Bladder infection and pyelonephritis are the most common urinary tract infections in women. You can prevent them from cystitis by drinking plenty of water and taking care of your personal hygiene, for example.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) come second in terms of incidence, after flu and flu-like infections. This disease is associated with the presence of microorganisms in the urinary tract, which should normally remain sterile. Bacteria may be present in the terminal section of the urethra, but they do not cause infection. The environment unfavorable for the development of bacteria is maintained in the urinary tract by proanthocyanins - plant compounds found in cranberries. The most common forms of the disease are:bladder infectionurinary (approx. 90% of cases) andpyelonephritis(approx. 10% of cases).
Susceptibility to cystitis
The urinary bladder is a well-muscled and flexible reservoir with a volume of 400-700 ml. It is located in the small pelvis, behind the symphysis pubis. Filling the bladder with urine causes an increase in pressure inside it, irritation of the sensory nerve endings, which in turn causes pressure. The detrusor muscle contracts and the sphincters relax, and urine flows out through the urethra. The correct volume of urine per day is about 1-3 liters.Cystitisaffects mostly women, mainly young people. Women who frequently have sex are more prone to symptoms. The susceptibility of women to this disease is due to their anatomical structure. Their urethra is much shorter than that of men (approx. 5 cm versus approx. 20 cm), therefore bacteria have a shorter distance to travel. The rectum is located near the mouth of the urethra, which favors the transmission of bacteria due to poor hygiene.
Causes of cystitis
Most infections appear in winter as a result of colds and frostbite. Sitting on cold benches, low walls or handrails is inadvisable. In addition, the bladder is not served by intimate hygiene fluids of insufficient quality. Similarly, tampons or sanitary napkins - sometimes they cause various allergic reactions, and hence a simple path to infectionbladder. Mechanical contraceptives (spirals, disks) can also cause infections. Increased vigilance should be exercised by pregnant women or those undergoing menopause due to hormonal changes in the body.
The risk of bladder infection increases with age and is often associated with anatomical abnormalities of the genitourinary system. Men up to 50-60 years of age rarely suffer from UTI. The disease begins to appear during the period of urination disorders, which are most often associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and urine stagnation in the bladder.
Mechanism of cystitis
Bacteria most often enter the urinary system from the urethra (over 90% of cases), much less often from other organs, with blood or lymph. Nearly 90% of bladder infections are caused by the Escherichia coli bacterium that lives in the large intestine. It is dangerous when it enters the urinary system. In addition to bacteria, other pathogens that infect the urinary tract include chlamydia, micolasmas, gonorrhea, and viruses that are mainly sexually transmitted.
Symptoms of cystitis
- abdominal pain in the suprapubic area, also during urination
- increased urge to urinate
- burning while urinating
- temperature increase
- urinary incontinence (in some cases)
There are times when an infection can develop as asymptomatic bacteriuria, characterized by no symptoms. There are bacteria in the urinary tract, the existence of which is found in the general and bacteriological examination of the urine. Asymptomatic bacteriuria requires treatment in pregnant women, children and people with urine flow problems.
Cystitis prophylaxis
There are many ways to prevent urinary tract infections, but the most important of them is to keep your urinary tract he althy every day, no matter what the circumstances. It is helpful in the proper care of the he alth of the urinary system to drink plenty of fluids to constantly flush bacteria out of the urinary tract, and to shower more often instead of bathing. In addition, avoiding products that may irritate the urethra (e.g. feminine perfumes or nylon underwear). However, what is very important, and what is more confirmed by research, is the enrichment of the daily diet with cranberry, which is famous for its beneficial properties for the he alth of the urinary system.