The inflammatory process affecting the bladder can be acute, subacute or chronic.
Infection, in fact, can resolve itself after a single episode, or, especially when it is neglected, recur and become chronic.
In this second case, the infectious process can dangerously extend to the genital or upper urinary tract (see pyelonephritis).
Cystitis sometimes occurs without obvious symptoms or causes; at other times, it is secondary to birth control practices or sexual intercourse.
The inflammation is caused by bacteria that populate the last section of the intestine, including the colibacillus (E. Coli), or other pathogens. These germs can reach the bladder from the outside, passing through the urethra, or from the inside by propagation from nearby organs, or again through the blood.
As shown in the figure, the female urethra is shorter than the male one. This characteristic, associated with the absence of the bactericidal effect of prostastic secretions and other unfavorable anatomical features, such as the opening site more easily accessible by fecal microorganisms, increases female susceptibility to cystitis.
During the urination act, germs may rise again because, while in the initial phase the opening of the bladder neck follows that of the urethra in a proximal-distal sense, at the end of urination the urethra closes in the opposite direction, facilitating the entry of germs into the bladder through urethro-bladder reflux.
Once in the bladder, germs can multiply exponentially and produce inflammation of the mucosa known as cystitis.
Epidemiology: how common is cystitis?
It is estimated that between 10 and 20% of women will suffer, at least once in their lifetime, from a urinary tract infection; according to other statistics, at least one in two women will suffer from cystitis. of the disorder increases considerably with advancing age: it is estimated that about 20-50% of women over 60 suffer from this disorder. The cause is to be found in some problems related to menopause, such as estrogen deficiency and dislocations of the pelvic organs.
In men, without anatomical anomalies in the urinary tract, cystitis is often associated with bacterial prostatitis. Also for men the incidence of cystitis, especially those due to obstructive phenomena, increases in old age.
For further information: Male Cystitis: Causes and Therapy : temporary or permanent increase in the number of urinations during the 24 hours, accompanied by the reduction of the volume emptied for each urination act;Acute, uncomplicated cystitis usually does not cause fever; however, when the temperature rises significantly it could mean that the infection has spread to the upper urinary tract.
The symptomatology of chronic cystitis is similar to that of acute cystitis, but milder.
For further information: Symptoms Cystitis), descending (descending from the kidney) or blood. Cystitis, therefore, can manifest itself due to the presence of numerous predisposing conditions:
- Immune system weakness following antibiotic therapy, irregular nutrition or excessive stress
- Physical or mental fatigue;
- Poor or excessive intimate hygiene is a common risk factor for cystitis;
- Use of tampons;
- Use of the diaphragm and spermicidal creams that decrease vaginal acidity favoring bacterial contamination;
- Overly tight pants or underwear
- Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea (or blenorrhea);
- Chemical agents;
- Malformations of the urinary tract can predispose to cystitis;
- Sexual intercourse;
- Use of the catheter;
- Urethral strictures or narrowing
- Presence of foreign or pathological bodies in the bladder (stones or tumors);
- Diverticula;
- Prostatic hypertrophy;
- Diabetes: the presence of glucose in the urine (glycosuria) promotes bacterial growth.
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