Home Remedies For Cystitis - Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice

Cystitis is among the commonest of infections and all women probably know the following simple remedies which are included here. Increasing the fluid intake to 'flush out' the bladder and reducing the acidity of the urine with one or other of the alkaline type compounds available from the chemist are useful. Persistent attacks require antibiotics which will also prevent the infection spreading up to the kidneys.

Water: Drinking two or three liters of water over twenty-four hours will increase the urine flow. It is advised that enough should be drunk to make the urine a pale yellow color. In addition, a hot bath is very effective in relieving the pain of cystitis.

Alkalis: The burning sensation of cystitis is due to the acidity of the urine and is neutralized by one and a half teaspoonfuls of bicarbonate of soda in water or, if preferred, soda water or one or other of the proprietary preparations available from the chemist.

Cranberry juice: There is good evidence that cranberry juice prevents bacteria sticking to the wall of the bladder, and it is a good home remedies for cystitis. Ocean Spray is a good brand of pure juice, unmixed with anything else. Dr A. E. Sobota from Ohio comments:

'The potential use of cranberry juice in the treatment of urinary tract infections might be particularly beneficial in the management of those who suffer recurrent infections. Long term preventative measures with antibiotics present several problems including toxicity, side effects and the emergence of resistant bacteria. In contrast cranberry juice is well accepted and no clinical side effects have been observed.’

For those particularly prone to recurrent infections the following two suggestions may prove useful.

Sex: Sexual intercourse encourages the passage of bacteria up the urethra to cause bladder infections, so it is probably advisable to pass urine soon after intercourse—and for the fastidious — before as well.

Diaphragms and tampons: The insertion of diaphragms and tampons into the vagina may increase the risk of cystitis. It is worth considering alternative forms of contraception and a sanitary towel should be used instead of tampons. Check out this blog for more information about home remedies for cystitis.