Cystitis – home remedies

Proven for generations

Even in the days before the discovery of antibiotics, people knew effective tips against the symptoms of cystitis. Home remedies such as kidney and bladder tea, for example, make use of herbal ingredients, which have been known for centuries. In addition, there are other measures that support the healing process in cystitis:

• Drink a lot and pee as often as possible
• Hot water bottle, envelopes and sitz baths
• Cranberry juice, also blueberry or cranberry juice
• If possible, no citrus juices and no coffee and alcohol

These tips can be very helpful and are in any case a useful supplement to a medication treatment. Those affected should not rely on it alone. If the symptoms of cystitis do not resolve soon, you should always consult a doctor. This can decide whether the use of antibiotics is necessary.

How do the home remedies for cystitis work?

Drink at least two liters

Sufficient drinking is always important and healthy.

In cystitis, however, the uptake of liquid or its excretion has a special relevance. For those who drink a lot often have to go to the bathroom and thus help to “flush out” the pathogens. The more rarely one urinates, the better the germs can multiply and in unfavorable cases even spread to the ureter and renal pelvis. Anyone who suffers from cystitis, so it is well advised to drink a lot (at least two liters a day) and the toilet, despite the possible pain not to resist.

Avoid coffee and alcohol

But not only the amount of liquid absorbed is crucial. Also What Drinking plays a role. For example, some drinks contain substances that irritate the urinary tract, making them additionally susceptible to infections and their spread. These include coffee and various citrus juices as well as alcohol in general. Also, especially sugary drinks such as lemonade and iced tea are rather counterproductive, since increased sugar levels can promote bacterial growth. Therefore, diabetics are also more often affected by bladder infections. Pure water or unsweetened teas of all kinds are the better beverage choice.

Do kidney and bladder tea help?

In contrast to normal herbal and fruit varieties contain special bladder tea from the pharmacy herbal ingredients that also have a diuretic effect such as teas with birch leaf extracts. Goldenrod herb not only increases the urine excretion, but also has antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. Bearberry leaves have a disinfecting effect, which is enhanced with a pinch of natron. Other herbal remedies that are useful in cystitis include nettle, juniper and horsetail.

Four to five cups of such a tea a day are sufficient. Bearberry tea should be drunk at bedtime so that the active ingredient can accumulate in the bladder.

The teas are available in the pharmacy as ordinary bags, but also as a powder that is simply stirred into hot (or warm) water and does not have to be drawn. You do not need a prescription for this, but caution is advised in people with heart or kidney disease regarding a “rinse-through” therapy. These patients should first consult with their physician.

Miracle drug cranberry juice?

For a long time, cranberry juice has been said to have miraculous powers in the fight against cystitis, and indeed it appears to have a positive effect, although there is no question of a miracle drug. The responsible active ingredient in the fruit is called proanthocyanidin and apparently makes it difficult to attach the pathogens to the walls of the urinary tract. Regular consumption of cranberry juice can thus help to reduce the spread of the infection and prevent the recurrence of cystitis. Also blueberries (blueberries) and cranberries contain the protective proanthocyanidin.

Heat relaxes

Applying a hot water bottle or warm compresses has a relaxing effect on the muscle, which often creeps when the bladder is disturbed, and thus relieves the symptoms. Also foot baths can be helpful.

Incidentally, a hot water bottle should not be placed on the bare skin, otherwise it may cause burns. It is best to wrap them in a towel first.

How to prevent?

With the right measures, healing can be helped, but how do you prevent cystitis? The most important thing here is the right hygiene in everyday life. To prevent bladder infection, you should therefore pay attention to the following things:

• When cleaning after bowel movements, always wipe from front to back to prevent germs from the anal region from reaching the urethra entrance.
• If possible, use the toilet within the first ten minutes after sexual intercourse to flush out possible pathogens.
• It is best to use only water or pH-neutral substances for intimate cleansing so as not to irritate the natural pH environment.
• Underwear should not be too tight and should be washed regularly at 60 ° C. Cotton is more breathable and therefore better than synthetic.

During sexual intercourse, it is almost impossible for germs to get close to the urethra that does not belong there. Above all, anal intercourse represents a particular risk here. In addition to the early urination is therefore also a subsequent cleaning of the intimate area.

A condom significantly reduces the risk of cystitis. Other contraceptives such as spermicides, the spiral or a diaphragm increase it on the other hand.

Other advice to prevent cystitis: Get out of wet clothes, avoid cold feet, and always wear warm enough. Because the body is overcooled, pathogens have easy play – even the trigger of one Bladder infection. home remedies and tips that support the treatment (drinking a lot, cranberry juice, etc.) can also be preventative.