CYSTITIS
This condition affects eight of ten women at some time in their lives. For many, it is an isolated event but for the unlucky few, cystitis keeps coming back and life becomes an endless round of antibiotics, which can often result in thrush and the need for further medication - the use of probiotics will help against this problem.
Some cystitis symptoms are
The need to empty your bladder frequently but producing little urine
Burning or stinging when you pass urine
Low abdominal pain or backache
and sometimes bloodstained urine
An infection is the most common cause of cystitis but for about 50 per cent, urine analysis can show no sign of bacteria.
The triggers for cystitis are wide ranging and can include
Sex
Alcohol
tea and coffee
too much sugar in the diet
heat and cold
wearing tight clothing
prolapse
chemicals in soap
bubble baths
the chemicals in a swimming pool
spermicides
Some women experience minor cystitis just before a period.
The orthodox treatment is a course of antibiotics, and sometimes a preparation to rebalance the pH level of the urine called Potassium Citrate, and sufferers are advised to drink plenty of fluids and to rest. Very occasionally some women may be given a “urethral stretch” which seems to alleviate the symptoms. But about one in ten women who experience repeated attacks of cystitis, resist antibiotic treatment, and for them doctors have coined the term “urethral syndrome” - meaning that they don't know what to do next.
There are a number of things that can be done to help prevent a full-blown attack if you are prone to the condition, and many alternative therapies are successful at treating it. To prevent an attack eat a good wholefood diet. Drink three to four pints of liquid a day, but not too much tea and coffee – herbal teas and mineral waters are much better.
Do not put off emptying your bladder if the urge is there to pass water, go to the toilet regularly and don’t use vaginal deodorants, bubble baths, talc or perfumed soap. Particular attention should be paid to hygiene and washing the genital area must be done after passing urine or opening the bowels – wipe your bottom from front to back to prevent germs from the anus entering your urinary tract.
If an attack develops there are some general guidelines to follow: increase your fluid intake and drink half a pint of water every 20 minutes for about three hours. Steer clear of coffee, tea, alcohol and anything spicy. Stay warm – place a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel against your back or on your pelvic area. Drinking barley water can help to soothe inflammation and eating leeks is also recommended as they are alkaline and can act as a diuretic and antiseptic. Drinking cranberry juice can also help as it is thought that the components in the juice interfere with the bacteria’s ability to stick to the lining of the bladder. But take care as some women find it can be too acidic.
If you do have to take antibiotics make sure you get plenty of vitamin C since antibiotics rob your body of this vitamin. Eat live yoghurt (if it causes you bloating then do not eat it) to rebalance the system or take a concentrated form of live beneficial or friendly bacteria such as Multi-Strain probiotics tablets.
Caprylic acid is also helpful at fighting bacteria imbalance infections at bay.
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