How is cystitis treated?

Mild cystitis will usually go away by itself in 2-4 days. If it doesnt, you should go to see your GP. In some cases (especially if you are pregnant), a short course (3 days) of antibiotics is given for cystitis. The symptoms should start to improve after the first day of treatment. If your symptoms do not improve, go back to your GP.

Over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken to reduce discomfort (always read the label and ask your pharmacist first if you are pregnant).

The earliest symptom of cystitis is usually a faint prickling feeling on passing urine. It is possible to get rid of mild cystitis, if you take action immediately. Some suggestions include:

Drink plenty of liquids.

Take a commercial urinary alkaliser or one teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) in water.

How to ease the pain during acute cystitis

The more you drink at the time of progress of cystitis, the more you urinate and the less painful is the urination process. During urination a part of bacteria that causes the disease is removed from the body. It is the best to drink natural cranberry juice, and the more is the better. Drinking natural cranberry juice heightens the acidity of the urine and thus lowers the multiplication of pathogenic bacteria.

Some components of the juice prevent the sticking of the bacteria to the walls of the urine bladder. Decoctions of horsetail and camomile with corn mint are also very helpful at the time of acute cystitis.

Diet during cystitis treatment

It is better to give up mineral water, coffee and black tea during cystitis. It is also suggested to avoid salted, spicy and greasy food as well as sweets during the course of treatment of cystitis. It is desirable to hold to this kind of diet for another week after the recovery.

Seek medical advice

Medical advice needs to be obtained promptly if self-help treatments aren’t working. The doctor usually tests the urine to check which micro-organism is present. It is important to see a doctor if a kidney infection or kidney stones are suspected because lasting damage or even kidney failure can occur if these conditions are left untreated.

How can cystitis be prevented?

In some women, one bout of cystitis allows the urinary system to build up a type of immunity and further bouts are rare. For other women, cystitis can occur quite regularly. Although not always backed up by research, some women have found the following suggestions useful:

Go to the toilet to pass urine as soon as you feel the urge, rather than holding on.

Drink plenty of water every day to flush the urinary system.

Wipe yourself from front to back (urethra to anus) after going to the toilet.

Wash your genitals before sex and encourage your partner to do the same.

Urinate after sex.

Wear cotton rather than nylon underwear.

Avoid wearing nylon pantyhose, tight pants or tight jeans.

Don’t use perfumed soaps, talcum powder or any type of deodorant around the genitals.

Avoid bubble baths.

Treat vaginal infections such as thrush or Trichomoniasis promptly, since these organisms can encourage cystitis.

Regular and severe attacks

Sometimes self-help treatments don’t work and medical assessment and investigation is needed. Cystitis can be treated with a course (or courses) of antibiotics. Regular and severe attacks of cystitis should be investigated, because an underlying disorder – such as kidney stones – may be the trigger.