2023-07-05 07:02:15
Cystitis: one in 10 women suffers from it every year
In France, every 30 seconds, a woman declares a urinary tract infection. 20% of them will have a new infectious episode within six months. Pointed out: antibiotic treatments that disrupt the microbial flora leading to chronic infections.
One in ten women suffers from a urinary tract infection each year. Cystitis: this is the name given to this inflammation of the bladder, mainly affecting women, which results in burning sensations during urination associated with frequent urges to urinate. The origin, in 80% of cases: Escherichia coli, a bacterium naturally present in the intestines that colonizes the urinary tract. Previously, the reflex was simple: taking antibiotics to eradicate coli bacteria (cystitis being the second cause of antibiotic prescription in women). But things are changing. An American study* has shown that bactericides cause a recurrence rate of 40%. Because if they destroy the pathogenic germs located in the bladder, the antibiotics spare those of the intestines which survive and spread again. While at the same time deteriorating the good bacteria populating the microbiota. The snake that bites its tail.
The role of the microbiota
Scientific discoveries have thus made it possible to highlight the role of biofilm, a sort of “layer” on the internal wall of the bladder made up of bacteria that are extremely resistant to antibiotics. This biofilm would be the cause of recurrent cystitis (three episodes per year) very difficult to treat. About ten years ago, we knew nothing about the subtleties of the microbial flora. Today, researchers have identified the main germ present in the biofilm: Gardnerella vaginalis. Caused by an imbalance in the vaginal flora, this bacterium enters the bladder following sexual intercourse, reactivating the Escherichia coli dormant from a previous infection. These begin to multiply again, causing another cystitis that can progress to pyelonephritis, an upper urinary tract infection that can be very serious. These results help to explain why sexual activity is associated with urinary tract infections. The solution to protect against it goes first and foremost through good personal hygiene.
*Source: study by the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, published in May 2022 in the journal Nature Microbiology.
Five tips to avoid cystitisDrink 1.5 liters of water per day minimum. Regular hydration helps prevent the proliferation of germs and their adherence to the bladder wall. By diluting the urine, water also has the effect of reducing burning sensations.Opt for cotton underwear. Real nests for bacteria, synthetic materials prevent the mucous membranes from breathing.Urinate after each intercourse. A complete emptying of the bladder will allow the bacteria to be expelled from the urethra.Fight against constipation by adopting a high fiber diet. The stagnation of stools promotes the proliferation of germs. Make a intimate toilet once a day with clear water or with a mild soap that does not attack the bacterial flora.
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