Chronic cystitis — do not put off treatment!

Problems affecting the urinary system should not be ignored, as inadequate treatment can have serious health consequences. It is important to respond promptly to symptoms and consult a doctor to receive appropriate medical care. Addressing urinary system problems can prevent complications and improve quality of life.

Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder. Primary cystitis develops in a previously healthy organ, while secondary cystitis occurs as a result of a disease or abnormality of the genitourinary system.

The condition is diagnosed more often in women because of the anatomical characteristics of the urethra: it is short and wide, providing an ideal route for infection.

In men, chronic cystitis more commonly develops as a secondary condition associated with prostatitis, urinary tract obstruction, or prostatic hyperplasia.

Depending on its cause, cystitis is classified as infectious, chemical, thermal, toxic, radiation-induced, drug-induced, diet-related, neurogenic, involutional, or postoperative.

Recognize It Early

Chronic cystitis may be either latent (hidden) or recurrent.

The main symptoms include:

• frequent, painful urination;
• false urges to urinate;
• changes in the smell or color of urine;
• pus or blood in the urine.

If symptoms occur, you should not self-medicate or wait for them to resolve on their own, as chronic cystitis can have very serious consequences.

Advanced disease may lead to:

• pyelonephritis — inflammation of the kidneys;
• neurogenic bladder — impaired bladder function due to frequent infections;
• leukoplakia — changes in bladder tissue that are on the borderline between benign and malignant transformation;
• cancerous changes.

Diagnosis of chronic cystitis should include laboratory and bacteriological urine tests, as well as ultrasound examinations of the kidneys and bladder.

Cystoscopy also plays an important role in diagnosing chronic cystitis. It can be used to determine the extent of changes in the bladder mucosa and identify the cause of persistent cystitis.

The differential diagnosis of chronic cystitis should be aimed at ruling out an association between cystitis and other bladder conditions (stones, tumors, tuberculosis, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, etc.).

We strongly advise against self-treatment, as it may harm your health.

Contact the specialists at Lviv Medical Center for consultation and treatment. To prevent the development of medical conditions, doctors recommend undergoing regular preventive examinations (check-ups).