DISEASES

Several tips to help if you have recurring cystitis

Author: Dr. Lee
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Time: 2012/3/16 16:34:08

Your body has defences to prevent bacteria from causing cystitis. The mucus around your vagina and opening of your urethra is slightly acid which prevents bacteria from multiplying. Although bacteria may thrive in urine, you empty your bladder regularly which flushes urine out. Also, the cells that line your urethra and bladder have some resistance against bacteria.

In most cases, there is no apparent reason why cystitis recurs. There is usually no problem with your bladder or defence (immune) system that can be identified. It is possible there may be a slight alteration in the ability of the body to resist bacteria getting into the bladder and causing infection. A slight variation in the body's defence may tip the balance in favour of bacteria to cause infection. (In a similar way, some people seem more prone to colds, sore throats, etc.)

If you only have the occasional bout of cystitis, you do not need to do anything or change your lifestyle. If you have recurring cystitis, one or more of the following may help:

Hygiene. There is no evidence that poor hygiene can lead to cystitis. In fact, some women wash their anus and vagina too much, which may do more harm than good. Too much scrubbing and cleaning may slightly damage your genital skin. Bacteria thrive better on damaged skin. Cleaning or douching your vagina may alter the normal balance of protective mucus, which may allow bacteria to thrive. A common sense approach is to wash your anus and the nearby skin gently once a day with soap and water. Do not scrub and do not douche your vagina.

Underwear. Wear cotton underwear and change daily. Do not wear tight-fitting trousers or tights. This avoids warm, moist, airless conditions around your genitals, which some types of bacteria like. Again, there is no proof that this advice helps, but it seems sensible.

Wiping your anus from front to back after you pass a stool (faeces) is commonly advised. The logic is that bacteria from your anus will be pushed back away from your urethra, and not towards it.

Drink lots each day to flush out your bladder frequently. This may possibly help to prevent cystitis. (There is no proof, but it seems sensible.) It is also commonly advised to drink lots to treat cystitis if symptoms start. However, the advice to drink lots after symptoms start is controversial. This may do little to clear bacteria from an inflamed bladder, and drinking lots may just cause more (painful) toilet trips.

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