Cystitis
Cystitis is inflammation of the urinary bladder. The condition more often affects women, but can affect either gender and all age groups.
Cystitis symptoms:
- Discomfort, through burning / stinging sensations, or pain whilst passing urine
- Needing to urinate frequently or urgently and often with only small amounts or no urine
- Strong or fishy smelling urine
- Dark, cloudy or blood traced urine
- Lower back or abdominal pains
- General unwell feeling
What causes cystitis?
Cystitis occurs in very many cases through bacterial infection of the urethra and/or bladder. This bacterial infection causes irritation and inflammation.
There are many ways in which this bacteria can enter the urinary system, including the following:
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder, allowing existing bacteria to multiply over normal levels During pregnancy, this can be a regular problem due to the pressure on the pelvis
- Bacteria being introduced from outside the body, for example during tampon insertion or sex
- Bacteria being transferred from the back passage whilst cleaning after going to the loo
- Blockage in the urinary tract (e.g. kidney stones)
- Thinning of the bladder/urethra lining, often occurring during menopause
- Physical damage, for example during frequent or vigorous intercourse
How to prevent cystitis
Eating a healthy, balanced diet, stopping smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation can all help to make bladder infections less likely.
- Drink plenty of fluids - low/no sugar - like water, herbal teas and fruit juice, at least 2 litres daily
- Drink 1 glass of cranberry juice per day
- Clean yourself from front to back after going to the loo
- Wear loose, breathable clothing e.g. cotton underwear
- Avoid perfumed baths and personal deodorants
- Always wash before and after sex, and pass water as soon after intercourse as possible
- Urinate regularly, waiting until you burst can also give bacteria an over average chance to multiply
Treatment / Self help for cystitis
As much as we try to be good, sooner or later the symptoms of cystitis can easily start again. Maybe you went to a party in tight jeans and had a good time drinking, maybe you had a wild night with your loved one, it's so easy to relax for a moment!
As soon as you feel the first twinges of an outbreak of cystitis you should drink plenty of fluids, and maybe try some of the following:
Do:
Do: Drink plenty of sugar free fluids, water, diluted fruit juice, herbal tea
Do: Empty the bladder often and properly
Do: Reduce sugar intake - bacteria love sugar
Do: Try to drink enough to keep your urine diluted enough that it's straw coloured
Do: Keep your bowels regularly moving - at least once a day
Do: Wash after bowel movement
Do: Avoid strongly perfumed soaps, deodorises, talcum powder
Do: Try to keep stress levels down. Too high stress can weaken the immune system
Don't:
Don't: Wait too long before going to your doctor
Don't: Eat foods that are too hot or spicy
Don't: Drink too much tea, coffee or fizzy/sugary drinks
Don't: Wear tight clothing
Don't: Wear underwear made from unbreathable fabric
Don't: Wait till you're bursting before going to the loo
Don't: Forget about a good hygiene routine after bowel movement and sex
What can you do to help yourself?
Bicarbonate of soda: an old but effective remedy. ..
The bicarbonate of soda reduces the acidity of the urine, making it more difficult for the acid loving bacteria to survive. Taking 1 teaspoon in a glass of water 3 times a day can be very helpful.
Cranberry juice is said to prevents the bacteria sticking to the bladder lining (some say that it also inhibits the growth of the bacteria). Drink one glass per day.
Keep your immune system healthy by eating a correctly balanced diet, taking light exercise (e.g. a daily walk), reducing sugar intake.
Bathe in warm (not hot) water without strongly perfumed bath salts / bubble bath. Natural bath time recipes can be found by us at pinkies :)
The right food can help...
Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of whole grains, fruit and vegetables. This is not only good advice for healthy people but especially for those who are troubled with illnesses and infections.
Fruit and vegetables have the vitamins and minerals necessary for helping to build a strong immune system.
Whole grains, for roughage, together with the correct intake of fluids, help to keep the bowels moving regularly and properly. Watch out if you're not used to much whole grain produce, it can make you windy, this is better avoided for cystitis sufferers, if this sounds like you, then take it slowly, increase your whole grain intake little by little. If you do become windy try to settle the wind with herbal teas such as fennel or mint.
Freshly made juices made from celery and thyme acts as a mild diuretic and can help to clean out the bladder.
Cut down on hot and spicy foods, tea, coffee and fizzy/sugary drinks
Fight bacterial infection with natural such as garlic, turmeric, and thyme.
Doctor Doctor! - when you should seek professional help
Leaving cystitis untreated can lead to serious kidney infection which may be difficult to cure. Consult your doctor if:
- Your symptoms last for longer than 2 - 3 days
- You have repeated, frequent attacks
- You are pregnant
- You have blood in your urine
- If you think your cystitis is sexually transmitted