Cystitis - prevention and cure (Cystitis)

Name: collingwood21

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Product:	Cystitis
Date:	09/01/02 (4777 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: As hard as I try, I can think of none!

Disadvantages: Pain, discomfort, paying out for remedies

I find it quite strange that I had to request dooyoo to add this sub-category to the site, given that this is a common condition and there are already many categories reviewing various treatments for the condition. General information on conditions are often a useful addition to dooyoo, so I thought I would add my experience of cystitis and the ways it can be prevented and treated. I have experienced this condition three times, with the first attack being about four years ago.


-What is cystitis?
Cystitis is caused by an infection or inflammation of the bladder - the most common symptoms of it are a burning or stinging sensation when passing water, and the need to pass water much more frequently than normal. It is usually no more than an uncomfortable nuisance, and attacks rarely cause any lasting damage. The condition is most common in women (around 80% will experience at least one attack during their lifetime) but can occasionally occur in men and children. As cystitis is so much more common in women (due to us having a shorter urethra than men), then that is what this op concentrates on - it is advisable for men and children to seek specialist advice from doctors or pharmacists should they have an attack.


-How is it caused?
There are two types of cystitis. Non-bacterial cystitis is triggered by not drinking sufficient water, using certain soaps (especially heavily perfumed ones) or by wearing overly tight trousers - stress is probably also a contributing factor. This leads to inflammation of the bladder, and usually only the two main symptoms mentioned above ? in my experience, this is the less painful of the two types of the condition.

Secondly, there is bacterial cystitis, which can lead to the bladder becoming infected - the bacteria may be introduced to the urinary tract through sex ("honeymoon cystitis") or ineffective hygiene. If an infection does occur then additional symptoms will be experience
d, normally one or more of the following:
- darker or cloudier urine
- blood in the urine
- running a temperature and feeling very tired
- stomach, groin or back pains
This is a more serious form of cystitis, as left untreated it will make the sufferer feel very unwell and could lead to a kidney infection. It is therefore very important to visit your doctor if any of the above symptoms are experienced during an attack, or if the cystitis becomes persistent or recurrent. I had my first attack of bacterial cystitis just before Christmas, and found it to be more painful and long lasting than the previous attacks I had had - fortunately I managed to see my doctor before the infection reached my kidneys and got more serious.


-How is it treated?
At the first signs of an attack, it is important to get treatment quickly to relieve the discomfort and pain. Most cases will clear up quickly with a treatment of sodium or potassium citrate mixture, which comprise of six sachets of powder that form a 48-hour course (check with your doctor if you have kidney disease or are pregnant). The powder (usually lemon or cranberry flavoured) should be dissolved in a glass of water (or fruit squash if you want to disguise the taste of it) and are taken as three sachets a day for two days - it is important to compete the course, even if you feel better. The citrate mixture works by making the urine less acid, and a course costs between £4 and £5 depending on the brand (available at all chemists and some supermarkets). The most effective I have found is Cystopurin, which also has the benefit of being more palatable than lemon flavoured varieties.

In addition, treatment can be aided by:
- drinking as much water as possible
- drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets (Seven Seas costs £5 for 50 once a day tablets), as this helps the body to correct the pH of the urinary tract
- drinking barley water to reduce the acidi
ty of the urine
- avoiding caffeine and alcohol (both diuretics)
- avoiding acidic fruit juices (such as orange or grapefruit)

If the cystitis has not cleared up completely by the time the course of citrate mixture has finished, then another course is not recommended - instead, continue drinking plenty of water and see your doctor straight away. Under normal circumstances though, relief will be felt within a few hours and the symptoms will have cleared completely within 48 hours.

Should medical treatment be required for cystitis, you will be expected to provide a sample of urine for the doctor to test for bacteria. If an infection is confirmed, then a course of antibiotics will be required to clear it up - the ones I had were taken four times daily for five days. Some antibiotics are not to be taken with sodium or potassium citrate, so it is important to check this before you start to take the tablets, and discontinue drinking the mixture if necessary. As with all antibiotics, make sure you read the instructions fully and complete the course. Anyone unlucky enough to have cystitis spread to become a kidney infection may be helped by taking a herbal supplement of Kava, although you should check with a pharmacist if you are also taking antibiotics or other medication.


-Prevention is better than cure
Anyone that has had cystitis knows how unpleasant, painful (and expensive!) it can be. If you have had an attack previously, then the possibility of further attacks can be reduced by:
- drinking plenty of fluids
- regularly eating cranberries, drinking their juice or taking supplements
- going to the bathroom as soon as you need to pass water to keep the bladder flushed
- avoid using perfumed soaps and deodorants in the vaginal area
- washing after sex

It is also a good idea to keep a course of citrate mixture in your first aid kit, so that you can get treatment quickly when you feel an attack
start. I should also add that it is worth trying different brands of treatment, as you may find that some suit you or taste better than others. There are reviews in other sections of dooyoo that may help you with your choice.


-Useful Sites
http://www.ichelp.org/welcome.html
International Cystitis Association

http://www.ichelp.org/welcome.html
Cystitis Network

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/cyst itis.htm
Net Doctor

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