Cystite: definition, types, symptoms, what to do?

03/07/2022 By acomputer 709 Views

Cystite: definition, types, symptoms, what to do?

"Cystitis: definition, types, symptoms, what to do?"

In France, cystitis is the second reason for consultation and prescription of antibiotics, especially for women (50 times more affected than men). Acute, recurrent, interstitial, occurring during pregnancy or after sexual intercourse, they respond to several causes and treatments.

Definition

Cystitis is a urinary tract infection that is located in the bladder. Episodes of cystitis are relatively mild except when they occur more than 2 to 3 times a year, affect a pregnant woman or are accompanied by fever and intense pain that may indicate complications.

Types of cystitis

Acute cystitis

In everyday language, the term acute cystitis designates a urinary tract infection limited to the lower part of the urinary tract, not ascending not to the kidney, in which case it is called pyelonephritis. Women are mostly affected, because the risk of urinary tract infections is greater, given the size of the shorter female urethra, which promotes the rise of germs to the bladder. In the majority of cases, the germ in question is Escherichia Coli.

Complicated cystitis

In the event of so-called complicated cystitis, i.e. occurring in men, women over 65, pregnant women, immunocompromised or diabetic patients, a ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder is frequently performed or even remote cystography. In this case, it is a question of looking for an attack on the prostate or the kidneys, an anomaly of the urinary tract or a bacterium resistant to antibiotics.

Interstitial cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a rare form of cystitis, particularly affecting women. The symptoms are very acute and frequent pain in the bladder and urethra, accompanied by very frequent urgent needs to urinate, which is a source of socio-psychological difficulties. The causes of interstitial cystitis are currently still unknown, so we are content to treat the symptoms as well as possible without being able to fight the disease itself for the moment.

Recurrent cystitis

Recurrent cystitis are infections that occur more than 3 times a year. The symptoms are the same as cystitis but it is their abnormal frequency that has a significant impact on quality of life. The research and treatment of certain risk factors such as the frequency of sexual intercourse, or a problem of urinary incontinence can generally relieve the symptoms.

The implementation of antibiotic prophylaxis is carried out on a case-by-case basis and must be subject to regular reassessment. Antibiotic treatment with trimetoprine-sulfamethoxazol (1 tablet per day) or fosfomycin-trometamol (1 tablet per week) may be prescribed for several months in certain situations. Some cranberry preparations, in juice or in the form of food supplements sold in pharmacies, can improve recurrent cystitis.