One of the more troublesome infectious afflictions that virtually all of us may encounter is cystitis, referred to by doctors as a urinary tract infection. This disease is most often the result of bacteria in the urinary tract, and what’s more, due to the anatomical structure of the kidneys and ureters, women are much more likely to suffer from it.
How does a urinary tract infection occur?
Healthy and properly functioning urinary tract is colonized by various types of microorganisms only temporarily, as in most cases our body is able to fight them off on its own. This is possible primarily due to natural immune mechanisms such as, for example, the Tamm-Horsfall protein, which prevents bacteria from fusing with cells located in the epithelium of the urinary tract. The most common cause of cystitis is bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae group, particularly Escherichia coli. The microorganisms usually enter the urinary tract through the urethra, where they then attach themselves to the bladder walls and begin to multiply, thus causing inflammation. In addition, inflammation can develop as a result of viruses, fungi or atypical pathogens entering the urinary tract. Particularly dangerous are prolonged, prolonged infections in the urinary tract, which can carry the risk of developing conditions that pose a direct threat not only to the health, but also to the life of the patient, causing, among other things, pyelonephritis or urinary septicemia, in the most severe cases even leading to death.
The most common pathogens that cause cystitis:
- Enterobacteriaceae group gram negative intestinal bacteria (Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis),
- gram-positive bacteria of the Enterococcus genus (Enterococcus faecalis),
- Chlamydia trachomatis,
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus,
- The microorganism Ureaplasma urealyticum,
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae gonorrhoeae,
- Adenoviruses and cytomegaloviruses.
What are the different types of cystitis?
The mildest and also the most common clinical form of urinary tract infection is asymptomatic cystitis, which is characterized by having no… virtually no symptoms. However, this is not the only type of this disease, because in fact, infections that occur in the urinary tract are divided into infections: lower and upper urinary tract, which primarily include inflammation of the urethra, prostate gland, and bladder, complicated, which are diagnosed in patients with functional, metabolic disorders or anatomical defects in the urinary tract, uncomplicated, which are those that are caused by typical microorganisms, progressing without impairment of renal function, hospital-acquired and out-of-hospital recurrent, which are considered inflammatory conditions within the urinary tract that have occurred at least three times a year.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of a urinary tract infection is most often made on the basis of a medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests ordered by a specialist. The main material to assess whether there is cystitis is a urine sample, which should be collected from the middle stream during urination during the first morning visit to the toilet. The bacteriological examination is one of the key elements in the diagnosis of a urinary tract infection, and serves primarily on the precise evaluation of the presence of leukocytes, protein, erythrocytes and bacteria. In cases of frequent cystitis or suspicion of a complicated form, the doctor may order a urine culture. In cases of recurrent disease, blood tests are also useful to determine, for example, whether the kidneys are functioning properly, whether there is inflammation in the urinary tract, etc.
What agents are used to treat cystitis?
How a urinary tract infection is treated depends largely on the severity of the disease’s symptoms and the patient’s overall condition. In a situation where the examination indicates the presence of bacteria in the urethra or bladder, then you can reach for antibacterial drugs, which are available on the market without a prescription. Among them are preparations whose active ingredient is furasidine, or furagin. The action of this organic chemical compound is to damage the DNA of pathogenic microorganisms, but most importantly, furasidine affects many different strains of bacteria. Among other things, the nitrofuran derivative is found in over-the-counter cystitis drugs. Pharmaceuticals containing furagine most often come in the form of tablets for oral administration and can be taken by adults, as well as children and adolescents over the age of fifteen. When looking for answers to the question of what else to take for cystitis, it is worth looking at preparations for Urosept – an over-the-counter drug in tablet form with a mild diuretic effect, which can be used supportively not only to treat urinary tract infections, but also to combat the symptoms accompanying urinary tract stones. Its composition was created using carefully selected plant extracts obtained from birch leaves, chamomile herb, parsley root, lingonberry leaves and bean drupes. For those with severe discomfort, commercially available analgesics, anti-inflammatory and diastolic preparations can also be used. In addition, cystitis medications containing:
- trimethoprim, an organic chemical compound that exhibits strong bactericidal properties and inhibits bacterial proliferation,
- fosfomycin, an antibiotic classified as a phosphonic acid derivative,
- cotrimoxazole, which is a mixture of two active substances with bacteriostatic activity – sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim,
- ciprofloxacin, an organic chemical with bactericidal properties.
What herbs will work well in treating cystitis?
When considering what else can be used to treat cystitis, it is worth bearing in mind not only the pharmacological remedies that modern medicine offers us. While most of them work very well against urinary tract infections, traditionally herbs, especially those with anti-inflammatory, diuretic and decongestant properties, can also be used in this kind of ailment. For this purpose, you can reach for herbal infusions, such as Chamomile fix® Only Nature, which has a soothing and relieving effect, or Horsetail fix® Only Nature, which shows diuretic properties and accelerates the cleansing of infected urinary tract. In addition to the aforementioned infusion of chamomile or field horsetail, herbs such as:
- Cranberry, which was very often used by our ancestors for urinary tract problems; in addition to having a strong antiseptic effect, it additionally has antibacterial properties,
- goldenrod, which is valued mainly for its diuretic effect; an infusion made from goldenrod is able to contribute to increased urination by up to several hundred percent,
- Common juniper, which is a rich source of essential oils and flavonoids, characterized by antibacterial and diuretic properties,
- Black currant, which provides the body with an adequate dose of vitamin C, stimulating the activation of natural defense mechanisms necessary to fight pathogenic pathogens,
- bearberry, which contains a composition of unique ingredients that effectively help fight inflammation in the urinary tract,
- Parsley, the infusions of which show strong diuretic and diastolic effects, further eliminating the problem of kidney stones,
- Pumpkin seeds, supporting the proper functioning of the kidneys and bladder, and acting as a diuretic.
Summary
In a situation where frequent, recurring cystitis is our bane, it is worth reaching for proven medications. Herbal teas, as well as preparations developed on the basis of natural plant extracts, can be an alternative to classic pharmaceuticals. If the ways used by our ancestors fail or the bothersome ailments get worse, then you should not delay a visit to the doctor. After all, neglecting to treat this disease can lead to a number of dangerous complications, including, among others, kidney failure and chronic inflammation in the reproductive organs.
