Bacterial Cystitis

Bacterial cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder common in otherwise healthy women.

Symptoms 

• Burning pain during urination
• Urgent and frequency in urination
• Cloudy urine due to the presence of leucocytes
•  Fowl smelling urine which may be pale-red in colour due to bleeding
• Tenderness in the area above the pubic bone which is due to the underlying inflamed bladder.

Other symptoms

• Sudden increase in temperature with accompanying chills
•   Back pain
• Vomiting and fatigue
• Tenderness overlying the kidney indicating a potentially kidney infection called pyelonephritis

Causes of Bacterial Cystitis

About 30% of women develop cystitis at some point during their life. Here are factors that could predispose a woman to this infection:

• Sex. The rubbing effect of sheets dance on the urethra propels bacteria from the urethra into the urinary bladder. Many women develop their first bladder infections following their first sheets dance- a condition referred to as “honeymoon cystitis”
• Women’s underwear. It has been proven that wearing thongs can usher bacteria from the butthole to the urethra. This could result to Bacterial cystitis.
• A relatively short urethra. The position of the urethra makes it subject to faecal contamination and colonization with potentially pathogenic intestinal bacteria. From there, the bacteria need only travel a few centimetres to access the bladder.
• Use of diaphragm to avoid pregnancy. The ring of the diaphragm may press against the urethra and impede the flow of urine, increasing by two to three times the risk of urinary infection.
• Paraplegics. Individuals with paralysis of the lower half of the body are almost always afflicted with urinary infections. Because they lack bladder control, paraplegics are unable to empty their bladders normally and require a catheter indefinitely to carry their urine to a container.
• Diabetes. The urine of diabetics can contain a lot of sugar, encouraging the growth of bacteria.

Prevention of Bacterial cystitis

• Drink enough fluid to ensure urinating at least four to five times daily.
• Urinate immediately after each sex.
• Wipe from front to back after using the bathroom to reduce faecal contamination of the vagina and urethra.
• Stop using feminine perfumed products.
• Refrain from wearing thongs, G-strings or items that are not natural cotton.
• Take a dose of antibacterial medication immediately before or after each sex to prevent recurrent infections.
• If you are in that time of the month, use pads instead of tampons and change each time you use the bathroom.

Treatment of bacterial cystitis

Treatment of bacterial cystitis is usually done with a few days of an antimicrobial medication.

See your doctor once you notice any of the above listed symptoms, he will prescribe the best suitable antibiotics required and once you begin your medication; don’t stop until you are through with the prescribed dosage, even if you feel better.

Don’t dance in the sheets until you are clean. It could make bacterial cystitis worse.