HealthChat Women's Health
Cystitis Prevention
Statistics show that at least 50% of women have experienced
at least one episode of cystitis in their lifetime, and
the fact is that women, by virtue of their anatomy, are
much more likely than men to suffer from this infection.
Cystitis by definition is an infection of the bladder.
Bacteria are the cause, most commonly from a woman's own
body. In the healthy state the interior of the bladder is
a sterile environment, however when bacteria enter they
swiftly colonise, setting up off an inflammatory reaction.
Hence the typical symptoms of pain on passing water and
lower abdominal tenderness.
Generally, cystitis is successfully treated with a course
of antibiotics, but there are ways and means of reducing
your risk of infection in the first place.
- Maintain a good daily fluid intake - at least 1.5 -
2 litres of water per day.
- If you are prone to cystitis empty your bladder fully
before bedtime and immediately after intercourse.
- Research has shown that drinking 300 ml of cranberry
juice per day reduces your risk of cystitis by 50%. Alternatively
take cranberry extracts in a capsule form.
- Avoid constipation - constipation reduces the bladder's
ability to empty.
- Dandelion supplement acts as a powerful diuretic, ensuring
that infecting bacteria are passed out of the body before
they can cause an inflammatory reaction. The supplement
has been shown to be effective in preventing recurrent
cystitis but always ensure you are maintaining good fluid
intake per day.
- Always consult your GP if you are suffering recurrent
bouts of cystitis - to rule out any underlying cause that
might be increasing your risk of infection.
©HealthChat 2004
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