Cystitis: let's get to know it
Figures in hand, it seems that 25% of women between 20 and 40 years have suffered from cystitis at least once.
It is caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, constipation, but also some contraceptive methods, incorrect hygiene and even particular body conditions, such as pregnancy and menopause. Symptoms of cystitis are well recognizable and treatment must be adequate to avoid major problems.
What is cystitis?
Under normal conditions, the urinary tract is sterile and very resistant to bacterial colonization. However, when certain predisposing conditions arise, bacteria (mainly Escherichia coli) are able to reach the bladder through the urethra, multiply and cause urinary tract infection. Among these the most common is represented by cystitis, which causes frequent and painful urination, a sense of abdominal heaviness and, sometimes, blood in the urine and the onset of fever.
See also
Cystitis is female
While not exclusively affecting women (about 10% of patients are men), the problem is much more frequent in women, so much so that about half of them suffer from it at least once a year. The percentages increase with age, for example due to hormonal imbalances during pregnancy and menopause, but also due to sexual activity; however, cystitis can also occur in young girls and girls. This clear female prevalence is determined by the anatomical conformation of the woman, from whose urethra - only 3-4 cm long - bacteria can easily ascend.
Recurrent cystitis
In order to be defined as recurrent, cystitis must recur with at least 3 episodes after about 3 weeks; relapses can occur as infections caused by a new bacterial strain, or as a persistence of the previous one.
In any case, it has been calculated that on average 30% of women who have suffered from an episode of cystitis will face the problem again in the following 6 months.
How does the infection trigger?
The bladder is lined internally by a protective mucosa called urothelium, waterproof and elastic, made up of three layers that normally act as a protective barrier from the aggression of bacteria and other harmful substances (such as those present in urine). In particular, it is the surface layer of the urothelium that performs the greatest protective action, thanks to a coating "coating" consisting mainly of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), including hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate.
When alterations occur in this protective coating, bacteria are able to penetrate, adhering to the bladder walls and triggering infection and related symptoms.
In women, the predisposing factors of infection are essentially attributable to an alteration of the vaginal bacterial flora and a weakening of the natural defenses of the urinary tract. But what determines these conditions? There are many physiological or behavioral factors: they mainly involve diet and lifestyles, but stress, age or any malformations, in addition to genetic predisposition, also play a role.
Among the possible predisposing factors we remember:
-Constipation
- Incorrect diet (e.g. salty, spicy, fried, fatty, alcohol, caffeine)
- Inadequate intimate hygiene (e.g. use of aggressive intimate detergents)
- Intense sexual activity
-Use of some contraceptives (e.g. diaphragm)
-Use of tampons
See Also: Constipation: Foods to Avoid When You Have an Irregular Bowel
How to cure cystitis?
Of course, the best way is always that of prevention, with a correct lifestyle and a "healthy diet: for example, drinking plenty of water during the day (even 2 liters) helps keep the body hydrated and dilutes the bacterial load of the urine.
From a therapeutic point of view, antibiotics are very frequently prescribed against the symptoms of cystitis, but repeated and prolonged use of these drugs can cause problems with bacterial resistance, and in the long run worsen the ailments. From the search for alternatives, new treatments have therefore been developed which, as evidenced by several studies, are able to act on the causes of the problem and not only on the symptoms. We are talking about the innovative intravesical treatments based on hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate, aimed at physiologically restoring the protective layer of the urothelium (they are among the main substances that constitute it). Among other things, research suggests that the use of these treatments could also lead to averting relapses and chronicization, thus opening up new scenarios in the preventive field.
Natural remedies
A precious help against cystitis also comes from nature. Our grandmothers would advise us, for example, to make us a nice decoction of mallow, which not only promotes diuresis, but also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Another plant that cleans the urinary tract is the grass, only it must be prepared and dosed correctly, since it has a not very pleasant taste. Equisetum, better known as horse grass, is also very effective, absorbing large quantities of minerals from the earth and is an excellent diuretic. And let's not forget the blueberry extract, which reduces the adhesion of bacteria to the urinary tract.
Even essential oils can be of help. In particular we recommend the use of those of eucalyptus and sweet fennel, to be massaged naturally on the pelvic area. Another precious massage could be that done by mixing 5 drops of essential myrtle oil and a tablespoon of sweet almond oil: pass it at least once a day, with slight cervical movements, on the pelvic and kidney area, it seems to be a real cure-all.
Sexuality and nutrition are two fundamental and connected realities, which influence each other in every phase of female life.
If you are interested in learning more about this aspect, you can participate in the Food Sexology course, held by experts in the sector, who aim to investigate the field from a sexological, medical, psychological and biological point of view.
For the necessary information and to register, visit the website www.sessuologialimentare.it/corsi and fill out the participation form.
The participation fee is 500 euros + VAT.
With the attribution of ECM credits, the cost is 600 euros + VAT.
One-time payment provides a 25% discount which will take place by 20 September: € 375 + VAT without ECM, € 450 + VAT with ECM.
In collaboration with Il Portale della Salute
