends on the form of the disease and the chosen treatment strategy. You can ознакомиться with current prices for medical services in Kyiv at the “Oxford Medical” medical center on our website or by contacting the contact center. More detailed information about the treatment program and its cost will be provided by the doctor during the consultation.

You can book an appointment at a convenient time by phone or via the online appointment form on the website.