 |
Cystitis
Cystitis is a bladder infection causing inflammation and irritation. The symptoms can include: pain when urinating (dysuria), frequency - a frequent need to urinate, urgency - and urgency to urinate, cloudy urine, blood in the urine (haematuria) and a strong odour.
As an infection is involved, it is absolutely essential to see a doctor who will prescribe an antibiotic and perhaps take a urine sample for analysis. Treatment should not be delayed.
It is important to have good fluid intake, but avoid tea or coffee. Cranberry juice is said to relieve the symptoms.
It is also advisable to shower rather than have a bath.
If bladder infections persist there is a chance of the kidneys becoming infected and specialist treatment may be recommended. See Recurring Bladder Infections for more information.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial Cystitis is a chronically painful bladder. The pain can vary from case to case or from time to time from mild to intense. As the bladder fills, the irritation increases and so sufferers urinate frequently and often the need is urgent.
There is a great variation in symptoms and so many specialists believe that "interstitial cystitis" may be applied to many different diseases that are not fully understood.
A cure for Interstitial Cystitis has not yet been found but there are treatments which provide temporary relief of the symptoms.
Bladder stretching has been shown to give a majority of IC sufferers relief for varying periods of time ranging from weeks to months and even years.
The following web sites provide good information in Interstitial Cystitis and alternative treatment options: