It’s easy to tell when something isn’t right “down there.” Perhaps urinating has become more painful or you’re urinating more often. Depending on your symptoms, you could have a common type of infection called a urinary tract infection or a UTI.

What is a UTI?

A urinary tract infection is an infection that develops in any part of your urinary systems such as your bladder, kidneys, or the connection to them. The most common types of UTIs are urethritis (bacteria from the anus that spreads to the urethra), vaginitis (infection of the vagina), pyelonephritis (infection of the kidneys), and cystitis (inflammation of the bladder).

Cystitis

Cystitis accounts for a large percentage of UTI cases each year in the UK and is an inflammation of the bladder that’s usually caused by a bacterium called E. coli. Cystitis is rarely a serious medical condition, but it can cause distressing and uncomfortable symptoms.

Common symptoms of cystitis include:

• Pain or burning when urinating
• Increased urination
• Feeling strong urges and persistent urges to urinate
• Abdominal pain or pressure
• Feeling flu-like
• Cloudy, foul-smelling urine
• Blood in the urine

What Causes a UTI?

Urinary tract infections are almost always the result of bacteria entering the urinary tract through the urethra. Once the bacteria is inside your urinary system it begins to multiply rapidly, causing an infection. 

Your urinary system is well-designed to avoid this type of intrusion but sometimes bacteria manages to sneak its way through, especially in women due to having a shorter urethra. Women tend to get UTIs more often than men for several reasons, including: 

• Being sexually active
• Using contraceptives like spermicide or diaphragms
• Being menopausal or post-menopausal
• Using douches or soaps in the genital region

Men are more likely to experience cystitis or other bladder infections if they have an enlarged prostate or issues fully emptying the bladder.

Other risk factors for both men and women include being diabetic, having a compromised immune system, undergoing cancer treatment, using a catheter, or having kidney stones.

UTI Prevention

If you have recurrent UTIs or just want to make your chances of getting one less likely, there are several measures you can take to improve your bladder and urinary tract health.

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
• Wipe front to back after using the toilet
• Take fewer baths
• Avoid the use of scented soaps, perfumes, and similar products in your genital region
• Always fully empty your bladder when you go
• Never ignore the urge to go
• Urinate after sex
• Avoid wearing tight underwear and clothing for long periods of time

Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are most often treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor or medical professional such as Nitrofurantoin Tablets and Trimethoprim Tablets. Be sure to take the entire course of your prescribed antibiotics even if you start feeling better. Stopping treatment prematurely makes you more likely to have recurrent infections because the previous infection hasn’t fully cleared up.

You should also drink plenty of water to help flush the bacteria out of your body. If you have abdominal pain, apply a heating pad to the painful area.

If you have a UTI, visit Pharmacy Planet to get relief from your uncomfortable symptoms. Visit us today and buy effective and proven cystitis medication like Nitrofurantoin tablets and Trimethoprim for cystitis online in the UK.