Cystitis

• Cystitis

  Inflammation of the bladder, caused by bladder infection
• Symptoms of cystitis

  • Dysuria (pain on urination)
  • Increased frequency of urination
  • Urgency to urinate
  • Cloudy and smelly urine
• Causes of cystitis

  • Dehydration
  • Diabetes
  • Weakened immune system
  • Wiping from back to front
  • Catheter insertion
  • Tight clothes
  • New toiletries (soaps, douches, shower gels)
• When to refer for cystitis

  • Symptoms that do not improve after 3 days (or after 28 hours of treatment)
  • Recurrent bouts of cystitis
  • Blood in the urine
  • Fever
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (suspect pyelonephritis)
  • Lower back pain/loin pain/ Flank pain (suspect pyelonephritis)
  • Male with symptoms of cystitis
  • Pregnant with symptoms of cystitis
  • Child with symptoms of cystitis
• Potassium Citrate

  Reduces the acidity of the urine -> reduce the burning sensation when passing urine
• Potassium changes the acidity of urine, so stop if nitrofurantoin prescribed
• Potassium citrate can cause hyperkalemia at large doses, not to be given with care with potassium sparing diuretics, aldosterone antagonists or ACE inhibitors
• Potassium citrate mixture

  5ml well diluted with water, To be taken three times a day, after food
• Cystopurin sachets

  Dissolve in water and drink one sachet three times a day, 48hr course
• Sodium Citrate

  Reduces the acidity of the urine -> reduce the burning sensation when passing urine
• Sodium Citrate

  Dissolve in water and take one sachet three times a day for 2 days
• Pain Relief

  • Paracetamol
  • Ibuprofen
• Counselling for cystitis

  • Drink plenty of water (to flush out bacteria) 2.5L
  • Hot water bottle on the stomach
  • Cranberry juice - limited evidence
  • Don't avoid the urge to pass urine
  • Wipe from front to back
  • Wear cotton underwear not synthetic
  • Avoid perfumed bubble baths/ fragranced products
  • Showers better than baths