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| Cystitis |
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Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder. This disease is characterized by frequent urination with only a small amount of urine, burning sensation during urination and pain in the area of the kidneys. Sometimes pain is accompanied by an infection and rise of temperature.
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Symptoms |
Symptoms of cystitis can include:
- a stinging or burning sensation when you pass urine
- the need to urinate more often than you usually do
- feeling the need to urinate urgently, even if you pass very little or no urine
- urine that is cloudy or dark coloured, and may have a strong smell
- blood in your urine
- pain or tenderness in your lower back or lower abdomen
- a general feeling of being unwell
These symptoms can also be due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as chlamydia (see Related topics). If you think you may have an STI, visit your GP or a genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinic for confidential diagnosis and treatment.
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Causes |
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Cystitis is often caused by bacteria that gets into your urethra from surrounding skin and travels up towards your bladder, causing infection and irritation. The majority of infections are caused by bacteria that normally live harmlessly in your bowel. The infections are usually caused by a bacterium called Escherichia coli (or E. coli for short).
Women get cystitis more than men partly because in women the urethra is nearer the opening of the back passage (the anus) where bacteria from your bowel can collect. This makes it easier for bacteria to get transferred from the surrounding skin into the urethra. The urethra is also much shorter in women than in men, so there is less distance for the infection to travel to the bladder.
There are a number of ways that bacteria can get into your bladder. You are more likely to get cystitis if you:
- are sexually active - the risk seems to go up with the frequency you have intercourse
- use spermicide-coated condoms or a diaphragm with spermicide as a method of contraception
- have passed the menopause - this causes changes to the lining of your vagina and urethra that may make you more likely to get bacteria in your urine
- have a urinary catheter - this can introduce bacteria directly into your bladder
- have diabetes - your urine may contain more sugar and so encourage bacteria to grow
- have a condition that prevents you from emptying your bladder - for example if you have bladder or kidney stones, have an enlarged prostate or are pregnant
Bathing and hygiene products, such as talcum powder or perfumed soap, may also irritate your urethra or bladder.
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Home Remedies |
Eat plenty blueberries, they have been just as good as cranberry juice for relieving cystitis symptoms.
You can take a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of fresh lime juice and mix these with a cup of cucumber juice three times every day. Cucumber juice, as a strong diuretic can give instant relief from abdominal pain by helping in emptying the bladder. While honey and lemon act as antibacterial agents by removing bacteria from the bladder, they help in eliminating the disease.
Drinking cranberry juice can help in treating cystitis by preventing the bacteria to stick to the wall of the urinary bladder. This helps in reducing the severity of the infection.
Vitamin C can help in checking the bacterial growth by creating an acidic environment inside the bladder and the urinary tract.
Drinking plenty of water helps not only in cleaning the urethra but also in removing bacteria from the system.
If you have suggestions or know of a proven home remedy add it here in the comment area.
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| Herbal Remedies |
Put 1 tsp of crushed parsley leaves and roots in 1 cup of boiling water, steep for 2-3 hours and drink 1 cup a day 1 hour before meal.
Steep 1 tbsp of nettle leaves or roots in 200 g of boiling water for 45 min. Filter and drink 1/3 cup 3 times a day before meal.
Marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) - Has soothing demulcent properties. It is best taken as a cold infusion; soak the herb in cold water for several hours, strain, and drink.
If you have suggestions or know of a proven herbal remedy add it here in the comment area.
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| Wellness Program |
The importance of nutrition cannot be overstated and changing to a healthy diet may help relieve symptoms.
- Eliminate food sensitivities, which are often the cause of chronic inflammatory conditions. To determine food sensitivities, use an elimination and challenge diet.
- Eat whole, fresh, unrefined, and unprocessed foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, and mackerel).
- Avoid sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk foods, some beans (fava, lima, black, soy) and caffeine. Coffee, chocolate, alcohol, carbonated drinks, citrus fruits, and tomatoes often worsen symptoms.
- Drink 50% of your body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., if you weigh 150 lbs, drink 75 oz of water daily).
A healthy diet will help, and it is generally accepted that tea, coffee, alcohol and citrus drinks will make the symptoms of Cystitis worse. When attacks occur, it is vital to flush the system with plenty of water and cranberry juice may help.
Regular cleaning of genital areas – anus and vagina can help in keeping bacterial infections at bay.
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