So do you think you have cystitis…?
Cystitis, as anyone who has ever suffered will know, is misery. It’s not being over-dramatic to say that it can seriously affect your life if you suffer from recurrent episodes. This web site tells you a bit about cystitis, and what you can potentially do about it, including using D-Mannose, which we have found to really work.
What is cystitis?
Inflammation of the bladder, often caused by infection. It is more likely to occur in women than men: most women get at least one episode of cystitis in their adult lives, and about one in five has multiple episodes.
What are the main symptoms?
What causes cystitis?
There are several possible causes:
Women are more likely to get cystitis caused by infections. It is more likely that bacteria from the anus will get into the mouth of the urethra in women, since their urethra is shorter, and the end is closer to the anus. They are also more likely to get cystitis caused by an irritation of the bladder or urethra through sex.
There are a couple of other subtypes of cystitis caused by chemicals or by radiation, but we don’t cover them here. If you think you may have one of these, you should talk to your doctor.
What can I do to alleviate the symptoms?
The acute symptoms usually pass in a day or so, and often without assistance. The really acute phase often only lasts a few hours, although this can seem like forever at the time!
Some people swear by drinking lots of water, or cranberry juice. However, a recent review of the evidence suggests that cranberry juice isn’t effective. You can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to help with the pain. You can also buy ‘cystitis powders’ in pharmacies, which make your urine more alkaline. This is thought to be more unpleasant for any bacteria in there. The evidence is unclear, but some people find them helpful.
You can also try taking D-mannose
What is cystitis?
Inflammation of the bladder, often caused by infection. It is more likely to occur in women than men: most women get at least one episode of cystitis in their adult lives, and about one in five has multiple episodes.
What are the main symptoms?
- Pain and a burning sensation on passing urine;
- A feeling that you need to go to the toilet urgently all the time;
- Your urine is darker and smells funny, or there is blood in it;
What causes cystitis?
There are several possible causes:
- An infection in the bladder or urinary tract, often referred to as a urinary tract infection or UTI (usually because you are not emptying your bladder fully, or because bacteria have got transferred from the anus (back passage) to the urethra (the tube between the bladder and the outside). This can happen during sex, or as a result of wiping the wrong way after going to the toilet);
- Damage or irritation to the urethra (eg. from friction during sex, from wearing tight clothes, or from a catheter);
- Diabetes can also cause cystitis, as it results in sugar in the urine.
Women are more likely to get cystitis caused by infections. It is more likely that bacteria from the anus will get into the mouth of the urethra in women, since their urethra is shorter, and the end is closer to the anus. They are also more likely to get cystitis caused by an irritation of the bladder or urethra through sex.
There are a couple of other subtypes of cystitis caused by chemicals or by radiation, but we don’t cover them here. If you think you may have one of these, you should talk to your doctor.
What can I do to alleviate the symptoms?
The acute symptoms usually pass in a day or so, and often without assistance. The really acute phase often only lasts a few hours, although this can seem like forever at the time!
Some people swear by drinking lots of water, or cranberry juice. However, a recent review of the evidence suggests that cranberry juice isn’t effective. You can take over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen to help with the pain. You can also buy ‘cystitis powders’ in pharmacies, which make your urine more alkaline. This is thought to be more unpleasant for any bacteria in there. The evidence is unclear, but some people find them helpful.
You can also try taking D-mannose
Should I go to my doctor?
Basically, yes.
Men or children who have the symptoms of cystitis should always go to their doctor, as the symptoms may not be caused by a bladder infection. Women should always go to the doctor the first time they experience the symptoms, and anyone who has cystitis more than three times in a year should also see their doctor.
What will my doctor do?
If your symptoms have largely cleared up by the time you get to your doctor, he or she may just give you advice about future prevention.
However, many doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics, which might range from 3 days to 10 days depending on the severity of your symptoms and how often you’ve had cystitis before. You really need to tell your doctor if you’re getting recurrent infections, especially if you often see different doctors in the practice.
If you get recurrent cystitis, your doctor may prescribe either a ‘stand-by’ antibiotic (one to take as soon as you experience the symptoms) or a longer course of antibiotics.
If your symptoms don’t improve within a couple of days of taking antibiotics, go back to the doctor.
Basically, yes.
Men or children who have the symptoms of cystitis should always go to their doctor, as the symptoms may not be caused by a bladder infection. Women should always go to the doctor the first time they experience the symptoms, and anyone who has cystitis more than three times in a year should also see their doctor.
What will my doctor do?
If your symptoms have largely cleared up by the time you get to your doctor, he or she may just give you advice about future prevention.
However, many doctors will prescribe a course of antibiotics, which might range from 3 days to 10 days depending on the severity of your symptoms and how often you’ve had cystitis before. You really need to tell your doctor if you’re getting recurrent infections, especially if you often see different doctors in the practice.
If you get recurrent cystitis, your doctor may prescribe either a ‘stand-by’ antibiotic (one to take as soon as you experience the symptoms) or a longer course of antibiotics.
If your symptoms don’t improve within a couple of days of taking antibiotics, go back to the doctor.