Cystitis is a disease accompanied by damage to the mucous membrane and walls of the bladder. This disease leads to a progressive 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. This makes it much more difficult for the infection to enter the bladder.
In most cases, the pathology develops against the background of obstruction of the bladder outlet. This is a 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 years old, you must carefully follow the rules of intimate hygiene. After reaching 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 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 retention of urine in the body (too narrow urethra).
Prostate adenoma.
Diverticular disease.
Infectious diseases 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).
Urological surgery performed in the recent past.
Malignant tumor of the urethra or prostate.
Infections localized in the upper respiratory tract. If a patient suffers from ARVI or tonsillitis, bacteria can penetrate through the systemic bloodstream into the organs of the genitourinary system. Thus, cystitis can be the 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 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 the inability to prescribe appropriate treatment on time.
There are other factors that cause 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 must empty his bladder frequently. In this case, when going to the toilet, a very small amount of urine may be released.
Acute pain may occur when emptying the bladder. Typically, pain occurs at the beginning and end of urination. Their expression may vary. Painful sensations can be tolerable or intense. Between visits to the toilet, men experience discomfort in the penis, pubis and groin.
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, treatment in hospital is recommended.
Sometimes the disease is severe and gangrenous and hemorrhagic cystitis may occur. The urine produced is cloudy. You may see mucous or bloody inclusions in it and it gives off 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 any bloody impurities in the urine, but mucous inclusions may still be present there. 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:
Rising.In this case, the infection enters from the external environment into the bladder.
Descending.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 through the bloodstream. It then enters the bladder.
It is worth mentioning the non-infectious causes of the pathology:
an allergic reaction leading to an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the bladder;
deterioration of nervous or immune system functions;
chemical burn – due to an error by medical staff, the patient may receive the wrong medication prescribed by the doctor;
attend radiotherapy sessions involving exposure to the pubic area.
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 a comprehensive treatment.
In order to establish an accurate diagnosis, a man is recommended to undergo the following diagnostic procedures:
Urogenital smear.This procedure aims to diagnose hidden infections transmitted during sexual intercourse.
Bacterial culture.This analysis is necessary to establish the type of pathogen and determine its sensitivity to certain drugs.
Do a general urine test.In the presence of inflammation, an increased content of red blood cells and white blood cells will be detected. An acidic reaction of urine indicates the presence of tuberculosis infection in the body.
Perform a cystoscopy.An informative diagnostic procedure can be carried out only in the absence of an acute phase of the disease. During 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 pain, 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 should adhere to the recommendations listed below:
Maintain bed rest.At high temperatures, antipyretic drugs are indicated. You also need to remember about the correct drinking regime. In addition, patients should temporarily exclude sour and smoked foods from their diet and follow a strict diet. When preparing food, you should use a minimum of spices and seasonings.
Use of medicinal plants.Doctors often prescribe herbal teas that have antibacterial and diuretic effects. These products contain natural ingredients (horsetail, bearberry). In order 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, it is impossible to achieve a quick effect. These products require long-term use. Medicinal plants are not considered essential. They are used only as part of complex treatment of cystitis.
Carrying out PCR diagnostics.It is necessary to detect sexually transmitted viruses. The treatment regimen is chosen by the doctor (taking into account the type of pathogen).
Medicines with analgesic properties.To eliminate pain, it is recommended to prescribe antispasmodics. In certain situations, the prescription of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated.
Take medications with a pronounced antibacterial effect.These 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 medications are used only after consulting a doctor. However, the duration of their use should not exceed 1 week.
Help in case of acute cystitis attack
To alleviate the patient's condition during the acute phase of cystitis, it is recommended to drink large amounts of fluid. It activates the elimination of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, 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 smooth muscles located in the bladder area. Painkillers are used to relieve pain.
Taking antibiotics without a prescription from a urologist is strictly prohibited. This 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 seek treatment without consulting a doctor, you will only be able to temporarily eliminate the main symptoms of the pathology. Additionally, there is a high risk that cystitis will become chronic.
Existing risk factors
The risk of cystitis in men increases:
with irregular emptying of the bladder;
vitamin deficiency;
maintain a sedentary lifestyle;
unprotected sex;
frequent change of sexual partners;
prolonged overwork;
the presence of a foreign body in the bladder area;
wearing 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 proper treatment, 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 lead to 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 the kidney tissue with 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 a background of illness that has become chronic.Recurrences of cystitis can occur several times a month. At this moment, the man turns into a "toilet hostage", his psychological state deteriorates considerably.
Note!In the absence of appropriate treatment, the risk of the disease becoming chronic is quite high. In this case, damage to both the bladder and other organs of the genitourinary system is observed.
How to avoid developing the disease?
To minimize the risk of developing the disease, you should 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 and 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 with soap before and after sex.
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 ARVI. If the functions of the immune system are impaired, you should consult an immunologist.
Do not try to hold urination. In case of prolonged urinary retention, rapid development of an infection in the bladder is possible.
Change your underwear daily.
Drink enough fluids.
Avoid wearing underwear made from synthetic fabrics.
After bowel movements, wash from front to back. Otherwise, bacteria will be transferred from the intestines to the male's external genitalia. From there, pathogenic microorganisms easily enter the urethra, and then into the bladder.
Follow 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, currant juices and plain water are ideal for this purpose. It is recommended to forget about drinking alcohol-containing drinks and soda for a while.
Sometimes osteopathic techniques are used in the treatment of cystitis. This speeds up the patient's recovery process.
If indicated, the use of acupuncture methods is indicated. They involve influencing particular biological points. This technique has a minimal number of contraindications and side effects.