If you're unable to empty your bladder fully, any bacteria that get inside may not be flushed out when you go to the toilet and can multiply more easily. For women who have been through the menopause , or are going through it, the lining of the urethra can shrink and become thinner because of a lack of the hormone oestrogen.
The natural balance of bacteria in the vagina may also change, which can allow potentially harmful bacteria to become more common. You're more likely to get cystitis if you have diabetes — a condition where the level of sugar in your body becomes too high. High levels of sugar in your urine can provide a good environment for bacteria to multiply, so any bacteria that get into the bladder are more likely to cause cystitis.
Mild cystitis will usually clear up on its own within a few days, although sometimes you may need to take antibiotics. Women who have had cystitis before don't necessarily need to see their GP if the condition returns, as mild cases often get better without antibiotics. You can try the self-help measures below or ask your pharmacist for advice.
If you've had cystitis before and don't feel you need to see your GP, the following advice may help to relieve your symptoms until the condition clears up:. Some people find drinking cranberry juice or using products that reduce the acidity of their urine such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate reduce their symptoms, but there's a lack of evidence to suggest they're effective.
These products are also not suitable for everyone. Check with your GP or pharmacist before trying them if you're taking any other medication. In some cases, your GP may prescribe a course of antibiotics.
This will usually involve taking a tablet or capsule two to four times a day for three days. Antibiotics should start to have an effect quite quickly. Return to your GP if your symptoms haven't started to improve within a few days. Most people won't have any side effects from antibiotic treatment, but possible side effects can include feeling or being sick, itching , a rash and diarrhoea.
If you keep getting cystitis known as recurrent cystitis your doctor may prescribe stand-by antibiotics or continuous antibiotics. A stand-by antibiotic is a prescription you can take to a pharmacy the next time you have symptoms of cystitis, without needing to visit your GP first. Continuous antibiotics are taken for several months to prevent further episodes of cystitis.
These may be prescribed:. Your doctor may also recommend some measures you can take to prevent cystitis, although it's not clear how effective these are. Home Illnesses and conditions Kidneys, bladder and prostate Cystitis. Cystitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1.
About cystitis 2. Symptoms of cystitis 3. Causes of cystitis 4. Treating cystitis. About cystitis Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by a bladder infection. Signs and symptoms of cystitis The main symptoms of cystitis include: pain, burning or stinging when you pee needing to pee more often and urgently than normal urine that's dark, cloudy or strong smelling pain low down in your tummy feeling generally unwell, achy, sick and tired Possible symptoms in young children include a high temperature fever of 38C Read more about the symptoms of cystitis When to get professional advice Speak to your pharmacist if you think you may have cystitis or symptoms of a urine infection.
Pharmacy First Scotland: Urinary infection treatment from your pharmacy Women between the ages of 16 and to 65 years with symptoms of a mild urinary infection can get advice and treatment directly from their pharmacist through the Pharmacy First Scotland service. Your pharmacist may be able to provide you with treatment to clear the infection, although there may be situations where they will recommend you see your GP.
Find your local pharmacy on Scotland's Service directory. You should see your GP if: your symptoms don't start to improve within a few days you get cystitis frequently you have severe symptoms, such as blood in your urine you're pregnant and have symptoms of cystitis you're a man and have symptoms of cystitis your child has symptoms of cystitis Your GP should be able to diagnose the problem by asking about your symptoms.
What causes cystitis? It's not always clear how this happens, but it can be caused by: having sex wiping your bottom after going to the toilet — particularly if you wipe from back to front inserting a tampon or urinary catheter a thin tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder using a diaphragm for contraception Women may get cystitis more often than men because their anus back passage is closer to their urethra, and their urethra is much shorter, which means bacteria may be able to get into the bladder more easily.
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Cystitis What is cystitis? It is the most common type of urinary tract infection UTI , particularly in women. How do you get cystitis? Other reasons for cystitis include kidney stones and abnormal growths in the urinary tract. Terms explained Bladder — the bladder stores urine. Bowel — this is the part of the intestine which produces faeces poo.
Signs and symptoms Burning or pain when urinating. Needing to urinate a lot. A constant, dull ache in the lower belly. Urine that smells, contains blood or is cloudy. How do I know I have cystitis? If you think you have cystitis, see your doctor, who will test your urine. If the infection spreads you your kidneys it can become a serious health issue. Certain medications can cause your bladder to become inflamed.
Medicines pass through your body, and eventually exit through your urinary system. Some medications can irritate your bladder as they exit your body. Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, but it can also damage healthy cells and tissues.
Radiation treatment in the pelvic area can cause your bladder to become inflamed. Ongoing use of a catheter, a tube used to facilitate the release of urine from the bladder, can increase your risk of bacterial infection, and damage tissues in the urinary tract.
Both bacteria and damaged tissues can cause inflammation. Cystitis is more common in women due to their shorter urethra. However, both men and women are at risk for this condition. Men may be at a higher risk for cystitis if they have an enlarged prostate due to retention of urine in the bladder.
There are a few different ways to diagnose cystitis. Your doctor may ask for a urine sample to determine the cause of your cystitis and check for a UTI. Your doctor may also perform cystoscopy, or an imaging test to determine the cause of your symptoms. In a cystoscopy, a doctor inspects your bladder with a thin tube that has a camera and light attached.
Doctors can use the cystoscope to collect a biopsy of bladder tissue if needed. A biopsy is a small tissue sample used for further testing. Imaging tests are not often necessary, but they can be helpful in diagnosing cystitis. An X-ray or ultrasound can help rule out other causes of cystitis, such as a structural issue or tumor. Antibiotics are a common treatment for bacterial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis can also be treated with medication. Medication for interstitial cystitis depends on its cause. It is more common for chronic conditions.
Sometimes surgery can repair a structural issue. Sometimes you can manage cystitis symptoms at home, without taking medication.
These should not replace antibiotics if they are needed to treat a UTI. Common home therapy methods are:. There are other nonsurgical procedures for cystitis. Sometimes stretching the bladder with water or gas can temporarily improve symptoms.
Nerve stimulation can lower the frequency of bathroom visits and may relieve pelvic pain. And for cystitis caused by radiation or chemotherapy, medication can help flush the bladder.
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