Recurrent urinary tract infections are cystitis, which are infections that affect the bladder and recur frequently, especially in women. These are recurrent cystitis. Almost 50% of women suffer from recurrent cystitis at some time during their lives.
E. coli bacteria are the most frequent cause of these infections. This bacterium is usually found in the intestine and reaches the vagina because of its proximity to the rectum. Women have a very short urethra so these bacteria can penetrate the bladder more easily.
The main symptoms are:
- Itching or stinging when urinating.
- Urgent and frequent need to urinate.
- Pain during urination and sexual intercourse.
- Pain in the hypogastrium (above the bladder).
- Cloudy urine with bad odor.
- Fever and chills.
- Nausea and vomiting.
There are other pathologies that can also cause repeated urinary tract infections in women and men, such as bladder and kidney tumors and, very often, the existence of lithiasis (stones) in the urinary tract. In men, prostate hyperplasia due to poor emptying of the bladder during urination.
How should they be treated?
It is essential to do a urine culture to see which is the causative germ and give the appropriate antibiotic. Many times the urine culture is negative and then antibiotics should not be given and the patient should be treated with pharmacy products composed of D-Mannose, which makes it difficult for bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall; American cranberry and vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.
When these infections with positive cultures are repeated frequently, they can also be treated with individualized autoimmune vaccines, which are very convenient, since they are manufactured in the form of a spray and with 2 nasal applications daily for 2 months, very good results are obtained and the need for antibiotics is avoided.
Recommendations to prevent recurrent cystitis
- Drink plenty of water: 2 liters per day.
- Frequent urination: do not hold the urge to urinate, urinate every 3 hours even if you do not feel like it, urinate without haste to ensure complete emptying of the bladder.
- Always wash or dry your genitals from front to back to avoid dragging germs around the anus.
- Urinate after sexual intercourse to expel any germs that may be found in the urethra. In young women when post-coital cystitis occurs, it is advisable that the urologist recommends a treatment, sometimes in single doses.
- For vaginal hygiene use intimate soaps of neutral PH. Do not wash with intimate soap every time you urinate, as it alters the vaginal pH. Showering is better than bathing.
- Use cotton underwear and change quickly from wet bathing suit to avoid humidity. Use panty liners infrequently or change them frequently.
- Avoid coffee, alcohol, soft drinks, which are irritating substances for the bladder.
- Do not smoke.
By following these recommendations we will largely avoid these cystitis and thus we will not have to use so many antibiotics in order not to create resistance.
What are the consequences if not treated correctly?
The consequences, apart from antibiotic resistance, can be as serious as the development of repeated kidney infections, chronic renal failure and dialysis.