How do u get rid of cystitis?
If you’re here, then ouch, that must hurt! Maybe you’re feeling embarrassed, grossed out or even scared. Well, fear not, my friend! We’re all in this together (except maybe for those lucky souls who’ve never had the displeasure of experiencing cystitis). Let’s tackle this painful problem head-on with some practical solutions and plenty of humor along the way.
What is Cystitis?
Cystitis refers to inflammation or infection of the bladder. It can affect anyone but is more common in women due to their shorter urethra. The symptoms include a burning sensation during urination (yowch), frequent urges to pee (annoying), cloudy urine (eww) and sometimes pelvic pain (ugh). If left untreated, it can lead to kidney infections (nobody wants that).
What Causes Cystitis?
The most common culprit behind cystitis is bacterial infection. The bacteria E.coli are usually responsible for starting an infection in your bladder when they get into your urinary tract – say from wiping back-to-front after going number 2 (seriously folks, front-to-back) There are other less common causes too like fungal infections, interstitial cystitis and radiation therapy among others.
So How Do You Get Rid Of This Pesky Bladder Infection?
Fear not dear reader – if caught early enough there are steps you can take at home that might help ease your symptoms:
Drink More Water
Do not underestimate water’s power! Drinking lots of fluids encourages frequent urination which helps flush out any pesky bacteria from your bladder.
Try a Hot Water Bottle
Placing a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen may help soothe any discomfort caused by cystitis.
Cranberry Juice
Drink up on unsweetened cranberry juice as it contains compounds known as “proanthocyanidins” that may help prevent bacteria from sticking to your bladder walls. Don’t skip the unsweetened part though, or you’ll end up doing more harm than good.
D-Mannose
D-mannose is a type of sugar which can also prevents bacteria from sticking to the bladder walls and has been proven effective in reducing symptoms and preventing reoccurrence for women suffering from recurrent UTIs.
Now if these DIY measures don’t cut it, fret not – there are medications that your doctor can prescribe too:
Antibiotics
If your cystitis is bacterial then antibiotics might be needed – but only take them if prescribed by a health professional as taking them unnecessarily increases antibiotic resistance (nobody wants that).
Pain Relief Medication
Paracetamol and ibuprofen may be used meanwhile to relieve pain while waiting for other treatments to kick in.
How To Prevent Cystitis?
Prevention is key! With these tips below, prevent future bouts of this awful affliction:
Natural Remedies & Lifestyle Changes
- Stay hydrated: drinking plenty of clear fluids will ensure urine production.
- Post-Bathroom Rituals: Always wipe upwards after using the toilet (ladies).
- Use cotton rather than synthetic undergarments
- Urinate after sex:(Both partners) This helps get rid off any microorganisms lingering.
Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking studies show reduces urinary tract infections prevalence by about 60%.
A Final Word
Cystitis isn’t pleasant no matter how you spin it. But implementing healthy habits every day would reduce risks of developing an infection in our bladder beforewe know it! So let’s drink lots of water, pee frequently, avoid overly tight clothing/trousers/tights/whatever damn thing Dracula wears underneath his cape (seriously) keep clean, stay mindful throughout the day not forgetting post-bathroom rituals plus practicing safe sex. Hang in there! – Just remember, cystitis may sting but don’t let it ruin your day.