Symptoms and treatment of bladder leukoplakia

Pathology, during which there is a replacement of transitional epithelial cells by squamous epithelial cells is called leukoplakia of the bladder. Areas are formed in the cavity, covered with keratinized epithelium, which is not able to protect the bladder from the influence of various substances in the urine. This provokes the occurrence of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Types of disease

The leukoplakia of the bladder is divided, based on the location in the organ:

• in the neck of the bladder (common type);
• on the urinary cavity.

Pathology has the following forms:

1. Squamous metaplasia. It is a mild form and is characterized by turbidity of the mucosa that surrounds the urinary cavity.
2. Warty. It is characterized by clear endings of keratinized areas, superimposed on tissues that were injured by a flat shape.
3. Erosive. Expressed by erosive areas.

Causes of leukoplakia of the bladder

The fair sex is more susceptible to the development of leukoplakia, since, unlike the male, it has a different structure of the genitourinary system. The urethral canal in women is narrower, due to this, infections are easier in the urinary cavity. The routes of infection can be both descending and ascending, but the most well-known provocateurs of the disease are infections that are sexually transmitted. In addition, the appearance of leukoplakia is provoked by such diseases:

• chronic diseases of neighboring organs;
• malfunctions in the functioning of the thyroid gland;
• diseases of the genital organs.

To avoid the appearance of leukoplakia, experts recommend that women control the period of use of the intrauterine device, since exceeding it adversely affects the entire female body. This is what sometimes provokes the appearance of leukoplakia of the bladder. In situations where a patient is diagnosed with caries, tonsillitis or sinusitis, it is important not to delay therapy so that infections from above do not have the opportunity to descend into the bladder.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms of leukoplakia of the bladder:

• dull pain in the pelvis;
• problematic urination.

This symptomatology in each patient may vary in severity and is often present when leukoplakia of the bladder neck is diagnosed. Pain during metaplasia is dull in nature. When urinating, the patient also experiences pain and burning in the genital area. In situations where inflammatory processes are exacerbated, symptoms characteristic of cystitis are added to leukoplakia:

• frequent urination;
• health disorder;
• incomplete excretion of urine from the urinary cavity;
• non-integral jet;
• pain when emptying the cavity.

The symptoms of bladder leukoplakia are similar to those of cystitis. Because of this, errors often occur in the diagnosis of the disease. Studies show that a large number of women who have been trying to cure chronic cystitis for a long time actually had urinary leukoplakia, which was discovered after extensive studies.

Complications and consequences of the disease

The main threat of leukoplakia is that during its course the bladder loses its elasticity, due to which it becomes less capacious and practically loses its intended purpose, since it can only hold urine for 30 minutes, and then leakage occurs. This provokes the onset of kidney failure, which can be fatal. In addition, leukoplakia is considered a precancerous disease, therefore, poor-quality therapy can lead to the appearance of malignant neoplasms that affect the bladder or neighboring organs.

Disease during pregnancy

Bladder leukoplakia, like other inflammatory diseases, adversely affects the body and greatly aggravates the pregnancy process. In the initial months, the disease can lead to pathologies in the development of the fetus and even miscarriage. Most often this happens when leukoplakia appeared due to chlamydia and trichomonas. In the last months, the disease can cause early birth, a delay in the development of the embryo, or intrauterine infection.

It is important to treat leukoplakia during pregnancy exclusively with antibiotics. The main course of treatment is carried out after the patient gives birth. In situations where bladder leukoplakia was diagnosed during pregnancy planning, it is first important to treat the disease and only then start conception.

Diagnosis of leukoplakia

First of all, when diagnosing a disease, it is important not to confuse it with cystitis. A set of diagnostic studies will help to do this. To begin with, the specialist asks the patient about the symptoms and nature of pain, after which he proceeds to the examination. After the physical examination, they resort to laboratory tests, for which the patient will need to take a blood and urine test. In the blood, specialists are most interested in the amount of sugar, urea, creatine and hormones. Also, a person needs to do a biochemical blood test, which shows the processes of metabolism and protein metabolism.

After the patient, an ultrasound is expected, with the help of which doctors determine the level of damage to the urinary cavity and its neck. Endoscopy (examination with an endoscope) of the urethra and bladder neck is also prescribed. Diagnosis of leukoplakia of the bladder involves the use of cystoscopy, which is a study of the structure of the urinary cavity from the inside, thanks to which specialists will find out the location of the pathology and the level of damage to the bladder neck.

Conservative therapy

Medication treatment

The treatment of bladder leukoplakia is complex, which makes it possible to influence all injured tissues. In the process of therapy, they resort to antimicrobial drugs, anti-inflammatory, strengthening and supporting the immune system. To strengthen the walls of the urinary cavity, which are adversely affected by urine, doctors use agents that are similar to natural glycosaminoglycans, which are responsible for restoring the affected layer.

Physiotherapy

In addition to drug treatment, doctors also prescribe such physiotherapy methods:

• electrophoresis;
• microwave exposure;
• laser therapy;
• magnetotherapy.

Treatment with folk remedies

In combination with drugs, treatment with folk remedies is often prescribed, mainly herbal decoctions that have a diuretic and antiseptic effect. They resort to the help of bearberry, which helps relieve the symptoms of leukoplakia. Also use tinctures and decoctions of horsetail, goldenrod, parsley root and dill. Cranberry juice is famous for its antimicrobial effect, so it should be included in the drinking diet.