Cystitis or urinary tract infection is a global health problem that causes approximately 8 million medical visits each year worldwide.
This is the dominant bacterial infection and women are most affected for anatomical reasons.
How do you get cystitis?
How to treat a urinary tract infection?
How do you recognize interstitial cystitis?
I wanted to share this complete guide on these very painful kidney problems as well as the remedies and means of prevention that can be implemented to stop those recalcitrant infections.
Yes me too, I know this pain!
Contents
- 1 What is cystitis?
- 2 Causes of cystitis
- 3 Cystitis symptoms
- 4 Diagnosing UTI
- 5 Can cystitis just go away?
- 6 Prevention of urinary tract infection
- 7 Can cystitis be cured naturally?
- 8 Instant UTI relief
- 9 What is interstitial cystitis?
- 10 How to get rid of recurrent urinary tract infections
- 11 Complications of cystitis
- 12 What is the fastest way to get rid of cystitis?
What is cystitis?
Cystitis, also known as lower urinary tract infection is inflammation of the kidneys.
It is more common in women because their urethra is shorter than that of men and is closer to the anus.
The urethra is the ultimate tubular structure in the urinary tract that carries urine from the kidneys out.
A woman’s urethra is about 4cm while a man is 15-25cm.
Causes of cystitis
The most common cause of acute cystitis is a bacterial infection often caused by a bacteria called Escherichia coli.
Normally the urinary sphere is sterile but sometimes bacteria lodged on the skin enter through the urethra and migrate to the urinary tract thus triggering the infection.
Cystitis: risk factors
The most important factors causing cystitis are:
– constipation
– sex
– a lack of water
– a cold
Cystitis symptoms
Clinical symptoms of cystitis are:
– pollakiuria or a persistent urge to urinate
– dysuria or painful urination associated with a burning sensation
– pain in the lower abdomen
– cloudy urine
– hematuria or blood in the urine
Fever may also be part of the clinical picture.
Diagnosing UTI
Your doctor may order a urine test to identify the bacteria causing the infection.
It is very important not to take any antibiotics before the result of this test so as not to lead to a false negative.
To do this test, you must collect a urine sample to give it to a laboratory for analysis.
Culture is then done to determine which antibiotic can stop the growth of the bacteria.
It usually takes 2-3 days to complete.
At the end of this examination, the doctor sets up the appropriate treatment and especially the most effective antibiotic to eradicate the bacteria in question.
Can cystitis just go away?
In some cases, the infection may resolve and heal on its own.
But most UTIs are easily treated if caught on time.
Late treatment can lead to complications such as the spread of infection to the kidneys, hence the importance of a fast diagnosis and treatment.
Prevention of urinary tract infection
A few simple steps can save you from this very nasty type of infection:
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Drink lots of water to eliminate
Of course, you need to drink plenty of water when you have cystitis in order to eliminate the bacteria lodged in the kidneys, bladder, and urethra.
On the other hand, if you take antibiotics, be sure to limit your intake so as not to over-dilute it and prevent it from fighting infection.
If you want to avoid any risk of cystitis, you should drink plenty of water on a regular basis.
To really fight the infection, consider doubling your usual intake until symptoms disappear.
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Empty the bladder regularly
Take care not to keep urine too long and relieve yourself regularly.
Also, remember to empty the bladder quickly after any sexual intercourse.
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Shower or bath?
Take shower rather than bathe during a crisis and wear cotton underwear and loose clothing.
Can cystitis be cured naturally?
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Cranberry for Uti
You can eat the fruit directly or choose a cranberry supplement (#ad).
Cranberry helps expel bacteria and prevents them from adhering to the walls of the kidneys, which speeds recovery from infection.
Mild and natural antibiotic, cranberries are very interesting as a preventive treatment lasting from 3 to 6 months to avoid any recurrence.
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Vitamin C for bladder infection
Vitamin C attacks bacteria directly through its acidity.
So if your urine is more acidic, bacteria will no longer tolerate this environment.
Choose an Ester-C (#ad) for better absorption.
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Probiotics intimate flora
Whole yogurt or probiotics also help fight invading bacteria.
Yogurt contains a beneficial bacteria called lactobacillus acidophilus which will directly attack and destroy harmful bacteria.
Probiotics for intimate flora (#ad) repel e.coli bacteria, candida Albicans, and any fungal infection.
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The heat
Applying a hot water bottle to the lower abdomen reduces pain, and the permanent burning sensation and brings you some comfort.
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Bladder Ease
This vegan and organic supplement is a blend of Vitamin A, citrus flavonoids, L-Arginine, Quercetin, Glucosamine, Cornsilk, and Oregon grape.
Vitamin A is essential in maintaining healthy immune function, on the epithelial and mucosal surfaces, including those in the bladder.
Bioflavonoids and Quercetin promote a healthy inflammatory response.
L-Arginine promotes the activity of nitric oxide synthase, further supporting the healthy function of the bladder.
Oregon grape root and Cornsilk have a positive and supportive benefit for the bladder tissues.
Bladder Ease (#ad) seems to be a great help for
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Oregano essential oil benefits
Oregano has potent anti-inflammatory properties that quickly clear the symptoms of cystitis.
It is also an excellent anti-infective that effectively fights all types of pathogens.
Its broad-spectrum anti-bacterial action suppresses the bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.
Note that it also has fungicidal, parasiticidal, antiviral, and mycobactericidal properties.
Choose a good oregano essential oil (#ad) and treat cystitis with a drop in sugar or honey 3 times a day for 7-10 days.
Note that oregano oil is very powerful, so it should not be used long-term.
Instant UTI relief
At the beginning of cystitis when you feel that it is about to break out, it is essential to throw yourself on a bottle of water and consume it quickly.
Indeed, the first thing to do is to drink very, very abundantly to expel the most bacteria from the bladder from the start.
You can garnish your water with fresh lemon juice for its diuretic and slightly antibiotic effect.
You can also prefer thyme herbal tea and its antimicrobial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties.
Limit yourself to 3 cups per day without exceeding a week of use.
In the absence of an antibiotic, the D-Mannose capsules (#ad), a simple sugar made by the body but not stored in the liver is an effective alternative to consider.
It manages to destroy bacteria and stop urinary tract infection by taking 500mg every 2-3 hours (2 to 4 grams per day) for at least 5 days.
It is also very effective for interstitial cystitis.
What is interstitial cystitis?
Unlike acute cystitis, interstitial cystitis is inflammation of the bladder that has no infectious cause.
Symptoms are the same as a kidney infection with the manifestation of pain or pressure that may increase as the bladder fills.
The urge to urinate is then more frequent but does not relieve pain or pressure.
These symptoms may be intermittent or become constant.
The exact cause of this condition is unknown but certain factors seem to encourage it such as:
- feces that appear to spread toxic substances that irritate the kidneys
- an autoimmune reaction
- inheritance
- infection
- an allergy
Although interstitial cystitis has the same symptoms as UTI, it does not respond to antibiotic treatment.
To treat interstitial cystitis it is recommended to:
– change your diet by cutting out sour fruits, and spicy dishes and limiting coffee
– start therapy to strengthen the pelvic muscles
How to get rid of recurrent urinary tract infections
By definition, UTI is considered to be recurrent when it occurs twice or more in a year.
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Risk factors
The first reaction to have is to assess the risk factors that may trigger cystitis.
What behaviors contribute to the onset of a crisis?
Are you getting older?
Do you lack hygiene?
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Chronic cystitis diagnosis
The second anatomical point this time is analyzed by your urologist.
Is your urine blocked with stones?
Do you have an anatomical abnormality explaining these recurrences?
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Preventing recurrence
In all cases, recurrent urinary tract infection depends directly on these two causes: the environment or an anatomical problem.
The major environmental cause is most certainly insufficient water intake.
Many women do not like water and forget to hydrate enough every day.
Over time, chronic dehydration leads to urinary tract infection.
Likewise, many people hold urine for too long, forgetting to pass it when it takes an average of 6 to 10 times a day to urinate.
The accumulated urine loads up with bacteria that multiply and colonize the bladder before triggering symptoms of cystitis.
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Menopause and cystitis
Menopause is a period of a woman’s life during which major changes occur in the thinning tissues and a drop in pH in the urethra and kidneys.
In addition, the vagina develops pathogenic bacteria that can grow and colonize the kidneys.
Added to this is the change in PH which helps bacteria to proliferate.
It is therefore essential to treat vaginal infections in the first place to avoid recurring UTIs.
Complications of cystitis
Cystitis that is poorly treated or does not respond to antibiotics is likely to escalate.
The infection then spreads to the kidneys and declares pyelitis or pyelonephritis.
Pyelitis is an acute inflammation of the walls of the renal pelvis.
Pyelonephritis is the medical term used to associate pyelitis and nephritis when they occur together.
In this case, it is an infection of the pelvis (pyelitis) and renal parenchyma (nephritis), a medical emergency.
These complications are most often manifested by fever associated with pain in the back and flank.
What is the fastest way to get rid of cystitis?
Cystitis is a common problem that responds to different factors that should not be overlooked.
Whether it is hygiene, insufficient hydration, an anatomical problem, or digestive problems, bacteria must be blocked so as not to fall into the recurrent urinary tract infection trap that affects the kidneys.
There are simple remedies to relieve cystitis just as there are supplements and herbs to effectively prevent it.
UTI is painful and bothersome. It should not be taken lightly and not treated.
Avoid complications by acting quickly.
*Read more:
Kidney stones natural treatment
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