Cystitis or urine infections are uncomplicated infections in the urinary tract, specifically in the lower tract, and it is one of the most frequent causes in primary care.
In most cases it is due to a fecal bacterium called E.coli (70-80%) that comes from our colon and colonizes the urogenital area. Generally, this bacterium arrives just where the vagina begins and is eliminated by the vaginal flow or the bacteriostatic properties (it prevents the reproduction of bacteria) of the urine.
If these bacteria are not eliminated, colonization begins, this bacterium adhered to the epithelium that lines the urinary tract begins to cause tissue damage and therefore inflammation, and that is when the symptoms begin.
Causes of urine infection
- In young women, the greatest risk factor is intercourse, therefore the greater the number of sexual relations, the greater the risk.
- The use of spermicides, spermicides come as gels, foams, creams or suppositories that are inserted into the vagina before sexual intercourse and prevent the mobilization of sperm.
- Taking a long time to urinate after having sex.
- Genetic factors that determine the anatomy of the urinary tract.
- Having recently had a urine infection as it is unknown how but it has been found that the same strain of bacteria hides in the bladder where it starts to reproduce again until the next episode.
- In postmenopausal women it has been detected that one could also be responsible since the concentration of Lactobacillus spp. that under normal conditions is part of our vaginal flora and protects us from infections. When an alteration in the vaginal flora occurs, there is an increase in vaginal pH, which favors vaginal colonization by bacteria from the colon or E.coli.
Symptoms of urine infection
Early detection of symptoms is very important because the sooner we start treatment, the sooner we will be able to stop the reproduction of the bacteria. One or more symptoms may appear:
- Need to urinate many times but in normal or lower volumes.
- Itching when urinating.
- Urgency when urinating.
- Pelvic pain.
- Cloudy and strong-smelling urine.
- Blood in the urine.
How to prevent urine infection?
HABITS
- Drink plenty of water.
- Frequent urination.
- Urination immediately after sexual intercourse.
- Correct hygiene when defecating, always from front to back and never the other way around.
BLUEBERRIES
The preventive effect of blueberries is not due to its antimicrobial activity or its ability to acidify urine, which is insufficient, but to the ability of proanthocyanidins, and specifically those of type A, to inhibit bacterial adhesion, it is important to emphasize that it will depend on the dose that we take of proanthocyanidins or PAC.
Regarding the duration and dosage of the administration of blueberries as a preventive method, based on the different studies carried out, blueberries should be administered for a period of 6-12 months.
At present, the ideal dose is unknown, since in the studies carried out it has been highly variable. Although in Spain, most of the commercialized preparations contain more than 100 mg of proanthocyanidins/day.
D-MANNOSE
D-mannose attaches to the “legs” of bacteria and prevents them from adhering to the wall of the urinary tract.
2 grams of D-Mannose daily is recommended.
One option would be Mannosar, which contains 2g of mannose, ursolic acid and PAC. On the one hand, both PAC (cranberry extract) and mannose prevent the adhesion of bacteria and on the other, ursolic acid favors the recovery of damaged urinary tract tissue.
LACTOBACILLI
As I mentioned in the main causes of urine infection, it can be due to a mismatch in the vaginal flora or microbiota, so we could try probiotics of specific strains in the intimate area, both orally and vaginally, although for now, it has been It has been shown that the protective effect of probiotics is transitory, so when we stop taking it, we could have recurrent urine infections again.
Probiovance intim is a supplement that contains specific strains of the intimate area and protect against infections.
Urine infection: what can I take?
BEARBERRY
Bearberry is a plant that has medicinal properties, one of them is the diuretic effect that will cause our own urine to eliminate the bacteria and the second and most important, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of the urinary tract.
Rotercysti is a traditional herbal medicine (bearberry extract) that can be used in adult women for the treatment of symptoms of minor lower urinary tract infections (e.g. bladder infection) such as burning sensation when urinating and/or frequent need to urinate. The advantage that it will offer us is that we will stop the urine infection before it progresses and it is necessary to take an antibiotic, therefore, the ideal is to start with two tablets at once every 12 hours at the first symptoms. We must consider that we can take it for a maximum of 5 days since if in this period we do not improve or worsen, it would be necessary to go to the doctor.
ANTIBIOTICS
The antibiotic is a drug subject to medical prescription. There are several reasons and that is that antibiotics, if misused, can harm both us and those around us due to resistance. Incorrect use of antibiotics makes them less effective. In addition, despite the majority of the urine infection being mild, there are complications such as pyelonephritis and it is important that a doctor determines the severity of the symptoms.
How long does the antibiotic take to work?
We must bear in mind that despite the fact that treatment with monurol or fosfomycin, which is the antibiotic treatment of first choice (always subject to medical prescription), has a very rapid effect, so we must begin to notice improvement shortly after taking it , it is The symptoms may not completely disappear instantly as there is tissue damage and inflammation in the urinary tract. What we must take into account is that we must always notice a relief of the symptoms, if we worsen or do not improve at all, it is necessary to go to the doctor again since it may be that the treatment is not having an effect on us and we need an alternative.
How to relieve cystitis fast?
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid drinks that cause irritation in the urinary tract such as coffee or alcohol…
- Start treatment as soon as possible, either with bearberry extract if we have very mild symptoms or with antibiotics if the symptoms are more severe. The time that we leave without looking for solutions works against us since it is time that we leave the bacteria to reproduce.
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