How is cystitis treated?
In the case of a bladder infection, a one-off or short-term therapy (3 days) with an antibiotic (bacteria-killing medication) is usually carried out. This has the advantage that there are fewer side effects, the natural intestinal bacteria are less affected and there is less risk of resistance developing. Preparations such as: A vaccination against cystitis also offers the possibility of reducing the frequency of urinary tract infections in the form of prevention.
- Cotrimoxazole
- Gyrase inhibitors (Avalox®, Ciprobay etc.) or
- Cephalosporins (cefuroxime etc.) The pain can be alleviated by analgesics that relieve the cramps (e.g. Buscopan®).
In addition, it is recommended to keep the abdomen warm (relaxes the muscles involved and has an antispasmodic effect) and to drink a lot (at least 1.5 – 2 L / day), as this makes it easier for the bacteria to be flushed out and the mucous membrane less irritated. Recommended are low-carbonated water, diluted juices and any kind of tea. Household remedies against cystitis are another therapeutic option.
If the cystitis is caused by radiation or chemotherapy, further medication or endoscopic measures (obliteration of bleeding sources or similar) may be necessary, depending on the symptoms. In complicated urinary tract infections or those acquired in hospital (nosocomial infections), multi-resistant germs (insensitive to many antibiotics) are often involved. Once the causative bacteria has been identified, antibiotic treatment can be targeted.
In the case of recurring complaints, it can either really be a new infection or a new “flare-up” of the original infection, e.g. if the treatment is inadequate. The pathogen is the same in the latter case. If there is no improvement after about 3 weeks, even with targeted antibiotics, or if there is a “relapse”, an ultrasound or an x-ray of the abdomen should be performed to rule out complicating factors such as urinary stones, flow disorders and the like.
A urogram or endoscopic examination may even be necessary. To prevent such a relapse, low doses of antibiotics, e.g. Cotrimoxazole, once a day may be appropriate for (uncomplicated infections). Otherwise one should protect oneself from hypothermia, i.e. change wet clothes as soon as possible.
The patient should go to the toilet immediately in case of urgency and not wait long. Furthermore, a therapy can be supported by homeopathic medication. We have created a completely separate topic for this.
Forecast
Without concomitant diseases the prognosis is very good. The acute cystitis is completely cured.
