Fundamental Approach to the Treatment of Women with Acute and Chronic Cystitis

Cystitis occurs at least once in a lifetime in one of two women; the highest susceptibility to this disease is noted at the childbearing age — 20–45 years old. Moreover, from 44 % to 82 % of women within a year after the first case of acute uncomplicated cystitis have a relapse, and in 10 % of women the disease takes a chronic course [4]. With age, the likelihood of developing urinary tract infections increases: bacteriuria is diagnosed in 6–10 % of young women and in 25–50 % of people aged 80 years and older. The causative agent of the disease is most often Escherichia coli, less often, Klebsiella, Proteus and Enterococci are detected as a pathogenic agent. Due to the fact that the urethra in women is wider and shorter than in men, women suffer from this ailment much more often, since the infection can get to the bladder quite easily. The issues of diagnosis and treatment of cystitis are in the competence of gynecologists and urologists, but often the initial diagnosis is given already at the appointment of a general practitioner.