Cystitis - How to prevent the summer infection

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder, which presents with symptoms of sharp pain, tingling and frequent urination. This is the first stage of a UTI, which naturally affects the bladder.

Although it seems like a minor disaster when it finds you on your vacation, there is a way to prevent and deal with it. In the case that there is no high fever, we are talking about a simple cystitis and sometimes you won't even need to take an antibiotic.

Cystitis is caused by a microbe (often the bacterium Escherichia coli) entering the bladder from the urethra. It is more common in women, since the female urethra is shorter than the male and therefore more exposed to the microbes of the wider area. It usually occurs in young girls who are starting to become sexually active, but it is also common in women who are entering menopause. However, experts say that the majority of women will experience cystitis at least once in their lifetime, and 20% will have it again. 

It is common in the summer months, because with the heat and wet swimwear, germs can find their target more easily. Also, you may not drink enough water to "flush" the bladder and have increased sexual activity (that's why they call it "Honeymoon Disease"). And frequent tampon use seems to have something to do with her appearance.

Drink 2 to 3 liters of water a day

Don't stay in a wet swimsuit in the heat. Very tight clothes are not recommended either, but at least be dry from the inside.

Never postpone a visit to the toilet and empty the bladder completely

Carefully take care of the cleanliness of the sensitive area with special products that you will find in the pharmacy and have baby wipes with you for the toilets of "questionable hygiene"

Make sure to empty your bladder and wash after intercourse

For prevention stock up nutritional supplements - in pills or tincture - especially for urinary tract infections and cystitis. Supplements with herbs such as: nettle, solidago, or thyme, but also the miraculous cranberry are very helpful in both prevention and relief after the symptoms appear.

If there is a fever, the pain is intense (also in the lower back) and you have blood, then you should definitely visit a doctor, get an antibiogram and get treatment.

In the simplest cases the situation is treated with paracetamol, lots of water and calmness. Additionally, we recommend the taking a natural dietary supplement with concentrated cranberry extract, but also vaginal probiotics, which strengthen the vaginal flora. 

In fact, taking cranberry changes the chemical composition of the urine, preventing bacteria, especially Escherichia coli (E. Coli), from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract.

This action seems to be due to the existence of various substances, e.g. of hippuric acid and proanthocyanidins (concentrated tannins) with high molecular weight. Recent clinical studies show that the use of cranberry results in a reduction in the number of urinary tract infections by 20% to 50% per year.

Cranberry is therefore a new alternative approach to the prevention of urinary tract infections by limiting the intake of antibiotics and the side effects that accompany them.