What will relieve cystitis

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About cystitis Cystitis is a common type of lower urinary tract infection UTI. But if you do, these may include: burning or stinging when you pee needing to pee regularly, but passing only a little or no urine cloudy, dark or strong-smelling urine blood in your urine — you may not be able to see the blood but it can be picked up in urine tests pain in your lower tummy a strong urge to pee, which can cause incontinence peeing without meaning to tiredness or feeling generally unwell a high temperature fever feeling confused especially in older people Sometimes cystitis symptoms come on very suddenly.

Cystitis symptoms in children Babies and children can get cystitis. Need a GP appointment? Telephone or Video GP service. Diagnosis of cystitis Cystitis often clears up on its own after a few days, so you may not need to see your GP. Self-help measures for cystitis Mild cystitis usually clears up by itself after a few days without any specific treatment. Take over-the-counter painkillers , such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Drink more fluids , such as water, to help flush out the infection.

Put a warm hot water bottle on your lower tummy to help ease any discomfort. Try to rest as much as possible. Some foods, such as tomatoes, spices and chocolate, can also make cystitis symptoms worse. Causes of cystitis Cystitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria can get into your urinary tract in lots of ways to cause an infection. During sex. Bacteria may get into your bladder when you have sex. Poor hygiene. Bacteria can pass from your anus to your urethra, especially if you have bowel incontinence.

Your growing uterus may press against your bladder, stopping it from emptying completely. This may make bacteria more likely to grow in your bladder. If your urine contains more sugar than usual, this can boost the growth of bacteria in your bladder and urethra.

Low oestrogen levels can make your urethra wall thinner and your urine more acidic. This can make you more prone to cystitis. Using a diaphragm or spermicide-coated condoms may make you more likely to get cystitis. Diaphragms can stop your bladder from emptying properly, which may mean more bacteria grow.

Stones calculi in your urinary system, such as kidney stones or bladder stones. These can get stuck, so your pee builds up in your bladder. An enlarged prostate. This can block your bladder, which means you pee less often. Conditions that affect the structure of your urinary tract. Complications of cystitis Cystitis is often mild and clears up on its own. Prevention of cystitis There are lots of things you can do to help prevent cystitis. Drink plenty of fluids every day, including water and diluted squash, but limit caffeinated drinks, such as tea and coffee.

After you pee, wipe from front to back. Keep your perineum skin between your anus and vulva clean and dry, especially after doing a poo. If you get cystitis after having sex, there are lots of things you can do to limit this. Pee before having sex. Pee after sex within 15 minutes to help flush away any bacteria. Wash your genital area and hands with water before you have sex. Use a lubricant gel during sex. Try not to use spermicide-coated condoms, as these may increase your chances of getting cystitis.

Use a different form of contraception instead, and make sure you protect yourself from STIs — ask your GP for advice. Some people believe drinking cranberry juice or using products that lowers the acidity of their urine such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium citrate reduces their symptoms, but there's a lack of evidence to suggest they're effective.

These products also aren't suitable for everyone. Check with a GP or pharmacist before trying them if you're taking any other medication. In some cases, a GP may prescribe a course of antibiotics. This will usually involve taking a tablet or capsule 2 to 4 times a day for 3 days. Antibiotics should start to have an effect quite quickly. Go back to your GP if your symptoms haven't started to improve within a few days.

Most people won't have any side effects from antibiotic treatment, but possible side effects can include feeling or being sick, itching , a rash and diarrhoea. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Female cystoscopy Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Female cystoscopy Cystoscopy allows your doctor to view your lower urinary tract to look for abnormalities, such as a bladder stone.

Male cystoscopy Open pop-up dialog box Close. Male cystoscopy Cystoscopy allows your doctor to view your lower urinary tract to look for abnormalities in your urethra and bladder. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Kellerman RD, et al. Bacterial infections of the urinary tract in women. In: Conn's Current Therapy Elsevier; Accessed April 29, Bennett JE, et al. Urinary tract infections. Hooton TM. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection. New England Journal of Medicine. Stein R, et al. European Urology.

Interstitial cystitis. The Merck Manual Professional Edition. A guide to chemotherapy.