Cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder) – tips?
Julia M asked:
I have cystitis and will be picking up my antibiotics in a few minutes. It is important that this stops as soon as possible, because I am in the middle of a load of exams and in a week and a half will be travelling through Arizona (I’m from The Netherlands) for two months.
I have cystitis and will be picking up my antibiotics in a few minutes. It is important that this stops as soon as possible, because I am in the middle of a load of exams and in a week and a half will be travelling through Arizona (I’m from The Netherlands) for two months.
Besides the antibiotics, what can I do? Drink lots of water and cranberry juice? Anything else?
Does anyone know any good treatments for intermetial cystitis?
Prevention
You can take steps to reduce the risk of bladder infections. Women, in particular, may benefit from the following:
* Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Cranberry juice may have infection-fighting properties. However, don’t drink cranberry juice if you’re taking the blood-thinning medication warfarin (Coumadin). Possible interactions between cranberry juice and warfarin can lead to bleeding. Drinking lots of fluids is especially important if you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, particularly on treatment days.
* Urinate frequently. If you feel the urge to void, don’t delay going to the bathroom.
* Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement. This prevents bacteria in the **** region from spreading to the ****** and urethra.
* Take showers rather than tub baths. If you’re susceptible to infections, doing so can help prevent infections.
* Gently wash the skin around the ****** and ****. Do this daily, but don’t use harsh soaps or wash too vigorously. The delicate skin around these areas can become irritated.
* Empty your bladder as soon as possible after ***********. Drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
* Avoid using deodorant sprays or feminine products in the ******* area. These products can irritate the urethra and bladder.
Self-care
Cystitis can be painful, but you can take steps to ease your discomfort:
* Use a heating pad. Sometimes a heating pad placed over your lower abdomen can help minimize feelings of bladder pressure or pain.
* Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid coffee, alcohol, soft drinks with caffeine, citrus juices and spicy foods until your infection has cleared. These items can irritate your bladder and aggravate your frequent or urgent need to urinate.
* Take a sitz bath. It may be helpful to soak in a bathtub of warm water (sitz bath) for 15 to 20 minutes.
If you have recurrent bladder infections, let your doctor know. Together, you can develop a strategy to reduce recurrences and the discomfort that cystitis can bring.